How to Trim Clumping Bamboo

Wait until the clumping bamboo is at least 2 years old before you begin pruning it.

Examine the clump of bamboo and locate any canes that are brown or yellow, which means they are dead. Cut these canes off at ground level using a pruning saw or any other serrated hand saw.

Look closely at the green coloring of the bamboo stalks and locate the canes that are not bright green, which means they are older growth. Trace these back to the ground and count up to the second or third raised ring, called a node. Cut the canes off 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch above the node using the pruning saw. Remove up to one-third of the old canes using the same method.

Stand back and look at the overall planting area to locate canes that are creeping too close to sidewalks, roadways or a building. Prune these canes off at ground level as well to help control the outward growth of the clump and keep it contained.

Look at the remaining canes around the outer perimeter of the clump and identify those that are leaning out instead of growing straight up. Locate an area one-quarter to one-half of the way down a drooping cane and cut it off using hand pruners to straighten the cane back into an upright position. Repeat the pruning process around the entire perimeter of the clump.