Ban-boo: Town of Hempstead Bans Bamboo

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.

“It is a beautiful plant,” Frank Venezia, owner of in Mineola, “(but) it’s almost like a hate plant. Somebody’ll plant it because they know it will upset their neighbor.”

Venezia has heard complaints from residents seeking to rid themselves of the plant, telling them that the only real effective solution is usually a cement barrier.

“It can become a problem depending on where you plant it,” he said.

The nursery stopped selling bamboo in 2006, but Venezia said he can still place a special order.

“I don’t sell much of it, I’m not big on shrubbery,” he said.

He does carry a dwarf bamboo, whose root system does not spread as much as it’s larger cousin.

“It’s just a pretty look.”

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.