Bamboo can be an attractive garden subject, and also produce useful canes, but this article in the press – and other recent media coverage – reminded us, that there can be problems, and that a few years ago, the then site rep noticed that several plot holders had this growing on their plots.
Bamboo isn’t a broadleaf, nor a conifer, nor a willow tree, and so the Tenancy Agreement doesn’t seem to cover it. It is, in fact, a kind of grass. This uncertainty has led to problems for councils and tenants alike, with councils one moment directing committees to tell plot holders in no uncertain terms to remove their bamboo, only apparently to change their minds shortly afterwards. Furthermore, if the council failed to make clear to the plot holders concerned that they had issued the earlier directive, then this in turn could lead to problems between tenants and committees, or their members, whom the former might assume to have been needlessly bothering them.
As the article makes clear, bamboo – when not constrained, e.g. in a planter, sunken or otherwise – can be a serious invasive problem.
Cardiff Council are presently holding Working Group meetings to examine reform to the terms of allotment tenancies, and to the fees and charges relating to them. A PPAA Committee member is one of its attendees, and at the last meeting the Chair of Cardiff Allotment Holders’ Association (“CAHA”) proposed that bamboo and other invasive non-native species be expressly added to the list of subjects which may not be planted or maintained. (Whether that might be implemented remains to be seen, however.)
Whatever, for the time being, if anyone has this growing on their plot, then they need to make sure either that it’s properly controlled as outlined, or to remove it completely.
(Any container needs to be proof enough so that the spreading roots or underground stems – rhizomes – don’t escape through any holes to invade neighbouring plots etc.)
PPA Website Team
