Source for bamboo timber?

[Lee M-S]

Anybody know where I can find big timber bamboo? I want to use it for building a shack, kind of like the one by the highway north of Hilo.

Cut and ready is preferred, we have a dry place to age it.
thanks for any tips!

><(((*> ~~~~ ><(("> ~~~~ ><'> ~~~~ >(>

[kaialoha]

Dried and ready is PREFERABLE over fresh cut UNLESS you know what you're doing as far as 'curing' it goes. MOST 'timber bamboo' is ready after 3-7 years of growth because the growth of the plant itself INSIDE the internode (long smooth area between the 'rings' or nodes) has finally filled in and become MUCH stronger. In other words, the OLDER the bamboo 'culm' (shoot) the stronger and better for 'construction' purposes.

Here's a GREAT source of information regarding Timber Bamboo and though they are kind of targeting Guadua species, the information is generally true for all TB's: http://www.guaduabamboo.com/bamboo-preservation.html

NOTE the info on the issues with rot, mold, insects, and basic integrity ~ ~ ~

ALOHA

Punanny

[unknownjulie]

I planted some "iron" bamboo and was told this was the best kind for building because of the thick walls. Don't know if this is true or not. I've seen bamboo on craigslist, but don't know the quality.

[kaialoha]

Iron Bamboo, aka (scientific identification) Ferrocalamus strictus is also identified as a 'Dendrocalamus' genus by some growers though in my own experience 'Dendrocalamus' is a different and distinct genus of it's own. Iron Bamboo does have thicker walls but with a lower 'silicon' content that makes for easily scarred/damaged culms/shoots that may not appeal to some growers. In virtually all bamboos, the older they are, the stronger the internode becomes as it loses water content and gains fibrous growth inside the internode. Note that all bamboos reach their maximum height AND girth in 28 days but continue to grow fibrous materials within the internode for MANY years afterwards. Basically the older a bamboo is, the stronger it is. Iron Bamboo has a straggly/rangy growth habit that some growers don't like and an unkempt grove of this species is not attractive. Other issues with certain genus and species of bamboos are the difficulty in curing them correctly for use in construction, NOT an easy task. What is the 'best' bamboo for construction is arguable and almost always depends on WHERE it's grown, WHAT it's being used for (ie, 'structural', 'decorative', 'appearance', etc) and WHEN one would use any particular species. IF you have the patience to wait, some kinds of Timber Bamboo are far superior to other TB's for their strength and structural integrity characteristics. There are a number of Bamboo Growers on the Big 'I' and a trip through their nurseries is the best way to determine 'quality'. I would question their attention to eliminating LFA's, Coqui(sp?) Frogs, and any other pest you may not wish to introduce into your environment. Also, if you have the room and space and resources, I HIGHLY suggest you locate your bamboos in raised planters of AT LEAST 18-24" deep so that you have better control of their growth habits and because they are MUCH easier to 'divide' when you can just remove a wall of the planter. Seek out 'clumping' OVER 'running' as that will make your life MUCH easier as well. Some Giant Timber Bamboo are 'runners' but have limited pups so ultimately are easier to control. Don't be surprised if you find a runner 'volunteer' MANY feet, even hundreds, away from where you planted the original clump (raised planters help to control that problem as well). When looking at bamboos to buy, look for robust culms and MULTIPLE culms because some nurseries are NOTORIOUS for charging a BUNCH of money for a single culm ~ ~ ~

Punanny

[unknownjulie]

I planted the "iron" for it's strength, but also because I was told I could eat the shoots. Have not tried this yet- because I'm allowing it to get established- but I will in the future.

[Mimosa]

There is a man in Hawaiian Acres who builds exclusively with just this sort of natural product.He had the contract to build the recycle centre in Pahoa and has done extensive buildings in Puako .
His own home is exquisite .
I can ask him if ok to call you as they have no internet and no landline or HELL CO .

[Lee M-S]

Sorry, I wandered off and didn't check in on this.

I just wanted to get some cut bamboo, my oldhamii are too young to provide what I need.

><(((*> ~~~~ ><(("> ~~~~ ><'> ~~~~ >(>