PO Timber Production

ReducedToZero · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: PO Timber Production

Anyone interested in the applications of bamboo in a PO world, as a personal building material and perhaps a way to support yourself?

I would kill to have about 5 acres right now to grow some Vietnamese bamboo on.

Ludi · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: PO Timber Production

I have one bamboo plant - does that count?

Smile

Phyllostachys dulcis

Actually, I bought it as much for its edible properties as its usefulness otherwise.
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SILENTTODD · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject: Re: PO Timber Production

jlw61 · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: PO Timber Production

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1313

I have a healthy stand of bamboo on the south and west fence lines. The stuff grows to about an inch across, maybe 20 feet high. It sends out so many runners which grow so fast, if I'm out of town for 3 weeks the new shoots will be 6 feet high. You an almost see the stuff move it grows so fast. I have no idea what the cultivar is, I simply call it "bamboo." Close examination has shown me no edible portions, but I've not tried eating the leaves.

The stand, while only about 6 feet thick, serves as a natural fence between my property and the idiots to the south. You can't see through it. I've thought that if the stuff was wired together it would make an excellent obstacle for perimeter defense. Getting through a wired stand would be time consuming and make a fair amount of noise, offering time to evacuate or lock and load. The stuff is a green wall 30 feet long. Wiring it together is not needed to support it for wind or storm, and the stuff wont blow down-had a tornado come through a couple months ago.

The stuff is versatile around here. I use it to support beans, peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I stick it in the dog kennel so the chickens have a perch. I shove it in the ground at the corners of the raised beds to keep the garden hose from dragging through the plants. I've used some to stake a place for storing the bamboo. A guy I work with took a few home to use for fishing. I rake up the copious leaves once a year to add to the compost heap.

I've considered other uses. Cutting it into shorter lengths for use as sides for the beds. Tie it together to use as walls for a solar hot water shower, walls for a storage shed, or a top for an outdoor worktable. Punji sticks are a possible use. When I get the farm going, some of this stuff is going with me for sure.

If you live nearby (north Florida), come help yourself. Get some transplants going, start a stand of your own.
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alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 872

I read about it and thought about it, if I would have some land....
There is a big difference between running (nasty) and clumping ((good) bamboo, the latter seems to be of better quality.

I read as well that the bamboo needs to be treated for outdoor use (maybe there is something else that chemicals)

I even don't have one in the garden - they're expensive, but I will soon (for propagation purposes if we will ever get land)

You can grow it for the shoots as well and sell them to the Asian people.