Battling a “‘bamboozling’ menace” at Broad Branch Stream

John Burwell and some of the collected bamboo

The volunteer team that’s been removing invasive plants at Broad Branch Stream has lately been fighting a bamboo invasion, or as team leader John Burwell calls it, “this ‘bamboozling’ menace.”

Burwell gave us an update on the work.

The transplanted Pinehurst Project crew has been working in Broad Branch between 36th Street and Linnean Avenue during the winter to clear invasive plants and vines. Our aim is to improve the environment and save native plants and trees.

We’ve recently moved east across Linnean Avenue and started tackling the clumps of invasive bamboo growing in and around the stream. These clusters of bamboo may have been seeded from a large stand north of Broad Branch Road on Carnegie Institution property. Or, as a nearby resident believes, they may come from residential property. Either way, this “bamboozling” menace will continue deliver seeds of this rapidly spreading species in increasing amounts. Efforts are underway to persuade Carnegie to remove this giant mass, which incidentally is surrounding a fire hydrant.

The bamboo stand on the Carnegie Institution grounds at 5241 Broad Branch Road

Removal is slow and will take some time, but the crew is confident that with the right tools all of it can be removed this season. A force of National Park Service-permitted Weed Warriors is scheduled to unearth more bamboo April 17th.

Volunteers Steve Lukaczer (left) and Chris Dorval

Tied bundles of bamboo stalks are being stacked for disposal with authorities already notified and ready to schedule pick up of the debris.