HOW TO REMOVE BAMBOO ROOTS FROM THE GROUND 

I thought you were out of shape until I tried to remove my own bamboo, and now I know how hard it is. Thanks for the tip, it's the only one that worked. I used a block to help with the lever. 👍🏻

Little known trivia... when you stab a bamboo root it says Hi!

I can absolutely attest to just how useful a pressure-washer is in digging up plants. My little PW puts out 1600psi, about enough for cleaning the patio and truck. With the jet nozzle on it, I can cut a trench, edge a driveway, and go down the full length of the wand in just seconds. Best of all, it exposes any tough roots well enough that you can reach in there with some loppers to cut them, I removed three large shrubs from the front yard in about 20 minutes, with zero digging. Never even thought about getting a shovel out of the shed! Mark, over at Self Sufficient Me, was talking about The Prong, and it's proven really handy as a lever or pry bar. I haven't yet tried one on bamboo, but what I really like about it is how they designed in that step so you can get your weight on it.... but the step also acts as a secondary fulcrum so you can rip out some really tough roots! Well worth the money, imo, especially considering how economical they are. Something to look up, maybe. It's definitely been a boon for me.

Great idea. I had to use a grubbing axe that is at least an axe you dont mind blunting and potentially breaking. Bamboo roots really are tough to get out. The wrecking bar is a great idea as is water pressure. If no pressure hose, I reckon its worth soaking the ground prior to working. Good advice.

waterlog the ground, bore two holes on each side at a angle meeting in centre under roots, pull a chain through, then lift the entire clump out with a farm jack. I have removed entire clumps over 1sqm that way.

I love bamboo and was going to grow some in my backyard. After watch this video I changed my mind.

My son just completed the removal of clumping bamboo using this method. The bar actually bent! It was very heavy work but it took about 3 hours. The area was 2 ft wide by 3 feet long. I planted one single bamboo 4 years ago and that is how much it spread. I tried the salt, vinegar and soap method to no avail. Now I will tackle the papyrus which is also very hellish in its agression. My son will use the same method.

Going to try just this! Neighbors yard has a forest of bamboo and it grew into ours. Recently cut all the shoots and plan on attacking the roots after we attempt to contain the edges of our property line with a bamboo shield. Thanks for these tips!

Yeah, I concur from Japan. I used a shovel to break the root system, but applying leverager to lift up the roots nearly broke the wooden handle on my shovel. I will go at it again with a steel bar- mind you the area is about 600 sq m. Either I'll break them or they'll break me.

Thank you for the video. I used the same tool and was able to remove a large root ball in about 90 minutes.

I tried using a chain saw, can confirm it went dull fast, like cutting concrete. I have also used the wrecking bar but best way I found is dig down next to the bamboo under the root line, then use a flat steel stake with the end sharpened. Drive the stake down about 6-8 inches away from the edge into the bamboo, work your way across the bamboo then use leverage wrecking bar to push the root ball away into the hole in the side next to it, it comes out in clumps of roots, then just work your way down. Similar to this but no less labor savings. Bamboo is PITA to remove anyway you chose.

A Milwaukee ax Sawzall blades 12inch 3tpi will cut the roots even in dirt. That damn blade made a nice cut in the fence post concrete when I accidently tried to cut it. It also helps to use a 2x4 under the pry bar as a fulcrum. That said, the bamboo I deal with is way bigger than what you have. The shoots are 2 inches in diameter and the root balls are hard to lift. I would use a pry bar like you did for that kind of bamboo.

Thank you for taking the time to put together this helpful video. I just purchased ‘The Slammer Tool’ for this purpose and I sure hope it works quicker than a wrecking bar 😄! Thanks again!

I just did this and I wouldn't wanna be you. Pick axe, spade and wrecking bar. Mostly pick axe and spade. Dug the whole thing up, clumps everywhere under the roots. It will kill your back, no matter what you use it's a nightmare.

