Removing Bamboo | First Time Using a Clearing Saw

One of the first things we need to do with our abandoned house is remove as much of the bamboo as we can so that we can access the property more easily, and later make a garden in its place.
The bamboo is not that thick - it's a broad-leaf bamboo (sasa).
I was recommended to get a clearing saw (brush cutter) - it's a pretty common tool in Japan. So I went to the Yamashin store in Tsukuba where I got this one, the Ryobi EKM-270 (as far as I know only available in Japan) for 30,800 yen (USD 275).
www.kyocera-in...
I got the hang of how to use and it was definitely an easier way than clearing by hand.
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In between videos I'm posting to my Instagram: / tokyo_llama
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[@TokyoLlama]

Update: Six months on and I've been cutting the heads off any bamboo shoots that pop up. I've had to take the clearing saw to them about 3 times through the spring and summer. Now there isn't much bamboo appearing, so it seems to have worked so far. Instead I've got weeds to deal with. This area will be turned into a gravel driveway eventually.

[@TokyoLlama]

@Ronove That bamboo is tenacious. Thanks for the tip - I'll be digging the area out at some point to put the driveway down.

[@witchgroup]

@@TokyoLlama I live in France and i heard that if you want to keep bamboo but not let it spread too much, you will have to surround it by cement underground, so it can surround the root and not let it spread too much. I'm not an expert tho and it's only something i heard, i would recommend to search for more info tho.

[@inkerstales2336]

You have to dig them out. However digging bamboo up is extremely difficult(My dad did once and he cursed the death bamboo to hell) and some people prefer to get professionals to blow the roots up with dynamite.

[@dvillebenny1445]

Living in the Midwest of America I had no idea that Bamboo was a weed....lol. People plant it here as a Garden design piece!

[@DovidM]

Ronove It is good to dig a trench around the patch so that any roots that are sent off can be easily intercepted.

[@jjdaddyo]

Looks like an ideal two-person job: one person chopping, the other dragging stuff out of the way and stacking.

[@aligzaidi]

You got a Nice tool 👍 In past I tried loppers, Chain saw, receptacle saw that gave me arthritis on my both arms, LOL

[@raymo9709]

Sharing bamboo removal stories (Pennsylvania) -Six months ago I didn't know a thing about bamboo and accepted a seller's story line that is easy to manage and provides a great privacy barrier. I don't share their opinion. As a result, I'm removing by hand 1/4 acre of 50 foot x 2" (+) bamboo. Using a sawsall I cut the stalks at or below the soil. Then I'm separating the leafy section, the stalk, and the root ball. The stalks and leafy material are being recycled for mulch. The root ball or as much of it as I can get goes to my burn pit. Every time a see a rhizome, I split it and follow it in opposing directions with a hatchet. The rhizomes go to the burn pit. I'm six months into the process and most of it on my hands and knees. BTW, this is on a hill, and being replaced with pachysandra and blue spreading evergreen. Hope this is worthwhile to someone.

[@younome1845]

How’s it working out?

[@raymo9709]

I was successful removing my 1/4 acre of forty year old, unmaintained bamboo forest... However, it was all done manually. Sent fifteen, 15 yard containers of bamboo to the dump; left the culms in the ground (they are dying), and burned innumerable piles of rhyzones in my burn pit on site. Since then, I patrol everyday for any new survival shoots... The property looks amazing now!

[@NewStart1971]

How do you get to the root ball?

[@raymo9709]

@@NewStart1971 This is a project I never want to experience again. I regraded the area which turned up many of the rootballs. Those were parked in an area and allowed to dry over the years (Bamboo needs water!). For those that remained, I have been diligent in cutting all new sprouts at the ground level (Bamboo needs sun.).

[@NewStart1971]

@raymo9709 thanks for answering. I'm going through the same thing on my yard. I know it's a difficult task. Thanks for your help.

[@punkbloater]

That “music” cleared my earholes of wax so I subbed.

