Ban-boo: Hempstead Town Adopts Bamboo Ban

The Hempstead Town Board unanimously adopted legislation at Tuesday's board meeting that will stem the planting, growing or maintaining of bamboo plants on local properties in the township.

Town officials are responding to the complaints of residents who have had to deal with invasive bamboo encroaching on their properties from adjoining parcels.

According to the town, in recent months, many residents have displayed evidence of damaged tree roots, pipes, sidewalks and even foundations as a result of out-of-control bamboo growth. The root structure found in many types of bamboo tends to expand horizontally, making the plant difficult to maintain and more likely to cause damage to its surrounding area than other types of plants.

Residents have documented bamboo roots migrating from neighboring properties and literally sprouting through and cracking garage floors, sidewalks and driveways. For some homeowners, the damage has cost them thousands of dollars to remediate.

Eddie Sanchez, manager of Old Mill Nurseries, said that he has worked on properties that were destroyed by bamboo.

"It is a fast growing shrub and they go all over," Sanchez said. "If my neighbor had it, it could come underneath my fence onto my property."

Sanchez said that his business usually carries bamboo, but he did not order any for the nursery this year.

"Only a few customers have asked for it," he said.

The town confirmed that those who have bamboo on their property must come into compliance with the law and that the town will work with neighbors to facilitate compliance.

This law will be enforced by the Town of Hempstead Department of Sanitation. If residents have a complaint about bamboo plants encroaching on their properties, they are urged to call the department at (516) 378-4210.