If you are going to poke holes anyway maybe punching several holes before you began prying, would loose the roots up. Interesting video, leverage is you friend.

about to pull some bamboo roots tomorrow and great vids by the way I'm glad to find this but how I wish there's an easier way :(

Yes, the key is getting rid of the roots. There can be so many roots weaving in all directions. Thus, making it much harder to pry out. Most bamboo roots will be not much more than 6 to 8 inches below the surface, usually much less. There is a special condition that makes it so much harder. Aired environment + dry clay soil + years of mole tunnels! This allows many of the roots to to go so much deeper and take a lot of unusual paths. In areas that we don't want ANYTHING to grow, you can dig deep along the stem and roots, and add a hell of slot of salt. However, that only affects that small area. If you could get a bulldozer and dig out a few feet deep, that will do the trick. Remember the periphery, they will be back if you don't get it ALL. Bamboos are a grass(worlds largest) and propagate by runners...

your a genius pal. been struggling for 2weeks with a huge bamboo plant. best part of 3m in diameter. ruined a chainsaw and a stihl saw. Tryed this and it was out in 48hrs

thank you all for 100 subscribers! Please get this video to 100k views! Ty

Bamboo is the worst stuff to eliminate. You have to break through the root mat, pile it and burn it as soon as you tear it up. The pile you removed will start growing if there is any moisture for it to use. It is a great work out program. Some jack hammers (normally used on tile and concrete) have a spade attachment they will work on cutting up the root mass too.

works well combination of water blaster and cut squares, and then remove with the bar .... job done !

A sawzall with a wood blade is both more efficient and cheaper than the chainsaw...however, as you said, you dont want to dig underground with it... An indexable pry bar is usually the better option for pulling up the rhizomes...make sure you dont buy the extendable one. Your "wrecking bar" is actually called a digging bar, but it doesnt have the angle necessary for leverage and it does tend to bend. An actual wrecking bar, aka a crowbar, has the angle but they dont generally come thick enough to actually pull up the bamboo without an extension pipe attached and even then theyre prone to bending. The water jetter is an excellent idea, however, as its actually the weight of the dirt that the bamboo clings to that prevents it from coming up easily.

Tip. Drill a hole into the root ball with an old fashioned brace and bit. Then drive the bar into that hole. It makes penetration much easier. Allows you to break up the roots in clumps. Must be about 8 inches deep and repeat drill a couple of times to open it up. Use a big bit obviously.

I tried your method and after several weeks of trying and ruining a huge chunk of my yard, I watch another video where he used a reciprocating saw, I know you adviced against it, but I gave it a shot... honestly the saw worked so much better, when the blade hit the rhizome not only did it cut the root but it shook it vigorously, this loosened the soil allowing you to pull the whole thing out much much easier... I even had some friends take some pieces for themselves after seeing as the whole plant came out of the ground in tact... I did blunten a saw blade but I think that's worth the price of efficiency... thank you for your advice but the saw is a much quicker and easier way to remove the bamboo... Also in your later video you showed concrete under the fence you'd built but what is your plan for stopping the rhizome from growing under the concrete or through it? I had pavers and concrete fall to pieces while I was digging it up because the root had actually grown straight through..

Aaron, I could have watched much more if this! I would love to see more process and also how the soil ends up at the end of it.

I've done the same method but using a trench digging tool that has a wider blade at the end which helped get more out but still be targeted in the removal site. its all metal so you can use it lever as well.

The power saw method does work. I even use a blunt blade. Removing bamboo from containers and the ground. Cut down the bamboo. Dig as much soil away to start then start cutting away at the roots. Use force to pull up the roots from the soil once cut. Recheck the cleared area for stray roots. It’s always a hard job. With the pressure wash you make a mess and mash up the form of the soil.

Got rid of mine by cutting it all the way down to about 2 inches off the ground poured a little gas on roots waited a few weeks until they were fully dead then dug them up. They were a lot easier to dig up after they were dead.

Very tight spot there mate. With the wall and all...I guess that's the property line. Is this a non clumping boo? I use to do palm trees for a living, and we had a dyna digger, More or less of a jackhammer with a spade blade and two cycle engine, reciprocating. Worked well on palm roots, but not good for deciduous trees. When I do a clump of bamboo (if not to big) dig all around it. Leave most of the middle canes and pull it over, Then wash off the roots, so I can cut it up... Well done job by the way..

Was wondering how many hours did it take to clear that entire piece of ground?

