cut bamboo - what to do with it?

[Natasha Reilly]

Hi,
I live in Surrey, England and have a lot of bamboo growing in our garden.
We have the clumping variety as well as some other spreading varieties.
We had to cut a whole load down and it is now laying outside in assorted piles of different lengths. I would like to make something with it (probably for the garden), but don't have the time at the moment. Can it just be left like this outside, or do I need to do something with it so that I can use it?
Any advice, much appreciated. Can I send some photos so that it can be identified too?
Thanks very much.

[Mark Meckes]

Post moved into the Bamboo Preservation and Treatments Forum (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=111)

Another related forum is the Harvesting Bamboo / Grove management Forum (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1574)
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Hi Natasha,
The best way to store outside is standing upright.
Here's one of our backyard stacks Phyllostachys aurea propped against a ligustrum tree.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/662/thumbs/PaurAuTX060412-2502.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2953)

It's best not to leave their base in contact with the ground.
I will write more /take pics of methods I use.

... back to grove work :) ...

Mark

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Yes you can post your pics into this forum ... Bamboo ID? Ask here (http://www.bamboocraft.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=147)

Best to show one plant species per thread.
If you need assistance uploading pics you can contact me - click on my username :)

[Natasha Reilly]

Hi Mark,
I will prop the bamboo up then (why the advice about not leaving bases in contact with the ground, is that because they re-root, or do they get damaged?). I also read one of the other threads about drying it over a fire. So next time we have a fire, I will try that out. But I assume once you do this it can only be used stiff, so only good for making certain items. Will try and take some photos in a couple of weeks and then upload them for ID purposes. Until then, on with exam revision. Thanks for your speedy reply. :)

[sound world]

Used 'stiff' is fine!
How thick is it? Over an inch? If so,send some surplus over to me in Wilts!!
Good luck with your revision!

[Natasha Reilly]

But not sure how to get it to Wiltshire. You are welcome to it! We have loads more growing. thanks very much.

[sound world]

Natasha-I don't drive, but I'm too busy anyway to come and get it!
Send me an email and we can figure out a way of sending it by carrier which is the best way.
I need a bit more info about the bamboo too!

[Kimberly]

My hubby and I are cutting down a mess of bamboo in the back yard so that the electric co. can install new wires tomorrow. It's about 30 ft. tall and I hate it to go to waste and I've always thought it would be cool to build something or somethings in the back yard (we have a tropical landscape). Anyway, I thought I would start by covering our patio, but how do I keep the S. Texas heat from "eating it up"??? I also want to build a little shade hut by the pool, but don't want to go to all that work just to have it split in no time at all. Isn't there an easier way to preserve it other than fire or smoke!!!??? I kinda wanted to get it started today.........

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Kimberly,
Two things that will affect the longevity of bamboo for an outdoor structure are ...
- Species of bamboo
This can be offset by it being free. :)

- Age of bamboo culms at harvest
This is pretty important especially if in your situation, where all the bamboo from an area is being cut down, some of the culms will be immature.
Basically the nicest, greenest, freshest culms are the least mature, and though they could be used for various garden projects, they will be the first to break down over time.

Also as you sort through the bamboo, you may notice that some 'feel' stronger, and this is because some culms had more space to grow, while others may have been crowded out and may be more flimsy.

Another thing to keep in mind when building garden structures is that bamboo will begin to break down first at the point that it makes contact with the ground.
So one way to prolong the life of a structure is to make the primary uprights out of a treated wood or metal stakes or pipes.
With some things like fences, trellises, arbors of simple shade structures, they can be simply made by using metal fence stakes pounded into the ground for the uprights, and optionally tying bamboo uprights onto these stakes, then adding all the cross pieces.

For something with a little more permanence, metal pipes, like what is used to build chain-link fences, can be set in a concrete filled hole and everything built onto these.

There are a couple ways to build with bamboo, piece by piece onto the structure or fence being built, or building sections separately, then attaching the section to the structure.
The advantage of the latter is that when a time comes to replace a section, it can be removed and replaced as a section.

Okay, I haven't gone into details on how to preserve your bamboo, because, as per the title of your post ...you're looking for something quick and easy ...
I will suggest, apart from initially storing and drying your bamboo upright, to pick through your bamboo for the best pieces and go have some fun building with bamboo! :)

Mark