I would remove everything roots and all. Looks like it will have to be a pick or mattock and shovel job, and dont forget the crowbar. I tried the big thick fork and that even got bent it took hubby and I a fair while just to get one piece of clumping bamboo out. If its running bamboo as I think it may be by the size of your patch you may have to use chemicals. There are mini bobcats that may be able to get into your garden.

Which ever way you look at it, its going to be a big hard job. I wish you well it may be a good idea to put on a barbie and invite the neighbours, friends and family to bring their garden tools and help you ...Cheers..MM.

15x10metres of bamboo! Has anyone seen Aliens? "Nuke the site from orbit, Ripley... it's the only way to be sure..."

I am not a huge fan of chemicals, but I reckon they have their place sometimes and this is probably one of those times. I would cut the bamboo off fairly low, paint the stalks with glyphosate, wait for them to die (a couple of weeks) and then hack the roots out. MM's idea of bribing some mates with a BBQ sounds like a good one too! Or you could leave the roots in place, but it is a slight risk. If you intend to leave them, I would wait a good month (or two) first to make sure there isn't regrowth.

Good luck!

The easiest way to remove your bamboo,is to cut EVERY culm off ,repeat this process and the under ground rhizome will shrivel and die eventually.The "roots" you mention will most likely be rhizomes and if left when using the dig out method will produce new culms.
Plant a clumper next time!
Cheers.

thank you all, its greatly appreciated

I will try cutting all the culms twice, afterthe first cut the second cut will be easy, just a sharpened mattock should do it.

Hopefully that will mean I dont need poisons or to dig out roots unless it proves to grow again.

If I do need to dig out the roots I will invite all of you to the barbie.

thanks again

Mike

Instead of you cutting them put a sign up for free bamboo garden stakes - cut your own. Let someone else do the hard work!

you could try natures bob cats - build a rough fence around it, include a lean to and add a pig. the porker should root up most of the patch for you, and fertilize the soil and provide bacon.

I read once that you fertilise the bamboo with urea which gives it a growth spurt, and then you go for it. It has put so much energy into growing it supposedly weakens it's resistance. Who knows??
I personally love the pig idea!! Lol.
Cheers,
Dee.