Southwest Knotweed were asked to carry out a Bamboo survey in Sidmouth. The client was aware of bamboo growing in the front garden, which had been growing in the same area since they purchased the property, more than 10 years ago.
The Bamboo had spread over the years and encroached a stone wall and was also growing along the property plinth.
The Survey conducted by Southwest Knotweed involved an inspection of the bamboo area only – (specific land requested)
Our Site Survey found Bamboo present in one location.
The area of Bamboo will be referred to as BB1 throughout this case study.
BB1 was growing in and amongst some established shrubs, with a tree in close proximity and growing in the front garden on the North side of the property.
The growth area appeared to be approximately 10m2 , which looked to be contained between the gable end of the house and a small garden stone wall. However, the Bamboo had exploited the stone wall and further rhizomes were running along the property’s plinth.
Following the disruption and removal of the densest area of rhizome, the soil was then screened for rhizome fragments.
As you can see from the two images above. The Rhizome was chased to the point of where significant penetration to the wall has occurred which would result in the stone wall being taken down for complete eradication. This was not possible. Therefore, a follow up monitoring period combined with a systemic herbicide treatment was the best solution for any Rhizome that could not be excavated. Whilst chasing the rhizome, we had to lift 2-3 paving slabs due to runners breaching voids within the mortar underneath the paving slabs, causing the slabs to lift in places.
After the area was excavated and clean soil returned to the area, a layer of topsoil was then added to condition the rootzone, ready for replanting as desired.
Southwest Knotweed installed a weed suppressant membrane once the top soils was spread out and levelled.
Decorative bark was then spread out across the area of BB1 and the lifted paving slabs reinstated, pointed, and cleaned.
After the works were finalised the client was then given a summary report showing the process that was involved followed by a three-year monitoring period.