Bamboo Removal

Bamboo is one of the hardest plants to get rid of properly. Cutting the canes down is the easy part. The real problem is underground, where a dense mass of rhizomes keeps sending up new shoots long after the visible bamboo is gone. Razor Blade Tree Specialists removes bamboo with that in mind, so you are not paying to have the same job done again next year.

We are a family owned business based in Narre Warren North and have been working across Melbourne's South East since 2006.

 

Why bamboo comes back

Bamboo spreads through underground stems called rhizomes. How it behaves depends on which type you have.

• Running bamboo has long rhizomes that travel outwards and put up new canes some distance from the original plant. The rhizomes can keep running unless the growing tip is damaged, which is how running bamboo ends up under fences, through garden beds and into the neighbour's yard.

• Clumping bamboo has short rhizomes that stay in a tight, dense root mass. It spreads far more slowly, but the clump itself can be very large and heavy.

With both types, any piece of rhizome left in the ground can resprout. That is why simply cutting bamboo at ground level rarely works. The plant draws on the energy stored underground and pushes up new shoots.

 

How we remove bamboo

Every job starts with a free, no-obligation quote. We work out whether the bamboo is running or clumping, how far it has spread, and what access there is for equipment.

A typical bamboo removal looks like this:

1. Cut the canes. Our crew cuts all canes down and feeds them through our chipper. Bamboo canes are hard and bulky, so having the chipper on site makes a big difference.

2. Expose the root mass. We clear around the base so we can see the extent of the rhizome clump and any runners heading out from it.

3. Deal with the rhizomes. Depending on access and the size of the clump, we dig out or grind the root mass and follow runners as far as practical. This is the step that decides whether the bamboo comes back.

4. Clean up. Canes, rhizome material and debris are removed and the site is left clean.

Our own crew does every job. We do not use subcontractors, and a Level 5 qualified arborist oversees the work.

You can see some of our before and after bamboo work on our tree removal page.

 

After removal: what to watch for

Even with careful removal, small rhizome pieces can be missed, especially with running bamboo that has travelled under paving, fences or neighbouring gardens. If a few shoots appear in the following months, cut them off at soil level as soon as you see them. Without leaves, the remaining rhizome cannot feed itself and will run out of energy.

If you want to keep some bamboo but stop it spreading, a root barrier is the usual approach. A barrier is a solid sheet sunk vertically into the ground around the planting, with a lip left above the surface so you can see and cut any rhizomes that try to cross it. Any gap or break in the barrier lets rhizomes through, so it needs to be installed and checked properly.

 

Bamboo in Melbourne's South East

Bamboo is often planted along back and side fences as a fast screen. With running types, that puts the rhizomes right beside the boundary, where they can cross under the fence into the next property.

If bamboo is crossing a shared fence, the most effective result usually comes from dealing with both sides at once. We can only work on land we have permission to access, so it is worth talking to your neighbour before the job is booked.

Permit rules vary between councils. Planning overlays such as a Vegetation Protection Overlay or Environmental Significance Overlay can require a permit for vegetation work, so if your property is covered by one, or the bamboo is part of a larger area of vegetation, check with your council first.

 

Why choose Razor Blade

• Family owned and operating since 2006

• Level 5 qualified arborist

• Our own crew on every job, no subcontractors

• Fully insured with $20 million public liability

• Truck, chipper and stump grinder on site

• Standard hours 7am to 5pm

• Free quotes, no obligation

• Site left clean

• 16 five-star Google reviews

 

Areas we cover

We remove bamboo across Melbourne's South East, including:

• City of Casey: Berwick, Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, Narre Warren North, Hallam, Hampton Park, Endeavour Hills, Doveton, Cranbourne, Clyde North

• Cardinia: Beaconsfield, Pakenham, Officer, Emerald

• Greater Dandenong: Springvale, Dandenong, Keysborough, Noble Park

• Kingston: Dingley Village, Mordialloc, Cheltenham, Mentone

 

Bamboo removal FAQs

Can I just cut bamboo down to the ground?

You can, but it will almost always come back. The rhizomes underground store a lot of energy and will keep sending up new shoots. Repeatedly cutting new growth will eventually starve the plant, but it can take a long time.

How do I know if my bamboo is running or clumping?

Running bamboo puts up canes spread out from the main plant, often well away from where it was planted. Clumping bamboo stays in a tight cluster. We will identify it when we quote.

Will bamboo come back after professional removal?

The aim is to remove the root mass so it does not. With running bamboo, small pieces of rhizome can be missed under paths, fences or neighbouring land. Cutting any new shoots at soil level straight away stops them from re-establishing.

Can bamboo damage fences or paving?

Running bamboo rhizomes travel underground and can come up through garden beds, under fences and beside paving. Dealing with it early limits how far it spreads.

Do you take the bamboo away?

Yes. Canes are chipped on site and all material is removed. We leave the site clean.

Can you put in a barrier to contain bamboo I want to keep?

A root barrier is the usual way to contain bamboo you want to keep. Talk to us at the quote stage and we can discuss what your site needs.

 

Get rid of bamboo for good

If bamboo has taken over a corner of your yard, or is coming through from next door, we can help. Call Razor Blade Tree Specialists on 0481 111 804 or email info@razorbladetreespecialists.com.au for a free, no-obligation quote.