Bamboo for screening?

[EarthySpirit]

My wife and I were walking in a park today and I was telling her I need to create screening for my access points. She pointed to my left and said, what about that bamboo? Well, I've never heard of bamboo used for screening, so it makes me wonder if there is something about it that is problematic, but thought I'd ask. It was tall and thick and certainly would serve the purpose. Anyone know about this as an option? Its dead of winter, and it was about 7-8 feet tall and green. hmmmmm.

 

[Telemark]

Bamboo is a nightmare. It can sprout up 50 feet away and it grows fast. And it's tough stuff. We had constant problems with it in China, and my aunt has issues with it at her house in Ohio.

It is outstanding and versatile as a material, but it is extremely difficult to control.

 

[chickenlittle]

I believe some are easier to control than others. I believe those are called "clumping" rather than "running" Definitely want to thoroughly research before trying. And rely on multiple resources about invasiveness of a variety, not just the nursery offering it for sale.

 

[Native Hunter]

There are native and non-native bamboos. The non-natives are the bad ones you want to avoid.

The natives in KY get about 9-12 feet tall. They stay green looking in the winter, and they make great screening. I have a patch in my back yard that I started by digging up roots and transplanting them. One good thing is that they are like a grass - you can spray them with 24D or Crossbow to eliminate woody competition that may creep up and it won't hurt the bamboo. Rich fertile soil is preferred and light to moderate shade if okay for it to thrive. It will grow well at the edge of a woods but not deep in the woods.

But, we don't call it bamboo. We call it "Cane." In fact, the state is named after it (CANE TUCKY) = Kentucky.

 

[Native Hunter]

 

[Native Hunter]

Good article on Cane restoration:

http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/tom-eblen/article44375268.html

The point about it wanting to spread is true. In the spring I see it wanting to spread into my mowed yard, but after a couple of mowings it gives up until the next year.

 

[rocksnstumps]

Patrick
Google the term canebrake and see if historically it survives in your local area. I have seen it in patches in AR usually somewhere close to water

 

[EarthySpirit]

Chicken Little is right about the two types of bamboo, clumping or running. Apparently the clubs do not run and are better. Don’t have to worry about cutting them back all the time. I will continue to research.

 

[Someday isle]

The only thing I now about bamboo is that a couple neighborhoods down from mine there is a house that had a bamboo screen along the road. It’s now on the other side of the road and taking over. I’m sure there’s more than one kind of bamboo but I’d be extra careful. I know in this one instance it’s been more than invasive.

 

[EarthySpirit]

Thanks Native Hunter. Looks like we're in the same zone, perhaps 50 miles or so from each other. I know they grow year around in our local park in Lexington, should be the same a hour and a half north of lexington at my land. I love it that is so thick and tall. But I don't want it to take over, thats for sure. I'll look into it some more...

 

[Jack The Ripper]

Funny this came up. I ordered 15 (all they had at the time) to start a screen inside the woods line this spring. It is correct you want the clumping variety and most likely some type of fargesia. They can thrive in full shade, exceed 10’ and are evergreen.
The down side is it can be extremely expensive depending how far your going and how quickly you want to do it.

 

[chickenlittle]

Funny this came up. I ordered 15 (all they had at the time) to start a screen inside the woods line this spring. It is correct you want the clumping variety and most likely some type of fargesia. They can thrive in full shade, exceed 10’ and are evergreen.
The down side is it can be extremely expensive depending how far your going and how quickly you want to do it.

After looking at some of the clumping bamboos, it seemed like they would be nice for an old evergreen screen that has lost the lower limbs and doesn't screen anymore. Plant the bamboo down between the rows of spruce or pine. Like you said, it would not be cheap to establish. To be cost effective, you almost need start your own nursery and keep splitting them until you have enough.

Another thing I was not aware of is that a cloned line of bamboo only has about a 100 year lifespan before they flower and die. Many of the clones were imported long enough ago that some have already flowered and died out. Some of the retailers gathered seed from those and were able to start new lines to clone.