By Emily Rivers
Last updated 9th May 2024

Bamboo is popular in many gardens thanks to its fast-growing nature – it’s ideal for privacy screening. However, this also makes it invasive, and it can often spread into neighbours’ gardens, causing disputes. If you need to remove bamboo from your garden to stop it spreading, read on to find out how much it will cost.

How much does bamboo removal cost?

Bamboo can be a beautiful addition to a garden, but it's also known for its aggressive growth and invasive nature. When it becomes unruly or unwanted, removing bamboo can be a challenging task.

The cost of bamboo removal in the UK varies depending on factors such as the size of the bamboo grove, accessibility and the method of removal. On average, you can expect to pay between £300 to £1000 for a landscaper to remove bamboo.

Item

Average cost

Landscaper

£25 per hour

Bamboo survey

£359

Bamboo removal in a small garden

£650

Glyphosate herbicide

£30 per 5 litres

Bamboo removal cost

Factors affecting the cost of bamboo removal

Size/area of bamboo growth: The more bamboo you have, the more it will cost to remove. Larger areas of bamboo will require more time, labour and resources to remove, resulting in higher costs.

Accessibility: The accessibility of the bamboo plays a crucial role in determining the cost of removal. If the bamboo is located in a hard-to-reach area or has limited access it may require specialised equipment or additional labour, increasing the overall cost.

Type of bamboo: Different species of bamboo may require different removal techniques, which can affect the cost. Some species, such as running bamboo, are more aggressive and challenging to eradicate than clumping varieties, requiring more extensive removal methods.

Root system: Bamboo has a complex and extensive root system that can be difficult to remove entirely. Running bamboo has underground runners, or rhizomes, that can spread far from the main plant, causing faster spread. This can make it more difficult to remove every single rhizome without it coming back. The depth and spread of the roots influence the complexity of the removal process and therefore the cost.

Your location: Where you live has one of the biggest impacts on bamboo removal costs. The cost of living varies across the UK, which means landscapers will charge different rates based on where they live.

Running vs clumping bamboo

You can generally fit most species of bamboo into two categories: running and clumping. Both can have their challenges when it comes to removal.

Running bamboo

Running bamboo spreads very quickly. You’ll know if you have running bamboo because it sends out rhizomes underground which can lead to new growth far from the parent plant. If you’ve got new canes popping up everywhere, the chances are it’s running bamboo.

Pros

  • Fast-growing privacy screens

  • Less expensive than clumping types

  • Good for planting in containers

Cons

  • Hard to contain if planted in the ground

  • Will spread and could invade neighbouring properties or unwanted areas

  • Requires extensive trench digging to remove rhizomes

Clumping bamboo

Clumping bamboo has a much shorter root system, so it tends not to spread far. It usually forms circular clumps, and will grow tall more quickly than running bamboo. If you plant it in an area that’s smaller than recommended, it won’t grow as tall.

Pros

  • Provides dense screening over time

  • Doesn’t spread as quickly or as far as running bamboo

  • Offers great ornamental accents in gardens

Cons

  • Roots can put pressure on nearby structures like fences if left unmanaged

  • Not suitable for narrow containers as roots will push through

  • Takes longer to provide a full privacy screen

How do professionals remove bamboo?

Professional bamboo removal typically involves a combination of methods tailored to the specific characteristics of the bamboo. Common techniques include:

Cutting and digging: Cutting down the bamboo stalks and digging up the rhizomes (underground stems) to prevent regrowth. It’s labour-intensive, but removing all the rhizomes or roots is the only way to assure that the bamboo won’t regrow.

Chemical treatment: Applying herbicides such as glyphosate to kill the bamboo and prevent regrowth. This method should be done carefully as you could kill other plants in the area, and multiple applications may be required.

Barrier installation: Installing root barriers to prevent the spread of bamboo rhizomes and contain the growth. These barriers can be made from bamboo or metal, and must be laid deep in the ground as rhizomes are good at growing down to find an escape route.

Speak to your landscaper about which methods they are planning to use before they start work so you understand whether further maintenance will be required.

Can a stump grinder remove bamboo roots?

Stump grinders are effective for removing the visible portion of bamboo stalks but may not be suitable for removing the extensive underground root system. While grinding the cut canes can help facilitate the removal process, additional methods such as digging or chemical treatment may be necessary to eradicate the bamboo roots entirely.

Will bamboo grow back if it's cut down?

Bamboo is resilient and can regrow from the rhizomes even after the above-ground stalks are cut down. To prevent regrowth, it's essential to remove or treat the underground rhizomes effectively.

If you don’t want to remove your bamboo entirely but want to contain it, you may want to consider hiring a gardener for regular maintenance so they can deal with regrowth as soon as it appears.

How do you stop bamboo from spreading?

To prevent bamboo from spreading uncontrollably, there are a few things you need to do:

Barrier installation: The most effective way to stop bamboo from spreading is to install root barriers to block the spread of bamboo rhizomes. The best material to use as a root barrier is HDPE, a type of strong plastic.