[@gc1097]

It makes my head feel funny

[@777rogerf]

The "music" is clearing me out of this channel although I was really enjoying the opportunity to see up close the amazing artistry and craftsmanship traditional Japanese homes. Unfortunately that makes that music all the uglier.

[@690yen]

I love this music he chose. Fits the scene to perfection

[@veramae4098]

I thought the music was very expressive of the work he's doing here. Hard. Repetitive. Can't ignore. (I also turned the volume WAY DOWN and put cc on.)

[@emmablake1300]

You could also get a pet Panda to eat it for you.

[@junhanl811]

then he would have a poop infestation LOL

[@AbsoluteMiniacGena]

I thought about pandas too 🐼

[@spacewolfcub]

Literally my first thought! :D Glad it wasn't only me thinking it.

[@sammybubba176]

@@spacewolfcub - same. wondered if they could donate it.

[@sharpieart100]

panda doesnt like loud music.

[@690yen]

Yo straight up that tune was awesome. Gave the scene so much energy. Love these videos. Wow

[@balesjo]

Here in the States, our aunt planted a running variety of bamboo about 40 years ago. Since the it has taken over the yard on the east side, completely swallowing a summer house that exists down there. My sister bought the house after our Aunt passed away. We have tried several methods to try to get some control over eradicating it, but it does come back. You have to watch it and be proactive in getting out and ready to chop it down at ground level as soon as you see it. The only way we almost got rid of a lot of it was this. Two years ago we had severe winter cold and snow for several weeks, with days well below freezing and nights pushing close to 0 degrees F during the same period. As soon as the weather warmed, it appeared we had a lot of dead bamboo (which still shows up in the middle of the thicket two years later). If you ever want to plant bamboo in your landscape, be sure you buy and plant the clumping varieties, not the running ones.

[@sharon314]

Your crazy to plant BAMBOO ANY WHERE !!! EXCEPT for "heavenly Bamboo!!! I think anyway???? I am so over ran with Bamboo here in the PACIFIC NORTH WEST, ITS HORRIBLE !!! I AM ABOUT READY TO GO NUTS !!!!😢

[@paulbeebe9182]

Good job on that Bamboo. Doing anything with Bamboo is a real mother of a job.

[@onlyLowen]

Im getting so incredibly excited just watching this. That stuff I do as a part timer at a moving company besides my computer science expert job, just because I love seing places transform into amazing landscapes when you give them a little bit of love and care.

[@Free_Moonshadow]

We have had since we bought out OK house 20 years ago a substantial amount of Japanese knotweed to clear, and keep cleared took us about 10 years of Slash, burn, poison twice annually. Totally different climate but still very invasive - good luck. Only recently found your channel so binge watching to catch up xx Certainly enjoying the unique aspects of your challenge.

[@yolandacrittenden7279]

More, more, more. This is incredibly interesting. Can’t wait to see it finished.

[@maikutsukino4743]

I did not know that tip about cutting the bamboo until it just stopped growing. Something to remember because a lot of the akiya I've seen online have thick groves that would need clearing. Arigato gozaimasu for the vid and info!

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks - check out the comments to this vid - others have useful ideas and tips for bamboo. I'm not necessarily doing it best way.

[@ZacharyDBrooks]

With certain invasive weeds in the United States, you water the ground, then cover it with black plastic sheeting for about 8 weeks during hot weather. It makes the roots rot away quicker.

[@JnSobre]

I just burn some wood over the exposed roots and problem solved in one day.

[@lesliekilgore648]

bamboo is more invasive though. every main stalk that shoots up out of the ground can be supported or can become the support system, called a 'mother tree', for a huge network of underground horizontal growing feeder roots. each time a root reaches a genetic distance from the 'mother tree' it grows a fresh bamboo shoot and it grows up out of the ground. some bamboo species are 'clumpers' they grow in bushes that are tight. and other species are 'runners' that spread out and create swaths of land like bamboo forests. we're talking acres upon acres of bamboo in less than five years if it's not stopped. oh and bamboo shoots can break building foundations if the 'mother tree' isn't killed first. so, black plastic isn't exactly going to deter a bamboo shoot. there's even an ancient Chinese torture manual that 'supposedly shows' how to stake a man to the ground over a bamboo shoot and it'll grow up THROUGH his body. but that's mostly an urban legend/folk tale/mythology. it'd take more than a year or two for a shoot to pierce through a man. and he'd die of exposure, dehydration, starvation first and start to decay. therefore his corpse would be quite easily pierced. his body would also be fertilizing the soil underneath his corpse making the shoot grow even faster. which would probably make it LOOK like the bamboo shoot killed him as it grew up through his still living body. :)

