Bamboo Barrier

BARRIER WORKS BEST AS A DIVERSION TYPE CONTROL METHOD WITH A
 VERY SMOOTH SURFACE ON THE SIDE FACING YOUR BAMBOO PLANTING.

There are natural methods to control and grow bamboo. To find out more click here

Below is the cost of the barrier including S&H charges. Barrier is sold in 25’ increments. Our 30 mil by 24 inch wide is $1.25 per linear foot. Sealant tape is provided free with any barrier order, but you do need to request it. 25 feet $38.50 50 feet $74.50 75 feet $111.25 100 feet $146.00 125 feet $180.75 150 feet $209.50 175 feet $248.25 200 feet $291.00 225 feet $328.75 250 feet $362.50 275 feet $398.75 300 feet $435.00

For those who want extra protection, we also have 60 mil barrier that is 30" wide. It costs $3.00 a linear foot and is sold in 25' increments.  The cost below is including shipping and handling. 25 feet $90.00 50 feet $174.75 75 feet $266.00 100 feet $363.00 125 feet $455.00 150 feet $535.00

In the above photo you can see the bamboo barrier installed. Installation is simple. A trench or hole is dug and the barrier is placed inside to control the bamboo. To see more pictures of installation, please click here.

     Bamboo makes an ideal garden plant and grows quickly to provide privacy and beauty. There are many ways to control bamboo. On this page we cover the use of an in ground plastic root barrier. If you wish to know the other methods please visit our Growing Habits Page which cover several other methods. Many designers and contractors are nevertheless hesitant to recommend bamboo to clients unless a root barrier is installed.

We have done studies with many other sources and found that the 30 mil or 0.76mm is great at diverting bamboo rhizomes. For those desiring a little more security we also stock the thicker 60 mil.

    Plastic thinner than 30 mil has been shown to crack when ground temperatures 24 inches deep get below -15 degrees F. This would be extremely cold and the 30 mil does great at handling very cold temperatures without damage. The plastic barrier has a better chance not crack when frozen like other materials, even concrete will freeze and crack over the years. I know you all have seen concrete driveways with cracks in them. Driveways are poured 4 to 6 inches deep to allow heavy vehicles passage and parking. Concrete was used many years ago ( Byron Agriculture Station in Byron, Georgia) as a below ground barrier system and found to crack below the frost line allowing bamboo rhizomes to emerge through to the other side. One of the many myths of bamboo is its ability to crack solid concrete. While a clumping type bamboo may do this, given enough years, a running type bamboo just runs and does not usually apply the outward pressure of a clumping bamboo or hardwood tree.

      Bamboo is not magical, but persistent and its root system will eventually find cracks in concrete and emerge through them. If the environment ( sunlight & soil ) is suitable once it emerges the bamboo will grow if not terminated. The rhizome ( root ) when growing is very soft and flexible and will always turn when it encounters something harder.  Furthermore, installation of a barrier will accelerate the grow of a bamboo screen.  The growth will be more dense because of the confinements and stimulate the screening effect.

The 30 mil Polyethylene is 0.030" (0.76 mm) thick and has been made from recyclable post industrial regrind material when possible.
 

            Determine the extent of the area to be given over to the bamboo. Dig a trench around the entire area and place the barrier inside.

1. Place the barrier into the trench with the shinny or glossy side toward the bamboo. Overlap the ends of  the barrier by 6 inches and apply a sealant tape vertically between barrier. If banding strip option is used, place strip on inside and outside of the barrier. Position strips with pre-dilled holes lined up. Stripped should be placed 1/4" from the inside edge of barrier. Secure with provided hardware.
2. Place the top edge of the barrier approximately 1 inch above the finish grade. This will deter
   overgrowth and make annual maintenance easier.

3. Plant according to the standard bamboo nursery planting directions paying attention to soil deficiencies, drainage and compacting. Be sure the planting area still drains well or the root system will rot.
   

Click here to see some pictures of installation 

Maintenance:

Annual maintenance is a key to controlling bamboo even with a root barrier. Rhizomes spread outward from the center of the plant in late spring, summer and fall. In the Fall when rhizome activity has ended clear the top edge of the barrier and inspect for any rhizome over-growth. If any rhizomes have gone over the top of the barrier cut them off and pull them out of the ground. If this procedure is done annually the rhizome are new, they are soft and easy to remove.

Current Remnants Available

11' for 24" by 30mil - $17