Your neighbour's bamboo is coming into your garden: what can you do?

Bamboo · 3 min read

Bamboo that spreads from next door is one of the most common calls we get. It is frustrating, especially when you did not plant it. Here are the practical steps, from the first conversation to a permanent fix.

Step 1: Confirm what it is

Make sure it really is bamboo, and check whether it is a running type. Japanese knotweed is sometimes mistaken for bamboo because both have cane-like stems, and the two are handled differently. See our guide to identifying Japanese knotweed. If in doubt, send us a photo and we will identify it for free.

Step 2: Record what you can see

Take dated photos of shoots on your side, any damage to paving, lawns or fences, and where the stand is on the neighbouring property. A written survey report with photos is useful if you need to explain the problem to your neighbour, a landlord or a managing agent.

Step 3: Talk to your neighbour

Most neighbours do not realise their bamboo is spreading. A calm conversation, ideally with photos, usually works best. Many problems are resolved by agreeing to deal with it together: removing the source stand, installing a barrier along the boundary, or both.

Step 4: Choose a fix that lasts

• Remove the bamboo on your side, rhizomes and all, so nothing is left to regrow
• Install a root barrier along the boundary to stop new rhizomes crossing
• Where your neighbour gives permission, remove the spread on their side as well
• Keep monitoring for new shoots after the work

Cutting shoots off at ground level does not solve the problem. The rhizomes stay alive and keep sending up new canes.

What about the legal side?

Unlike Japanese knotweed, bamboo is not listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and there is no specific law that applies to it in the same way. Encroaching plants are generally treated as a civil matter between neighbours. If talking does not work, or there is damage to property, take advice from a solicitor or your home insurer before taking further action. We can provide a written report with photos that documents what is on site.

Selling a home with bamboo next door

Buyers and lenders can see invasive bamboo as a risk. Evidence that it has been dealt with, such as a guarantee certificate and a management plan, helps. See Japanese knotweed and selling a house for how paperwork helps with sales.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cut back bamboo that comes onto my side?

You can remove growth on your own property, but cutting canes at ground level will not stop it. The rhizomes need removing and the boundary protecting.

Will you work on my neighbour's side?

Only with their permission. Where they agree, we can remove the spread on their side as well as yours.

Is bamboo covered by the same law as Japanese knotweed?

No. Bamboo is not on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Disputes are usually civil matters, so take legal advice if needed.

Can you give me a report to show my neighbour?

Yes. Our free survey includes a written report with photos.

Related articles

• Running vs clumping bamboo, and when you need a root barrier
• Bamboo removal cost in the UK: what affects the price?
• How to identify Japanese knotweed, season by season