Black bamboo will run, sooner or later, and, with a neighbor like that, you need a plan. You didn't say how close you were to the property line with your planting, but I hope you're several feet away for three reasons: 1) you need room for the bamboo to expand; 2) this neighbor sounds like the type who would love to run over it or mow it down if he had the chance; 3) black bamboo, when it's young, has a tendency to have a weeping habit, particularly after a rain, and that would give your neighbor the excuse to trim the bamboo that was hanging over on his side. If it were me, I'd also consider putting a nice little boulder about every 10' along the property line so he doesn't have any "accidents" with his mowing. Now, as far as controlling the bamboo, you can rhizome prune with a sharp shovel once or twice each fall. You'd have to go all along the line you want to maintain and chop down 10-12" to sever any wayward rhizomes. Alternatively, you could trench down about 30" and put in bamboo barrier (a thick, high density plastic material); I can tell you where to get it in the Seattle area if you need some. Or, you could go with your concrete barrier idea, although that sounds like more work and expense than I would do. If you do use concrete, you should put in some rebar just to control cracking. There is no issue regarding cement in the ground and bamboo rhizomes.

ever think on putting up a fence along that side of the property to keep out unwanted visitors? and depending on what you do, nice big boulders make great accents, kudzu9 had a great idea about that,. and if you want what about a nice short stone wall would look great also.

Congratulations on stopping the neighbor from coming onto your property! That's a good start to dealing with this guy. The concrete barrier should work but Kudzu's recommendation that you simply rhizome prune will work too. The 30" plastic barrier Kudzu mentions will work too, but be sure to get something specifically intended for bamboo. It is much thicker than most sheets of plastic.

Over many years, bamboo can both run under concrete barriers and break through plastic barriers. In the long run, Kudzu's rhizome pruning suggestion may be most reliable, although it does involve a few hours annually.

Put in some timber bamboo mixed with the black and tell him you didnt plant it and don't know how IT got there but he is welcome to mow any that comes up in his yard. Should fry his brain.

Plant and rhizome prune. Put loose soil all around to make it easier. But be diligent - if you miss, you'll be watching the bamboo wander...right...into...his...yard.

And as my feisty grandfather used to say, dogs poopin' in your yard ain't nothin but a lunch bag or two away from a solution.

( socalboo) ooooooooooh man i know what your grandfathers meaning is,. and all i can say is, dang i feel old!. i feel old for knowing what it means and, feel older for doing that same thing!.... can we say flaming bag of poo!!!

Nah, gramps wasn't a pyro. He would see dogs poop in his yard, scoop it into a lunch bag, follow the people home and give it to them. If they were too fast, he'd leave it on their doorstep. Didn't take much more than one time for people to avoid his yard.

>Now he walks his 2 dogs over to do their business in our yard.No wonder you are irritated. Is he going to start parking there next, or spewing garbage? How about bringing his wife over to have sex on your lawn, while you stare out of the window, in appalled amazement? Guess that's out because he knows what his dogs have been doo-ing there.

28 gorgeous black bamboo? I'd LOVE to have you as a neighbor!!! If you ever get a 'hankering' to move to rural Tennessee, I'll find a real estate agent for you!

If you like bamboo, then great. You could also set up a sprinkler straight down the like with an electric eye. After a few showers he won't be able to walk the dogs over there. I also like the idea of special delivery turd.

hello
this is what i would do as this jerk is a lawyer so he could be a nasty one..short of declareing war with a restraining order id put in a concrete barrier with rebar a few inches back from your line and have it come above the ground 6-8" and put a fence on top of it..close to the top id put a bracket out toward you so at about 12-18" you could string a wire so to keep the bamboo from leaning in his direction with the understand that he may cut some thats over the to of the fence..i know its alot of work but imho in your stituation thats what you need to do liveing in a city...with the convrete 6-8" high his mower not going to effect it..im not a beleaver in plastic barriers ..concrete with rebar yes.with out rebar the bamboo in time will crack it as it has at the usda station in byron,ga...................................................this is just why i moved out in the country on 8 acres in tn. haveing moved from liveing in san diego 71-95...
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elzbetta where are you in tn? im near mt city(ne/tn mtns)

Here is a link that might be useful: east coast bamboo group

mtnbamboogirl,
I'm very close to Dickson - southwest of Nashville. I moved here from Los Angeles...and I never look back!

Hello,

here in Belgium we have the right to close our property...

ON the line. The wall is then owned by BOTH parties. replacement of it is to be payd by BOTH parties. There are rule about heigh...

If no fence/wall/dich/... in place, you can install one, but can't request the other party to pay half of it.

In case of refuse we can request a judge to state. He is called "juge de paix" wich means "peace judge".

This is one of the MANY law we have to thanks to Napoleon.
I know that in the English/new world it is different, but I doubt you don't have such kind of rules/laws.

What about rebar sticking out of the ground 3 inches so when he mows he kills his blades....you know they are there so you won't mow but weedwhack....I'm so glad i don't have your situation. there has been talk in here earlier this year bout some neighbors. lots of ideas...some funny ideas too.... good luck and keep us posted as to your resolution.

Kurt

I think the motion-activated sprinkler is a good idea, as long as he doesn't de-activate it. If he is capable of strolling over with his dogs and etc., he is likely perfectly capable of grabbing the sprinkler and breaking it or pulling it up and throwing it the first time he doused.

The bamboo would certainly enjoy frequent sprinkling.

Thanks to all responders everywhere. Seems like bamboo people are the kind of neighbors I wish I had. Some great ideas, and I appreciate the suggestions and humor!