Regular maintenance: Every time you notice a new shoot where it shouldn’t be, pull it up and dig out the rhizome to prevent it from returning. Dig out clumps that form too close to fences or retaining walls.

Vigilant monitoring: On top of your regular maintenance, you need to monitor the bamboo to spot any signs of spread in between maintenance tasks. Promptly address any signs of new growth or spreading by digging out, creating new barriers or using herbicides.

Do tree surgeons remove bamboo?

While tree surgeons primarily specialise in the care and maintenance of trees, some may offer bamboo removal as part of their broader range of services. However, it's essential to confirm with the tree surgeon whether they have experience and equipment for bamboo removal before hiring them for the job.

Should I get rid of bamboo in my garden?

Whether to remove bamboo from your garden depends on your preferences, the species of bamboo and the specific circumstances. While bamboo can provide privacy, beauty and habitat for wildlife, it can also become invasive and challenging to control.

If the bamboo is causing problems such as spreading into neighbouring properties or overwhelming other plants, it may be best to consider removing it. Consulting with a professional landscaper or bamboo removal specialist can help you make an informed decision based on your individual situation.

Post your job on HaMuch now and we’ll put you in touch with landscapers who can help you remove bamboo from your garden.


Estimates for common landscaper jobs;

Rates for other trades

Bamboo removal cost in the UK
Bamboo removal cost in the UK (excluding VAT or callout charges)
Location in UKBamboo removal cost
Bamboo removal near Aberdeen£613
Bamboo removal near Amber Valley£604
Bamboo removal near Angus£608
Bamboo removal near Arun£620
Bamboo removal near Ashfield£603
Bamboo removal near Aylesbury Vale£607
Bamboo removal near Barnsley£582
Bamboo removal near Basildon£622
Bamboo removal near Basingstoke & Deane£620
Bamboo removal near Bassetlaw£616
Bamboo removal near Bath & North East Somerset£635
Bamboo removal near Bedford£604
Bamboo removal near Belfast£570
Bamboo removal near Birmingham£583
Bamboo removal near Blackburn£614
Bamboo removal near Blackpool£610
Bamboo removal near Bolton£611
Bamboo removal near Bournemouth£625
Bamboo removal near Bracknell Forest£637
Bamboo removal near Bradford£553
Bamboo removal near Braintree£598
Bamboo removal near Breckland£588
Bamboo removal near Bridgend£590
Bamboo removal near Brighton£611
Bamboo removal near Bristol£631
Bamboo removal near Broadland£586
Bamboo removal near Broxtowe£601
Bamboo removal near Bury£607
Bamboo removal near Caerphilly£597
Bamboo removal near Calderdale£567
Bamboo removal near Cambridge£609
Bamboo removal near Canterbury£626
Bamboo removal near Cardiff£599
Bamboo removal near Carmarthenshire£587
Bamboo removal near Charnwood£593
Bamboo removal near Chelmsford£615
Bamboo removal near Cheltenham£641
Bamboo removal near Cherwell£631
Bamboo removal near Chester£657
Bamboo removal near Colchester£582
Bamboo removal near Conway£593
Bamboo removal near Coventry£584
Bamboo removal near Crewe & Nantwich£621
Bamboo removal near Dacorum£642
Bamboo removal near Derby£606
Bamboo removal near Doncaster£600
Bamboo removal near Dover£628
Bamboo removal near Dudley£582
Bamboo removal near Dundee£608
Bamboo removal near East Ayrshire£594
Bamboo removal near East Devon£573
Bamboo removal near East Dunbartonshire£631
Bamboo removal near East Hampshire£632
Bamboo removal near East Hertfordshire£635
Bamboo removal near East Lindsey£535
Bamboo removal near East Riding£569
Bamboo removal near Eastleigh£630
Bamboo removal near Edinburgh£594
Bamboo removal near Elmbridge£645
Bamboo removal near Epping Forest£645
Bamboo removal near Erewash£603
Bamboo removal near Exeter£578
Bamboo removal near Falkirk£602
Bamboo removal near Fife£599
Bamboo removal near Flintshire£638
Bamboo removal near Gateshead£638
Bamboo removal near Gedling£600
Bamboo removal near Glasgow£633
Bamboo removal near Gloucester£642
Bamboo removal near Guildford£636
Bamboo removal near Halton£644
Bamboo removal near Harrogate£544
Bamboo removal near Havant & Waterloo£633
Bamboo removal near Horsham£632
Bamboo removal near Huntingdonshire£595
Bamboo removal near Ipswich£589
