Board considers curbing bamboo
Bamboo might be beloved by pandas, but it’s an invasive species that spreads aggressively and creates a nuisance for homeowners.
The Board of Supervisors agreed on Jan. 25 to consider an ordinance to require property owners to contain running bamboo and set civil penalties for the failure to do so.
The board will consider adoption of the ordinance at a public hearing Feb. 22 at 3:30 p.m.
The ordinance would prohibit property owners from allowing running bamboo to invade adjacent properties or any public right-of-way.
The civil penalty would be up to $50 per business day for the failure to comply with a notice of violation. If a property owner fails to comply with a notice of violation for a different set of operative facts within 12 months of the first violation, the penalty would be $200 per business day.
Total penalties may not exceed $3,000 in a 12-month period for each set of operative facts.
If passed, the penalties for bamboo would be added to the section of the county’s ordinance that deals with the cutting of grass and weeds and the disposal of trash and clutter.
In 2017 the Virginia legislature voted to designate running bamboo as a noxious weed, giving localities the authority to control it through the adoption of a local ordinance.
Running bamboo (monopodial or leptomorph) is a type of perennial grass that spreads quickly through the growth of long horizontal stems called rhizomes, states a fact sheet from the county’s Department of Code Compliance. Clumping bamboo (sympodial or pachymorph) spreads slowly in small clumps and is not invasive.
To prevent bamboo from getting into a neighbor’s yard, the county recommends maintaining a 10-foot distance between the edge of the bamboo and the property line and installing a metal or heavy plastic underground containment barrier.
Homeowners should be persistent in continually removing new bamboo plants and sprouts, the county advises. “Digging plants out is costly and may require heavy equipment, may be time consuming, and may not be a permanent solution.”
Gotta say… As many times as we’ve seen people in Mason and on this blog have serious gripes about the lack of efficacy of code compliance, is the board really considering giving them yet more work to do?
Bamboo police? 😝
It’s about time. Lots of education is needed and it can start with Lowes, who still sells with with the description that it provides a screen. Other stores sell it as well. People depend on the store to educate them on what to plant. It has cost me time and money to control and eradicate from my yard. My neighbor planted it and does not care that I do not want it in my yard. She just wanted a screen and she got it. Most people do not research plants before they buy. They depend on the store that sells. If it’s pretty it must be good.
A lot grows into the parks from homeowners yards. Just take a walk along Long Branch starting at Braddock and Wakefield
The Virginia Code says
“B. Any locality may, by ordinance, provide that:
1. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to grow without proper upkeep and appropriate containment measures, including barriers or trenching; and
2. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to spread from his property to any public right-of-way or adjoining property not owned by the landowner.”
Seems reasonable on the face of it.
Does this apply to existing stands? I’ve been fighting a neighbor’s bamboo patch for 25 years!
Does the Commonwealth own the huge patch on Columbia Pike @ rhe Lake Barcroft spillway? During the last snow the bamboo was flattened by the heavy snow onto Columbia pike. So Penny Gross what’s your plan to either fine the Commonwealth or the Lake Barcroft Home Owners Association?
Good question.
You could ask her yourself by calling 703-256-7717 Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 5:00 or email her at [email protected].
Would be helpful if County provides specifics on how to kill bamboo. The digging of a trench and inserting a metal wall only attempts to curb the spread. Doesn’t always work. Most homeowners have tried unsuccessfully to kill the bamboo, so please provide guidance to do so. One method is to pour gasoline down the stalks and light it! I hope the County has better methods.