Electric_Andy
Heavy Metal Fan
- Location
- Plymouth
TLDR; We have just found out that a huge infestation of bamboo on our boundary fence (growing into neighbours garden) was planted on our side 40 years ago. The neighbours now want it gone. I have spent 8 hours so far trying to dig it out (their side), but it's absolutely wrecked my body and I still can't move my elbow properly. They do not want me to use glyphosphate because they have a dog. Access is fairly tricky as it's against a wall. Has anyone used bamboo removal specialists and know how much they might charge? Or had success with any sort of power tools? I am at my wits' end so will see if I can get anywhere with an angle grinder and concrete disc. And I might also try my reciprocating saw. This is only on the roots by the way; the tall stuff is easily cut off with loppers. Glyphosphate is off the cards as they have a dog and don't want me using it.
The longer version: When we viewed the house, we were told the bamboo was the neighbours, as it was on their side. Little did we know that our retaining wall is not the boundary; the boundary is lower down the bank behind the wall and it does look like it started behind (our side) of the fence. The previous owner said he regularly lops of the tops which overhang our garden room, and throws the clippings over to the neighbour and they don't mind (!). Foolishly we did not query this with the estate agent or solicitor.
6 months ago my partner went round there and said can they get rid of their bamboo. The husband said they are trying and one day he wil get his mini digger up there.
Just 3 weeks ago we get a knock on the door and it's the neighbours (wife) saying they are fed up with trying to dig it out and they want it gone. She claims she remembers it being planted on our side over 40 years ago when she was growing up. They have been "maintaining it" (in other words, letting it spread everywhere) for the past 40 years. She also claims she has told the 2 previous owners of our house to get rid, but nothing has been done. They did not start any sort of complaint or dispute because her mother at the time "didn't want the hassle". So I have agreed to do what I can, when I can, which I planned to be a few saturdays, but my frail and unfit body has other ideas. It's like swinging a pick-axe into concrete, the roots are just solid so the first 5 hours me and my friend cleared about 1sqM. There's probably another 9sqM to go. And another part to the lefthand neighbour where it's spread, but we can't dig it with tools as she has a greenhouse right in front of it and it would get smashed.
The neighbours have been getting rid of the big stuff, paying to use a dedicated soil/mulch company who recycle it. And have also paid a labourer to come in for a few hours. So they are being nice about it. The only thing I can't understand is, if you knew 40 years ago that it was not your bamboo and it had spread into your garden, why continue to cut it back? For forty years? And now all of a sudden we have to get rid. It's doing my head in
The longer version: When we viewed the house, we were told the bamboo was the neighbours, as it was on their side. Little did we know that our retaining wall is not the boundary; the boundary is lower down the bank behind the wall and it does look like it started behind (our side) of the fence. The previous owner said he regularly lops of the tops which overhang our garden room, and throws the clippings over to the neighbour and they don't mind (!). Foolishly we did not query this with the estate agent or solicitor.
6 months ago my partner went round there and said can they get rid of their bamboo. The husband said they are trying and one day he wil get his mini digger up there.
Just 3 weeks ago we get a knock on the door and it's the neighbours (wife) saying they are fed up with trying to dig it out and they want it gone. She claims she remembers it being planted on our side over 40 years ago when she was growing up. They have been "maintaining it" (in other words, letting it spread everywhere) for the past 40 years. She also claims she has told the 2 previous owners of our house to get rid, but nothing has been done. They did not start any sort of complaint or dispute because her mother at the time "didn't want the hassle". So I have agreed to do what I can, when I can, which I planned to be a few saturdays, but my frail and unfit body has other ideas. It's like swinging a pick-axe into concrete, the roots are just solid so the first 5 hours me and my friend cleared about 1sqM. There's probably another 9sqM to go. And another part to the lefthand neighbour where it's spread, but we can't dig it with tools as she has a greenhouse right in front of it and it would get smashed.
The neighbours have been getting rid of the big stuff, paying to use a dedicated soil/mulch company who recycle it. And have also paid a labourer to come in for a few hours. So they are being nice about it. The only thing I can't understand is, if you knew 40 years ago that it was not your bamboo and it had spread into your garden, why continue to cut it back? For forty years? And now all of a sudden we have to get rid. It's doing my head in
