While bamboo isn’t native to the UK, many varieties have been planted across Dorset towns and villages such as Bournemouth, Poole, Dorchester, Bridport and Weymouth, and in a number of cases the plant’s vigorous underground growth has caused concern among gardeners and landowners. That fast, creeping habit comes from bamboo’s rhizomes — underground stems that can spread far from the original plant and produce new shoots in unexpected places, often bypassing simple barriers in the soil.
The biggest issue with bamboo in Dorset — particularly with the so-called “running” species — is its ability to spread aggressively and outcompete other plants or encroach on neighbouring gardens. Local specialist services advertise bamboo removal precisely because the plant’s underground stems can undermine lawns, borders, patios or even foundations if left unchecked. Residents often find that rhizomes travel several metres beyond the original clump, and in some cases can push up through paving, grow near buildings, or simply take over more garden space than expected.
This ease of spread means bamboo can become problematic not just practically but socially. If one property’s bamboo crosses a boundary into a neighbour’s garden, it can lead to disputes, demands for removal, or even legal disagreements about nuisance and damage. There’s no legal prohibition on growing bamboo in Dorset, but like elsewhere in the UK gardeners are advised to think carefully before planting it because people regularly need professional removal or containment once bamboo has colonised more soil than intended.
Southwest Knotweed surveys properties in all areas of Dorset on a daily basis. We have a proven track record in providing the right survey report, with the right treatment programme and the right Insurance Backed Guarantees to allow the property transaction to proceed.
We believe in doing the job well and being professional every time. Book your PCA qualified surveyor today.
In Dorset, Southwest Knotweed covers Beaminster, Blandford Forum, Bournemouth, Bridport, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham, Lyme Regis, Poole, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Swanage, Verwood, Wareham, Weymouth, Wimbore Minster
We cover the following postcode areas:
BA22, BH16, BH19, BH20, BH21, BH22, BH23, BH24, BH31, DT1 ,DT10, DT11, DT2, DT3, DT4, DT5, DT6, DT7, DT8, DT9, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8, TA20