[@veramae4098]

Maybe its not bamboo; maybe its TRIFFIDS! Does it walk when you don't look?? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triffid

[@luthiersdaughter9134]

Yes, we have ryobi tools in the US. Home Depot carries the brand. They're good tools. I had a cordless drill and it is still going strong. Good luck with the bamboo dude. Your going to need it!! Bamboo is EXTREMELY strong and invasive! It will grow right through a concrete foundation if it gets close to a house. Once you have it I've never heard of anyone getting rid of it. Sorry to bum you out. But I'll be watching to see if you have good luck with your plan. Fingers crossed for you!

[@michaelkingdon3500]

Luthiers Daughter use a vinegar , salt and washing up juice on leaves. Leave for a couple of weeks before cutting, it won't return.

[@fhinnes]

Honestly, the music is so gooooood, keep up the great work

[@Derekuma]

Hi, just discovered your channel,.. you are living my dream,... the buying & renovation part , not the cutting bamboo part. You should have used the tractor !!! or did you sell it ! I can tell you from experience , waiting for bamboo to " run out of energy & die" is somewhat wishful thinking,.. but good luck. I will get back to binge watching your videos & live my dream thru you.

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, we sold the tractor. I found the bamboo cutting slightly fun. I've cut it back again a few times. Seems to be much slower to come back now, but could be the season.

[@MagixMina]

Its so saticefying to see how different it looks without that chunk of Bamboo

[@junichiikeda5860]

Excellent series. Thanks for posting your journey.

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@ytkealoha]

i use a honda saw like this to do battle with meadow wort in my pasture. more fun watching you. nice production of the videos. well done

[@speedstrn]

If I were a panda bear, I'd be so jealous of all that bamboo.

[@mikemccar1296]

I saw one of these saws in one of the sheds and figured they used it to keep the bamboo in line.

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, we’ve come across a couple of them in the sheds. We’ve found a lot of the power tools left behind actually still work.

[@DovidM]

One thing to watch out for when using a brush cutter: walk the area first to determine if there are rocks, wires or metal poles sticking up in the area you are attempting to clear. You don’t want shrapnel flying off in all directions. You seemed to be aiming very low. I would go higher for the first attempt, and then clear what you’ve cut so that you can take second pass. Also, cutting bamboo off close to the ground is not really necessary.

[@wildycabrera6961]

This is all hard work but the good thing is the reward.

[@claudias.4094]

I enjoyed watching the author work. Nice video. Great job.

[@sharpieart100]

your video doesnt need music. really good document.

[@Snowy_Night_Qc]

wasnt there one of those bushwackers already in the shed when you made the first tour? I tought I spotted one with a rusty blade laying around...

[@theunaimedarrow4903]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn-pdWycgLSKn8U

[@lesliekilgore648]

five years of exposure, IF it was under the open sided roof of that shed. Japan has a rainy season/monsoon. they're tropical and on the Pacific side of the main island near Tokyo. typhoons. aka hurricanes as we call them on the Atlantic side of the world.

[@Cinkodacs]

Even if it would have been kept in a closed storage it would have been hell to figure out how to start it for anyone not that good with engines (like me), it could have also needed a few parts to repair.

[@princesasion28]

Woow que cantidad de trabajo pero sacando todo ese bambú se renueva el lugar y el solo vuelve a llenar ese espacio y podrá plantar otras plantas, flores y arbolitos mas lindos 😁

[@IsisOya]

What will you do with all the bamboo? Firewood? Is there any benefit for you to have some bamboo growing on your property? It's such a renewable resource.

