Several homeowners in the village of Belmont (near Bolton) got in touch wanting to get rid of the bamboo that is taking over their gardens and their public space.

Many of them have tried to remove the bamboo over the years, but unless every single above ground stem is removed it will always come back, as the leaves are creating energy for the entire network.

With your help we can smash the whole lot, at once, and dig up a lot of the roots and rhizome to disturb the network of enough that it can no longer send up new shoots, like a battery that has run out of energy.

Once the bamboo is removed, the stems can be cut into 1 meter segments, which we can use when we're planting trees! We use bamboo to hold up our biodegradable rabbit guards, and improve the survival rate of our saplings. Harvesting invasive bamboo saves us importing farmed bamboo from China, reducing our reliance on imports, and the emissions associated with its production and transport.

What to bring

Things we ask that you bring if possible:

• Seceteurs/loppers - only if you have them

• Gardening gloves - the sturdier the better

• Sturdy footwear - preferably boots or wellies

• A packed lunch

• Hand sanitiser

We'll provide you with some tea, coffee, and hopefully some COVID-19 safe snacks.

Safety

We'll be working with seceteurs, loppers, machetes, mattocks, and other sharp tools, so this event is sadly not family friendly, nor would we recommend bringing pets. Tree planting events later in the year will be more appropriate for little-uns and pets.

The event will be covered by public liability insurance and will give safety announcements so everyone knows what they're doing.

 

High Street, Belmont, BL7 8AY