Bamboo may look peaceful, but it can turn into a legal tangle when it crosses property lines. In Texas, there’s no law written for bamboo, yet traditional property rules, and a few local ordinances, spell out who must deal with wayward shoots.

Q: We have had bamboo in our back yard for over 20 years. When we planted it, we were told it was the clumping type and would not spread. Our side neighbor has recently started complaining about some bamboo shoots popping up in their yard. There is a fence between our house and theirs. My husband, being the good neighbor, has gone over and removed the bamboo shoots in their yard each time they pop up. Now they found a shoot close to their foundation, and they want my husband to take care of it. We don't want this to escalate into a fight. Who is legally responsible for taking care of the bamboo on their........

© Houston Chronicle