If a culm has turned tan, you could prune it out now. You should give the others that have defoliated until late-June to see if they leaf-out. Those that haven't can be pruned out then. Pruning now will do nothing to stimulate new growth and it will wipe out any culms that defoliated but are still alive.

We are in a similar situation here in Oklahoma City and I was just hopping on to ask about it. Our yellow groove stand is about 100' long, and 5-10' deep in places, and about 25' tall. Almost all the leaves (probably 95%) are yellow or tan, but many of the culms are still green.

Kudzu, if I understand what you are saying, you indicate there is the possibility that a green culm might re-leaf out, right? We've begun to see new shooting for new culms only in the last few days, so I think we will definitely wait-and-see, but wondered if it was worth it to do so.

Mia-
That's right. Don't be in a hurry to cut down culms with damaged leaves. Many of those should replace their foliage in the next couple of months.

Thanks!

WE'VE HAD 1/4 ACRE OF BAMBOO FOR 15 YEARS. THIS WINTER WAS VERY HARSH AND IT IS THE FIRST TIME ALL LEAVES HAVE TURNED TAN AND ARE FALLING OFF. STALKS ARE NICE AND GREEN. WILL THEY RECOVER? WILL WE GET ANY NEW LEAVES THIS YEAR?

storeprincess-
Sounds like you have the same situation as others above, so same answers.

Wow, add me to the chorus.
Have had a Thamnocalamus tessellatus here in coastal Maryland since about 2008. Has scarcely shown any winter damage before. This year the top completely browned out. However, most of the culms are still green, so I've wondered if they can regenerate their leaves. I guess the answer is yes.

Me too here in s central Pa

Here in zone 7, my bamboo has been shooting for the last three weeks, and vigorously for the last week or so. I think I am starting to see some re-leafing on the main body of the badly winter-burned grove - mostly on the lower six feet or so. Hoping to see better progress in the coming weeks, but am encouraged for now. Will report back!

So, what's the consensus? Mine still looks awful but supposedly you can't kill this stuff.