Good video, very useful, I have to dig out a bamboo privacy screen that I stupidly planted some years ago, it is very tough, looks like it's going to be a very long job.

Thank you. A warning to everyone, don't plant golden bamboo in the ground, it will spread everywhere!!!

Thank you for showing us this method.

can a person use a smaller jackhammer with a shovel tip to puncture through the clumps of root ?

i followed your trick and it works great! Thank you

Looks great. I combined every tool i have. I love the !tecipricator saw. I cant wait to use the water blasted suoer idea!!!!. I love your long pole idea. And the power of leverage!!! Did it grow back ir not??

Thankfully most root in l foot of surface but it fills the surface layer with a rigid lattice and kills out everything else.

Guys I've removed alot of bamboo I find that using loppers to cut canes off. Then use a pick axe to cut 1ft squares of it out. It's very very labor intensive but the roots only go down about 4-8 inches but so tightly matted up make it very tough.

Hey mate! What about using a gas powered auger/ post hole digger to drill several holes around the base and then come back with the wrecking bar

Ty for 100k views and 170 subscribers! Let's try get 200 subscribers. Also one of my two sons Carter will be making more videos for the channel!!

Thank you for this video. The pressure washer idea makes a lot of sense. I need to take out my bamboo because it’s gotten too invasive. Time to replace it with a fruit tree 😊

In my opinion the roots will grow back in a year. The bamboo plants on the other side of the plants will grow and push down the fence in a few years.

Le recomiendo un martillo demoledor con un cincel de forma de barra para evitar el esfuerzo excesivo.

I have dug out all the clumps of bamboo. They are gone, but the thin thread roots remain. Do I need to deal with them? Eg with boiling water?

Juat moved in to a house and trying to battle bambo looks like the neighbors started this mess a long time ago now its up to me to try and save this yard of this nasty shit

Seen my Bamboo send roots out 60 feet under ground. The horizontal root comes in about 9" sections ,each capable of starting a new bamboo system all by itself. Trick is to lop off a bamboo stalk about 3-5 foot high and within 30 second pour a half teaspoon of Roundup into the "cup" of the stalk. That will kill the root for about 5ft in each direction. Diesel, gas or bleach will kill the stalk and the 18" long section of root on ether side. The best mechanical removal method is a strong tractor with a 12" deep plow. Or cross cutting the area with a trench digger after stalks have been cut.

Use a Corona Trench Shovel,,, works amazingly better than anything i have tried.

Yeah so I have absolutely a massive patch of golden bamboo roots to dig up. Have a excavator coming eventually to rip them up. I will use my wrecking bar for the smaller roots on the outside diameter of the patch.

Great 👍 just the advice I needed.

I'll give it ago looks like a lot of hard work. I wish I had just kept it in the large planter I got it in lol.

Look at the B'root Bar root cutting tool. Very close to the tool you are using except it is fitted with an axe head. A vertical axe. It's awesome.

Good tips bro. I've been chipping away at mine for four years now and had some success slowly rotting out sections, but super keen to make a bigger dent in it. Ours had probably been neglected for 20-30 years and is almost one and a half metres deep at one end trying to get an even 700mm off the fence line to claim back some yard. Eventually will put a mowing strip/bit of paving around it to help contain it. I've pondered whacking some warratahs in with a sheet of corrugated horizontal (same as fence) to box it in a bit and make trimming it a bit easier, by not having to hit the low stuff - do you reckon that would work, or am I better off just leaving it open?

if you own a well for water you can not use anything that could destroy your well water, or anyone near you

Axe and spade... Job done. ;) Oh and use a decent hedge trimmer instead of a chainsaw. I chopped down 20 meters of this stuff in a single go with my stihl hedge trimmer and it was still perfectly sharp enough to do customers hedges afterwards without needing a sharpen.

Took me a few weeks to get all thoughs roots out used a smaller crow bar for leverage the neighbour lent me a pick axe and I was meticulous with getting every single wee root and tuber out of that soil that's hard graft . My advice to anyone buying bamboo is keep it potted only ! and put it on a patio do not plant in garden .

