Lablatz
19th April 2005, 06:51 PM
Does anyone have any information about planting bamboo on or near a septic drainfield? I'd like to plant at the edge (within 5 ft) of my drainfield, but I don't want to damage my system.
Mark Meckes
27th April 2005, 02:56 PM
Hi, tough questions! This is because every septic drainage field is different, depending on location, topography, soil conditions, type of system and so on.
On the positive side, bamboo can be very beneficial by taking up nutrients discharged into the soil, thus preventing ground wter pollution.
On the negative side, if any discharge pipes are near the ground surface that allow access to the rhizomes and roots, the may get clogged up, causing malfunction of the septic system.
Generally speaking rhizomes (which could cause the most potentail damage by invading pipes) are no deeper then 12+" of the surface. (variable with species and soil conditions)
Bamboo rhizome/roots will not grow, or grows poorly where the soil is constantly waterlogged.
On a personal note I did grow Phyllostachys species down the hill from an `ancient' septic system, (that comprised of a below ground septic tank at the top of the hill with no other system in place except natural perculation into heavy clay/rocky type soil), and the bamboo did quick work (and flourished) by absorbing any downflow of moisture and nutrients. A perfect situation for bamboo.
Mark