[@gameplayjfk]

Your videos are so entertaining

[@thatgirl3757]

I noticed a lot of comments on the music, well, I like the music but, it's WAY too loud

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, yes, it was one of my first videos, so was new to the editing process. Will try to get the volume right in future videos. Thanks for watching!

[@rossmacintosh5652]

@@TokyoLlama I thought your choice of music was terrific. It suited how quickly you were moving cutting the bamboo in fast motion. I had no problem with the volume, and if I did I would have turned it down in the youtube viewer controls.

[@exploringlife738]

@@rossmacintosh5652 There may be a few people who, when it comes to being interested in signing on to Japanese farmhouse restoration, would really love to hear music that is associated with the honor and dignity of such a place. It can be done ... both showing the effort and care of the renovator/owner, and supporting the superb skill of the builder. I had to turn off the techno-buzz and it left the vid rather 2-dimensional ... I do look forward to the evolution of music and video as renovations develop. An incredible opportunity to experience something I would have loved to do, if it had been possible way back in the 70s. Deeply appreciate watching this farm come back to life.

[@oranjmusemeyer968]

@@exploringlife738 that's the beauty of KZbin, creators get to be creators. He obviously liked the music, it's his video after all. We are just along for the ride! He said the house was only about 30 years old, it's not an ancient temple. I think he makes the music himself, lighten up.

[@Adderkleet]

1:43 - you had me worried there. Good to see protection.

[@deploribusunum3894]

All the fishermen in me could see was fishing poles galore! Lol.

[@karfulov]

I enjoyed watching that. I wonder how long it took to clear that patch of bamboo. It looks extensive

[@melodyvoss]

In fast forward, the bamboo looks alive like it's coming after him.

[@paulsmith8212]

Tiny chutes, I have six - ten inch diameter chutes. What your using is good for dinky stuff. Looking for something to use on larger bamboo.

[@daleyounts3426]

Massive job! Well done

[@thewife7776]

Gotta love a scrub-saw!

[@gdj11]

Didn't know you could buy safety goggles in Japan. I never see farmers using them. Setting a good example good job.

[@lashlarue7924]

6:00 oh, there's a house back there!

[@ginolarrosa]

you have a wonderful home - Thank you for sharing

[@hawkkim1974]

that's quite a nice tool. I'm interested in that tool for my battle with bamboo forest.

[@FreedomEikaiwa]

What part of Ibaraki is this? We are also close to Joban (Mito station) and live in the countryside. Love to trade bush cutter stories if you have time. I’m looking forward to watching more of these country home renovation videos!

[@thedanyesful]

Would be a good idea to get some cut-resistant chaps to use with that.

[@maximf.5537]

love the videos, so rewarding to see the progress

[@DlashDC]

You can put black plastic over the area keeping the bamboo from getting sun light. Leave the plastic for a few month. Then you can turn the soil and plant something else.

[@victoriaalvarez6827]

waw!! wat a lot of work!!

[@wellmakeitworth1316]

Did you save some? They're good for furniture making.

[@onizk]

This might be a silly question but: Is there a way to sell all that bamboo? It seems like a lot of waste and I wondered if someone might want to take it for a small price.

[@TokyoLlama]

I gave it to neighbours to use for their tomatoes.

[@onizk]

Tokyo Llama ahh that’s awesome! I’m a big recycling buff and I hate things going to waste. These videos are awesome. Thank you for sharing!

[@patmurphy389]

That's a lot of cane fishing poles there. Was that a solar panel on that shed roof?

[@ThomasB-656]

How do you get rid of all that cut brush? Here we would just burn it but I'm sure Japan has very strict rules against that.

[@gardenknitter4]

Are you allowed to burn brush on your property?

[@naoyukisasanami]

Leave roots You can harvest seasonal bamboo sprouts

[@CrimsonKage]

I mean, I just came from your yard walk-through, and I swear I saw one of those saws sitting outside already. Just gonna assume it didn't work though.

