New In-Ground Bamboo Plants Banned In Greenburgh

GREENBURGH, NY — The town of Greenburgh has tackled invasive bamboo, considered to be an ongoing nuisance among residents.

At its Wednesday meeting, the Town Board unanimously approved legislation that would regulate the plant by banning new plantings and controlling existing ones.

The local law, which can be read in its entirety here, said that running bamboo is becoming known as an invasive species and can bring on problems, such as providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The plant can also prove destructive to building foundations, walls, walkways and other structures.

The legislation bans the planting of running bamboo in the ground and allowing it to migrate to any adjoining property.

It also allows the town’s building inspector to tell owners of property where bamboo is found that they must install sheathing that is impenetrable at a minimum of 3 feet deep in order to prevent the plant from migrating.

Bamboo that is found to have migrated would have to be removed within 30 days from both properties. If that is not done, there could be a fine between $10 and $500 for each violation. A second violation for the same offense is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. Each day the violation is committed constitutes a separate offense.