Homeowners are being warned that bamboo, often planted as a decorative feature in gardens, is emerging as a serious threat to property values and a growing source of neighbourly disputes.
Surveyors and estate agents say that while the plant’s tall, elegant shoots have made it popular in British gardens, its aggressive growth patterns mean it can quickly cause thousands of pounds’ worth of damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Michael Holden, of Holden’s Chartered Surveyors, recently dealt with a case where bamboo from one garden had crossed into a neighbour’s land.
“It can be just as destructive as Japanese knotweed,” he says, warning that the removal in that case cost his client nearly £14,000.
ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS
Trade body Propertymark is now advising buyers and sellers to treat bamboo with the same level of caution as other invasive plants.
Left unchecked, bamboo can push through pavements, tarmac and drains, exploiting cracks in walls and floors. Running varieties are considered especially hazardous, spreading underground at speed and often thriving in British growing conditions.
The financial and legal risks are also mounting. Where bamboo spreads across boundary lines, homeowners may face claims for professional removal costs, raising the prospect of neighbour disputes and compensation battles.
EXPERT OPINION
Holden says: “Whilst asking a surveyor to observe a garden for bamboo is often not the first thing that crosses people’s minds when moving into a new house, I would recommend seeking expert opinion on the different types of plants in your garden just for peace of mind, especially if you live in an older property that is vulnerable to cracks and more.”
The cost of removal varies from £150 for smaller infestations to more than £10,000 for entrenched cases, depending on accessibility and the methods used. Options range from chemical herbicides to full excavation and trenching to block underground stems, known as rhizomes.
RISK FACTOR
Despite its risks, bamboo remains attractive to many gardeners. It absorbs more carbon dioxide and releases more oxygen than trees of a similar size and can be safely managed using root barriers or containers.
However, experts stress that the plant’s rapid growth – in some cases up to a metre a day – means careful management is essential.
Property professionals say that as environmental issues become increasingly tied to housing transactions, invasive plants like bamboo could become a more significant factor in property surveys and valuations.