Bamboo removal near Isle of Wight£627
Bamboo removal near Kings Lynn & West Norfolk£579
Bamboo removal near Kingston-upon-Hull£573
Bamboo removal near Kirklees£570
Bamboo removal near Knowsley£641
Bamboo removal near Lancaster£604
Bamboo removal near Leeds£551
Bamboo removal near Leicester£592
Bamboo removal near Lisburn£572
Bamboo removal near Liverpool£645
Bamboo removal near London£647
Bamboo removal near Luton£634
Bamboo removal near Macclesfield£606
Bamboo removal near Maidstone£631
Bamboo removal near Manchester£606
Bamboo removal near Mid Bedfordshire£616
Bamboo removal near Mid Sussex£626
Bamboo removal near Middlesbrough£541
Bamboo removal near Milton Keynes£605
Bamboo removal near Neath Port Talbot£588
Bamboo removal near New Forest£630
Bamboo removal near Newbury£619
Bamboo removal near Newcastle Upon Tyne£638
Bamboo removal near Newcastle-under-Lyme£616
Bamboo removal near Newport£601
Bamboo removal near North Ayrshire£616
Bamboo removal near North East Lincolnshire£549
Bamboo removal near North Hertfordshire£629
Bamboo removal near North Lanarkshire£622
Bamboo removal near North Lincolnshire£571
Bamboo removal near North Somerset£629
Bamboo removal near North Tyneside£639
Bamboo removal near North Wiltshire£656
Bamboo removal near Northampton£582
Bamboo removal near Norwich£592
Bamboo removal near Nottingham£600
Bamboo removal near Nuneaton & Bedworth£586
Bamboo removal near Oldham£600
Bamboo removal near Oxford£637
Bamboo removal near Pembrokeshire£561
Bamboo removal near Perth & Kinross£601
Bamboo removal near Peterborough£611
Bamboo removal near Plymouth£549
Bamboo removal near Poole£622
Bamboo removal near Portsmouth£631
Bamboo removal near Powys£565
Bamboo removal near Preston£615
Bamboo removal near Reading£630
Bamboo removal near Redcar & Cleveland£532
Bamboo removal near Reigate & Banstead£643
Bamboo removal near Renfrewshire£635
Bamboo removal near Rhondda, Cynon, Taff£597
Bamboo removal near Rochdale£599
Bamboo removal near Rochester-upon-Medway£525
Bamboo removal near Rotherham£601
Bamboo removal near Salford£607
Bamboo removal near Salisbury£645
Bamboo removal near Sandwell£584
Bamboo removal near Scarborough£655
Bamboo removal near Scottish Borders£798
Bamboo removal near Sefton£636
Bamboo removal near Sevenoaks£640
Bamboo removal near Sheffield£602
Bamboo removal near Slough£643
Bamboo removal near Solihull£582
Bamboo removal near South Ayrshire£600
Bamboo removal near South Bedfordshire£604
Bamboo removal near South Cambridgeshire£608
Bamboo removal near South Gloucestershire£629
Bamboo removal near South Kesteven£609
Bamboo removal near South Lanarkshire£626
Bamboo removal near South Oxfordshire£638
Bamboo removal near South Somerset£591
Bamboo removal near South Tyneside£637
Bamboo removal near Southampton£632
Bamboo removal near Southend-on-Sea£614
Bamboo removal near St Albans£646
Bamboo removal near St Helens£638
Bamboo removal near Stafford£601
Bamboo removal near Stockport£604
Bamboo removal near Stockton-on-Tees£544
Bamboo removal near Stoke-on-Trent£612
Bamboo removal near Stratford-on-Avon£584
Bamboo removal near Stroud£641
Bamboo removal near Suffolk Coastal£583
Bamboo removal near Sunderland£632
Bamboo removal near Swale£630
Bamboo removal near Swansea£589
Bamboo removal near Tameside£603
Bamboo removal near Teignbridge£582
Bamboo removal near Tendring£579
Bamboo removal near Test Valley£634
Bamboo removal near Thamesdown£660
Bamboo removal near Thanet£628
Bamboo removal near The Wrekin£578
Bamboo removal near Thurrock£631
Bamboo removal near Torbay£585
Bamboo removal near Trafford£609
Bamboo removal near Vale of Glamorgan£601
Bamboo removal near Vale of White Horse£643
Bamboo removal near Vale Royal£641
Bamboo removal near Wakefield£557
Bamboo removal near Walsall£586
Bamboo removal near Warrington£633
Bamboo removal near Warwick£581
Bamboo removal near Waveney£597
Bamboo removal near Waverley£632
Bamboo removal near Wealden£615
Bamboo removal near West Lancashire£630
Bamboo removal near West Lothian£598
Bamboo removal near West Wiltshire£656
Bamboo removal near Wigan£629
Bamboo removal near Windsor & Maidenhead£641
Bamboo removal near Wirral£643
Bamboo removal near Wokingham£634
Bamboo removal near Wolverhampton£586
Bamboo removal near Wrexham Maelor£643
Bamboo removal near Wychavon£593
Bamboo removal near Wycombe£636
Bamboo removal near York£550