Bamboo, often planted for its aesthetic appeal or as a privacy screen, is the cause behind a growing number of power outages.
Officials at Rappahannock Electric Cooperative say as an invasive species, it spreads aggressively, choking out native plants and disrupting local ecosystems. Once planted, bamboo is difficult to manage or remove. In fact, REC says, mowing it can cause it to flourish and spread more rapidly.
Bamboo also threatens REC’s infrastructure. When left unchecked, bamboo can grow quickly into overhead power lines, posing a serious risk for power outages.
REC’s Vegetation Management team has been working closely with homeowners to address bamboo growth. Using herbicides, they treat and remove bamboo near power lines to prevent outages and maintain safety.
Many localities in Virginia have started regulating bamboo, with ordinances that address its planting and maintenance to help control its spread.
“Bamboo’s invasive nature not only causes ecological devastation, but it also threatens power reliability as it grows into overhead power lines,” said Cindy Devlin Musick, Director of Vegetation Management Services. “It’s one of the worst species to plant on your property.”
Musick’s advice for REC members: Don’t plant bamboo, and research plants, bushes and trees before planting them on your property. Photo: REC