[@W4iteFlame]

Good this bamboo is so thin. Also seems like I've been cutting the bamboo near some small town on Kyushu around the same time of a year...interesting

[@101life9]

This bamboo variety can be very invasive. We have them in in the south of US 😊

[@trizvanov]

Is Ryobi of Japan the same cheap brand as it is at Bunnings, here in Australia ?

[@TokyoLlama]

Yes, it’s the same Japanese brand.

[@growmance2191]

Bamboo makes good building material as its sturdy material

[@buddtwin2]

You use them by starting high on the plant and working your way down cutting it into pieces. Hope that helps

[@TokyoLlama]

Thanks, I’ll give that a try.

[@wendyon4517]

You wouldn't do that. Brush cutters are for use low to the ground.

[@SkypowerwithKarl]

It may take a few years but you have to never let it get energy of the sun. Every week look around even where it never was before. Round Up won’t touch the stuff, so don’t bother.

[@davescheer5038]

Does the tractor run that came with your home I would have used it to clear the property, you need to take out the roots or that bamboo with keep coming back , I just took out two patches last year , what a job !

[@Spetsialista]

can you use all those bamboo for fences or decoration?

[@TokyoLlama]

I’ve mulched most of the bamboo to use on the garden (after I make it). We’re also given some of it away to neighbours to use as stakes for their tomato vines. We don’t really have fences but some of the neighbours use it to make fences though.

[@NewEnglandgardening]

Looks like a lot of opportunities here for video content. Maybe get that tractor up and running to help with the yard work. It would be interesting to get that solar hot water maker up and running if possible. Looks like a good Airbnb opportunity.

[@mauricepowers3804]

I had to turn the volume way down that music if that's what it was was a really hard on the ears and the head. I can't wait to see your finished product

[@TokyoLlama]

He he, that was one of my early videos, was still learning how to edit.

[@alukuhito]

Just curious what you do with all the stuff you cut down. Do you burn it? Cut it into 30 cm long sticks and throw it out with the garbage?

[@BocaNejra]

With runner bamboo types you better dig them up or put a barrier, otherwise they will keep growing and growing and running under the soil... cheers.

[@cherylmedeiros6287]

I heard bamboo is really hard to kill. You're going to have an awesome mulch pile though. Is that a weed Wacker with a blade?

[@philedwards2213]

You should have had a go at fixing the tractor, with that much land it would have be a great help.

[@narayanareddy8660]

Is there any saw or any other sturdy machine to cut the stems of about 2 to 3 inches diameter very close to ground?

[@f.demascio1857]

Good luck man. Bamboo is tenacious and different species require different methods for eradication.

[@KymHammond]

A lot of fun!

[@sofielea]

Great Videos. Whats the music? I personally had no problems with it - i successfully managed to locate the volume and turn it right up :j

[@TristanVash38]

darude sandstorm

[@junhanl811]

dude bamboo shoots are nice eats

[@naoentranumasmeu]

I am a Scout Boy, and here in Brazil we use bamboo very much for our strutures. I wish help you to leaving all this wood.

[@kagusarider]

amazing sir 👍😊

[@josephinesingson175]

I'm telling u its worth all ur money and effort knowing the rent their is so Takao foa small room..ull find gem there it's a big space..ull realized how lucky u are soon..I had lived in ibaraki..

[@dannypowers4995]

My Red Max weed trimmer dealer told me to slam the blade into those bamboo stalks. He told me to swing the trimmer like I was trying to hit a baseball. I did and it worked perfect. Only problem is public works will only pick up the bamboo if it's cut in half.

[@younome1845]

How is this turning out for you? I’m curious for your Reply. I bought a house with a huge patch of bamboo between me and the neighbors yard/fence. Unfortunately where I live all the big bamboo removal company’s are quoting me 8-12k to get there equipment out to me and get the job done because of how far away I am from them and I don’t have that kind of money anytime soon to spend on bamboo but The longer I wait the more it grows out and runs farther and farther. I was actually told by a old old landscaper in my home town that has had good success with removing bamboo that Aslong as you cut off all the main root systems from spreading( aka putting up a barrier between me and the neighbors yard) cut it down to ground level. And mow it for 3 years it will eventually run out of energy and die. He told me he’s done it dozens of times with his clients and up to a acre of land at a time. He said Aslong as you stick to it.You will notice progress and the roots slowly will rot from underneath. I’m trying to find any method that doesn’t involve 10k. does it seem to be working for you? Thanks again.

