It doesn't matter to the bamboo.

You can remove the dead culms, no problem.

Since they are dead, they don't have leaves, and can't be blocking any sun. The culms on the interior of the grove will not have branches and leaves down low since litte/no sun shines there. On the edge of the grove the bamboo, probably a Phyllostachys, the sun will have stimulated branching and leaves all the way to the ground.

You can even thin living culms to lessen the density, and make room for your meditation temple. With a litle inspection, you can usually identify the alive culms that are older. Prune them rather than the newer culms.

At the edge of the grove, you can prune off the lower branches/leaves to expose the interior and not have a solid, opaque face of foliage. I prune the lower branches to about 6 feet on a bamboo next to a path to keep them out of my face.

Thanks for the advice. I had a feeling that it didn't matter. You gave me a great idea tho about cutting through, to make an area for a meditation area, we have enough space to do this for sure. What tool is best suited for this job? Bamboo sure is difficult to cut through!

Laurie

I use reciprocating/tiger saw with a very fine-toothed metal-cutting blade. 24 teeth/inch, TPI. As with any material, fine toothed saw blade for thinner materials. For cutting culms above ground or rhizomes below ground.

I also use a 4" angle grinder with a metal cutting abrasive disc. No teeth, very smooth, quick, controllable cuts, no splitting, with somewhat of an annealed cut.