What is the best bamboo for edible shoots, or for lumber?
>FOR
SHOOTSDoes this mean the best tasting? Some like sweet, some like bitter. Some species yield more pounds per acre, some have a longer harvest season. The nature of your soil and water resources is an important consideration.
>FOR LUMBER
Does the “best” mean the strongest, the straightest, the most durable, the most flexible, the most bug resistant? Does it mean the most canes or tonnage per acre? Do you want to use the bamboo “as is " (i.e. in the round) or do you want to mill it for composites or laminates? Do you want it primarily for furniture?
Because there is no simple, all-encompassing answer to these , we’ve decide to tell you the version that makes the most sense to us.
Because we do not believe in mono cropping, and because we want to have an extended harvesting season, we believe in planting several varieties.
While many bamboos have edible shoots, we think that if you are planting for commercial usage, these are your best bets... We think that more water = sweeter shoots. Also, the sooner the shoots are harvested (less sun exposure on shoots).
Dendrocalamus latiflorus
Dendrocalamus yunnanicus
Dendrocalamus asper Indonesian clone
Nastus elatus
Bambusa oldhamii
Thyrsostachys siamensis
Many bamboos are used around the world for construction purposes. Traditionally, people use what is available to them. Some material is better than others. If you are living in an area where mature stands of bamboo exist we suggest try using what is locally available. Bamboos are made of cellulose just like your favorite lumber. If you want your construction project or craft to last, the bamboo will need to be made resistant to weather and insects.. For the current state of knowledge on preserving bamboo see BAMBOO PRESERVATION COMPENDIUM by Walter Liese and Satish Kumar (ISBN 81-901808-0-0).
If you are looking to plant ‘elite’ species, specifically for construction purposes, here are some of our favorite recommendations, in no particular order of preference.
Dendrocalamus asper – we like the clones, black caned or green caned, from Indonesia. These plants will grow tall (to around 80 feet) with long straight sections to the canes, often in the diameter of 8 plus inches. The fibers are strong.
Dendrocalamus yunnanicus – another very large bamboo. The height of these straight and strong canes is approximately 70 feet. This bamboo is used for construction and, more recently, for bamboo fiber.
Gigantochloa apus – we don’t do too much of this plant because we are primarily a landscape nursery, but this plant is the traditional building material in Indonesia. To around 60 feet with 4 inch diameter canes.
Gigantochloa atter – one of our favorites. The canes are extremely straight and strong. Canes often in the 4 inch neighborhood. Height about 60 feet tall.
Gigantochloa Maxima – to around 70 feet with straight canes.
Guadua angustofolia (several clones). These are the thorny construction bamboos of South America. We think they are great plants but rarely make them anymore because hardly any one wants to deal with the thorns. If you are intrepid, this is a great, inexpensive way to go.
Thyrsostachys siamensis – a smaller and more compact plant than any of the above. This plant can be maintained in a small footprint. The canes are around 2” diameter, very flexible yet strong and almost solid, grow to about 40 feet. Sometimes called ‘iron bamboo’ in Thailand. This is a great one if you don’t need it fast and if you don’t want it huge.
Pring Tutul: This is the leopard spotted cane from Indonesia. Almost all the plants labeled Bambusa maculata that are in the United States (including Hawaii), that are supposed to be this plant, are not. The real Pring Tutul has stripes on the basal nodes and it has canes that mottle post harvest. Stunning for architectural accents and furniture.
A couple of other plants that we think are worth growing for lumber are:
Mexican Weeping Bamboo (Otatea acuminata aztecorum) 2” solid canes suitable for pegs and dowels.
Bambusa Lako also known as Timor Black holds the black color of the canes post harvest. Straight canes to about 50 feet tall and 4” in diameter. Great for furniture.
Gigantochloa atroviolacea – another black caned bamboo to about 50 feet with 4” canes. Similar to Gigantochloa atter but with black canes.
Gigantochloa Bali Whitestripe a very good plant (in a really useful size) for minor construction and crafts. Like the other Gigantochloas it does well in dry and windy conditions. 2-3” diameter canes to 40 ft. in Height.
Gigantochloa Pseudoarundinacea Medium another really good construction bamboo from Indonesia. 3-4” diameter canes, to 40 ft. in height.. Very straight vertical canes.