[@xxxxxx-kn4bm]

The way this video is edited is so odd, yet so compelling...

[@junhanl811]

the shoots grow thats when u cut them and harvest them

[@waynelkduarte45]

Whenever I removed bamboo I used a cane knife or loppers to cut it low then chop it with the weed eater saw blade it was easier

[@GAURAVYADAV-fn2pr]

Good music 🎶👍🏼👍🏼

[@BlueConjurer]

to me that is a string trimmer with saw blade. and you and you can buy a string head at a later date and turn it in to a string trimmer, if need. there are more costly ones that have a quick connect heads. that allow you change the head/working end to many other tools such as broom, blower, soil tiller. hedge trimmer, pole saw, snow blower. in the sort term it may not be worth it, or the up front cost, but if you need all these tools it will save you money and shed space. sorry i went on a rant i love tool watching projects like see what kind of problems they run in to. keep up the good work.

[@randhirsookdeo4578]

New subscriber here. I'm looking at the clearing of the bamboo and thinking that using a Machete (Cutlass) would be a lot more efficient. Speaking from personal experience. I'll be looking at all the other videos in the series. All the best for the future.

[@SpiritsVisceral]

Machetes won't cut thicker culms without considerable effort +5 chops. And the blade dulls very quickly. It was the first thing I tried. Now really large bypass loppers on the other hand work well. Brush cutter is still less effort and gets very low to the ground.

[@Beecozz7]

I admit I mute the music, good video though, are those solar panels on that shed?

[@mbroa2280]

Did you ever get rid of the bamboo? If so what did you do?

[@rolandogarcia2989]

Noticed that you had one cutter when you showed what was in the shed and house.

[@Bigotedechivo]

what's the music?? it's super cool

[@hebneh]

I wish you the best of luck in this struggle, which will go on for years. I was thinking that unfortunately the bamboo will gratefully grow into the area occupied by the shed after it was removed, increasing the area it’s already taken over.

[@user-rr1br7gs6u]

The music is so fun tho! XD

[@mr.simulator4724]

Hey I noticed that there was old clearing saw in your first video. Have you tried using it?

[@iversonjcameron]

Ripping out bamboo at the washington dc zoo near the panda exhibit was not easy as a contractor.... but you have to ripp out the root system or it comes back with a vengance

[@tinekejoldersma]

We're a 1/2 year down after this video and your struggle with the bamboo. I had a garden renovation when my help was asked. Turned out it was covered in bamboo. I had it fenced underground by concrete and taken of all the ground including the roots. then had it covered in concrete with drainage and filled with earth. It awful to have bamboo, you can't cover it with black plastic as it comes right through, it's so strong. So don't cover it with gravel, it will be your returning nightmare. Just like the lawn, Japan can be so hot and it needs gallons of water then. I am so curious how all will turn out. Made Japanese gardens but not in Japan ;>D

[@gnaarW]

where's the little shed? there's the little shed!

[@TokyoLlama]

I miss that little shed.

[@Hexauslion]

@@TokyoLlama what was that ontop of the little shed. a solar water heater or something?

[@Retorio]

Love the song! What is it? Who is it?

[@99Racker]

In a lot of jungles, that is where you find the vipers.

[@snorkosaurus]

could have used a tesla flamethrower instead, more fun

[@TavsIsAbout]

How long does a blade last doing this?

[@heavenlyavenger]

Have you tried starting the clearing saw (rusty) you had near the bicycles in the sheds? You probably scrapped it by now.

[@freddiemiranda5366]

Good job I guess you don't need to go to the gim after this nothing that is worthy is easy keep going and take care.