Do you Bamboo?

EDDIE BUCK · #21 06/08/10, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Lindsay

When people ask why on earth I planted that terribly invasive plant I give them the following list (from memory):

1.You can eat the shoots.
2. Animal feed.
3. Erosion Control
4. Wind Break.
5. Building material/plant stakes ect.
6. Nutrient removal from runoff.
7. Visual screen.
8. Cool place for kids to play.
9. Adds excitement to the bonfire.
10. I just plain like it!

I have liked it since I was a kid, I can't wait until my grove is fully established. During shooting season I walk down to it almost every day to see what has sprung up!

Yep,all those and if you like watching something grow,it will show you that as well.Amazingly fast.What is also amazing,is,it comes out of the ground the largest diameter it will ever be.

SirDude · #22 06/08/10, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Lindsay

When people ask why on earth I planted that terribly invasive plant I give them the following list (from memory):

1.You can eat the shoots.
2. Animal feed.
3. Erosion Control
4. Wind Break.
5. Building material/plant stakes ect.
6. Nutrient removal from runoff.
7. Visual screen.
8. Cool place for kids to play.
9. Adds excitement to the bonfire.
10. I just plain like it!

I have liked it since I was a kid, I can't wait until my grove is fully established. During shooting season I walk down to it almost every day to see what has sprung up!

Matt, I know you did that by memory, but maybe don't forget to tell them;
11. You like breathing oxygen!
12. You are doing your part in cleaning up the mess we all make out of the air by driving every where.
13. It's cool, no, really, it's natures version of A/C. Down here in FL, in my neighbor's yard it's a lot nicer to sit outside then to sit in mine. Not to mention he supplies the drinks.

14. And, not all Bamboo in invasive. Some spread from their roots, but some are pretty good neighbors. LOL

Silvercreek Farmer · #23 06/09/10, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirDude

And, not all Bamboo in invasive. Some spread from their roots, but some are pretty good neighbors. LOL

Unfortunatly the big clumpers do not grow well here or I would have some of those too!

CaliannG · #24 06/09/10, 01:26 PM

There are timber type bamboos that can tolerate temps to -5 degrees in winter... and these are kinds that you can use to build *houses*.

While not so great for firewood, bamboo is still REALLY fast growing and works wonderfully for building structures. Especially those outbuildings like hen houses, ect., or for making portable fence panels... or even permanent fences.

Timber bamboo reaches diameters of 5-8 inches and grows 50+ ft. Can you imagine the cost of plain yellow pine timbers of that size?

GrayDay · #25 06/09/10, 01:38 PM

My kids use some of our bamboo poles to make the frames for teepees. They cover them with sheets or canvas. Sometimes we have a whole village in the back yard.

DaynaJ · #26 06/09/10, 03:44 PM

I left some @ our old house, would like to go get some of it to transplant to new house. Woman I originally bought it from said you need a chain saw or sharp axe to divide, is this true?

SirDude · #27 06/09/10, 05:17 PM

The few trees I have cut didn't take more then any hardwood, then again, a lot smaller diameter too. But if I remember correctly, it gummed up the saw a lot.

Now when dry, it's hard and cuts pretty nicely with the right saws. I've built an arch for my wedding out of Bamboo. Can screw through it for....well, it's better to wrap it with twine, etc.

EDDIE BUCK · #28 06/10/10, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaynaJ

I left some @ our old house, would like to go get some of it to transplant to new house. Woman I originally bought it from said you need a chain saw or sharp axe to divide, is this true?

If you are talking about digging up clumps of bamboo for transplanting,I have and it was some of the hardest work I ever done.Digging up a good sized root ball is heavy work alone,,plus cutting all the underground runners from that root ball.

I think I waited two or three days to recoup enough strength,to plant them.I used an ax and shovel.

Silvercreek Farmer · #29 06/10/10, 12:42 PM

These are worth the money if you are going to dig a lot of bamboo...

http://www.midatlanticbamboo.com/bam...mboo-spade.htm

But it still isn't easy!