Can Bamboo chips be tilled into my soil?

last year

Good morning, I need the help of professionals, please.

We live in Florida with no topsoil, only sand. Hurricane Milton damaged our bamboo trees, requiring us to trim and remove piles of bamboo. What a messy job.

Is it possible to run the cut bamboo through a chipper and then till the chips into the sandy soil? Would this cause unwanted bamboo to spread throughout our yard? The bamboo is up to 6 inches in diameter and as long as 75 feet, so taking it out in dumpsters would be expensive and time-consuming because the length would need to be trimmed several times.

This is "way beyond my pay grade" and would appreciate direction from people who know,

Thank you.

Featured Answer

Sigrid

last year

I might be inclined to spread them as mulch, rather than till them into the soil.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
As long as it is just the damaged top growth and none of the rhizomes or rooted parts, then chipping it up and adding to your soil should work fine and without danger of invasive spreading. Bamboos are just a type of grass that grow very quickly and form a woody base or stem and chipping bamboo canes is the same as chipping up a fallen tree.

But like wood, it is slow to decompose so will not add much to the soil initially. If you can incorporate any other organic matter to the mix as well, you can accelerate the impact.
plattsbecp thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
plattsbecp
Original Author
last year
Thank you gardengal48 - I appreciate your help.
Related Professionals
Spartanburg Landscape Contractors · Beaumont Landscape Contractors · Medford Landscape Contractors · Amherstburg Landscape Contractors · Chillicothe Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · North Adams Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Buffalo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Madison Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Pensacola Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Athens Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clarksville Landscape Contractors · Watertown Landscape Contractors · Elizabeth City Home Builders · Glenwood Springs Home Builders · Eugene Home Builders
plattsbecp
Original Author
last year
Thank you, Sigrid. We plan to use some as mulch, but we will have a mountain of chips to dispose of—enough for all the neighbors and then some.
KR Nuttle
last year
I don't know your circumstances, or the size of your yard, but there are other purposes for mulch. When we moved in to this house 15 years ago, I was scrapping to find much for the flower beds, etc. Today the situation is reversed.

I use much to create path through the wooded area of the lot. I use the gum balls with mulch as fill for some low areas. I have a ramp up to my shed. I tried to grow grass on it, but found the best way to keep it looking neat was mulch.

Our soil is very biologically active, and wood chips disappear in 2 to 3 years so they have to be constantly replaced.
plattsbecp thanked KR Nuttle
PRO
beesneeds
last year
If you or someone you know is looking into or needing some lengths to put to mending fences or building garden trellises, some of the bamboo could be used to build those sorts of things.
plattsbecp thanked beesneeds
Tom Cook
last year
A Lot of people don't know that Bamboo is nothing but a large variety of Grass. It's compostable but be careful with the roots (Ryzones) if you don't want them growing somewhere unwelcome.
plattsbecp thanked Tom Cook
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
last year
last modified: last year
Rhizomes. As explained yesterday.
plattsbecp thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
dchall_san_antonio
last year
I would not bury anything woody. I have done that in the past, and stuff just doesn't want to grow there for a long while. Since you have an opportunity, you can test out that theory yourself. Bury some of the bamboo mulch in one spot and use the rest as a top dressing mulch. Then see what grows.

Elsewhere on this forum, decades ago, they used to say that Florida soil/sand "eats" mulch. I believe that is a reference to the observation that mulch will disappear after some time, and all you're left with is the sand. That happens everywhere whether you have sand or soil.