The Bamboo Slammer tool is what you need. Expensive, but worth it. It’s a hard job regardless of what tool you have!

Hi, I’ve got a mature thicket to remove, having listened to you vid, especially blunting chain saw, I have a Stihl petrol angle grinder with £150 diamond blade…. That should do it, dyer think?

Is that the runner babmoo the one that runners spread or the clumb one...thankd

I use an old sharpened felling axe to break through a small section then use the demo bar, either way its hard graft, all the best.

Use a sawzall!

They say if you cover the ground with black plastic youl kill bambo as it’s starved of sunlight

Thanks mate. I ended up using a double ended hoe. It was a good tool for the job, but still a bit slow process. I'll get a high lift jack tomorrow and try it out

Tracey was determined to say hello

how many years did it end up taking?

this looks like pure work, next video

Is this running bamboo or clumping?

Will rhizomes reform off of roots or is it sufficient to only pull out the rhizomes and leave the roots underground?

It helps to wet the ground a lot if you can.

How deep are the travelling part of the roots going actually?

You know everybody was watching this to find an easier way. I have found the pressure washer and the wrecking bar to to be the most efficient method also.

It will take you a week to clear that area. Call in the bobcat.

Honestly I use a sharp pic ax with the flat end , n a blower instead of water to expose the roots better

Removing bamboo is hazardous to ones to health. The absolute worst trying to remove these things. They should be outlawed to grow worldwide.

Mate, I just spent 6 hrs, busted the head on one matic, handle on another, only found success with axe filled by matic. And this was for thick cluster with 1500mm diameter. Don't know why I didn't think of crow bar. 😭

All I’m looking at is the fence posts…digging those was no joke

This a nightmare for us, and the ex owner planted the bamboo. Now we have tried and paid so much money. Finally, we decided to rent a heavy-duty machine like a backhoe digger to just uproot it.w

I'm having a mare getting rid of a 2m square. Good luck with that lot. A small bar on the side to kick the wrecking bar in to the ground would help with this technique. It's more native to you guys down under. My question in the UK is why grow this bugger of a plant here. 👎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇺

Has anyone tried dousing the roots in vinegar?

This looks too difficult. I would rather rent a backhoe and scoop up the whole area. Throw it over the fence into the neighbor’s yard.

But it just keeps growing back! 😩😩😩 I’m at my wits end!

1 pound of road salt per square foot. Be careful of run off. Don’t listen to strangers.

Blimey. Here in Worcestershire UK I’ve got a big clump growing right next to my conservatory and next doors garden. My plan is to cut it down to the ground and then use a chemical to kill it. I am 66 and the physical work is getting too tough now. Any comments or suggestions welcome. Getting someone to do it is an option but an expense.

We call that bar a 'Chisel Point Crowbar'.

Nice

THANK YOU!!!!!

Hand tools and bamboo removal do not go together .......

quite a hard labor. if you can live with your land not being able to grow anything, you can simply use a weed root remover.

Can't hear very well

Just Soak The Ground with Water Take your Spade put A Sharp Edge on It Get them out I Do it Every day / if The Ground Is Moist You Can Get them Right Out. Not a Problem Walmart Power Nozzle and its No Challenge At All

The bar is nice but a pickaxe will work just fine

Thank you. T)

I used a pick axe . Works a treat

Yep, that's only way to do it. Unless you want to go rent a mini backhoe and just dig up the whole area.

If that didn't kill you next time you're in Bournemouth can you come and do ours ?

I feel bad for you. That looks like you’ll be doing that forever....

Damn. I'd rather just use a water blaster to blast away the soil . LOL

saw it first

I bet a little dynamite would do the trick.

You Are Working To Hard at Thing that's easy to Remove From The Ground. Simply Take A Spade Walk Up to The Mother Plant push The Spade Down until You Hit The Root move Back do it Again So you No Which Way Its Running Wet The Ground Step To The Side Push The Spade under The Root Pry Up move Down A Couple Feet D I it Again Find The Root Using Your Hand And Pull Up but Don't Break It Of That's Why You Need Wet Soil. Comes Up Easy They Only 3 Or 4 Inches Deep

His voice is difficult to hear and his accent is very British or Australian…hard to understand.