removing leaves from bamboo

[bamboo4fun]

Hi all. Do the leaves fall off the bamboo or is there an easy/fast way to remove them? Also, are there any uses for the dry leaves? Thank you.

[CaroleMeckes]

Hi all. Do the leaves fall off the bamboo or is there an easy/fast way to remove them? Also, are there any uses for the dry leaves? Thank you.

Bamboo leaves fall off naturally and new leaves grow. That is one way that you can tell the age of the bamboo by counting the number of little "stubs" on the branches. When the leaf fall off it leaves a small stub. Each stub denotes a year of the life of that particular culm.

The dry leaves make wonderful mulch in the grove.

Why would you want to remove the leaves faster - is it because you want to make something with a piece of bamboo that has leaves on it?

[bamboo4fun]

Hi Carole. Sorry: my bamboo is drying. Left that part out..... : ) Thank you for the reply.

[CaroleMeckes]

sometimes if you shake the bamboo the leaves will come off if they are already dried

other wise - it just takes a few weeks for them to fall off naturally

[bamboo4fun]

Thank you Carole.

[CaroleMeckes]

Are you planning on cutting the branches off of the culms?

[bamboo4fun]

Well, I need just the culms. I think anyway. If the branches can be used for something, then I will use them somehow. Ideas/suggestions?

[bamboo4fun]

Trying to upload pic of bamboo. :(

[CaroleMeckes]

Well, I need just the culms. I think anyway. If the branches can be used for something, then I will use them somehow. Ideas/suggestions?

Here are 2 ways to remove branches:
Method #1 leaves a clean cut:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/509/thumbs/HandyHook060506-2794.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=1516)

Method #2 leaves a stub:
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/1/thumbs/1MVC-058F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=542)
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/1/thumbs/1MVC-059F.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=543)

Personally - I prefer to use the first method shown because it leaves a flat surface and I like to use the branch stubs to make pendants and earrings and bamboo buttons.

When I use method #2, I like to make my cut above node on the lowest part of the branch because I like to keep that part intact.

The branches are good for different things - such as flower arrangements, bamboo bead making, small plant stakes, games? like "pick up sticks" :), bamboo brush fences, etc.

Method # 2 is good if you want to create a fence that is like "barbed wire" (leaving the stubs longer) or if you want to use the branch stubs that are left on the bamboo to hang something on.

Remember - once you remove the branch stubs - you cannot put them back on....

Are you planning to make a fence?

Carole

[bamboo4fun]

We are indeed planning a fence or at least a covering against an existing fence.

Not sure how easy it is to see in this photo, but our culms have branches mostly going straight up. This pic is about 4 or 5 days after we put the culms in a make-shift support with the ends soaking in Boraxo and water. Unfortunately, the top ten feet or so was broken so they fit on our trailer to bring them home. They are around 20 feet tall in this pic with the excess (above 20 feet) hanging down.

[CaroleMeckes]

Gee! That is quite an impressive picture!
I usually debranch the poles before I try to let them dry and then I normally end up leaning them against a tree to dry. I have not ever tried to soak the culms in borax solution but it is great that you are doing that.

Please keep us informed of your progress.

Carole

[bamboo4fun]

The neighbors think so, too. : )
I used borax because I could not find straight boric acid, which I learned makes the bamboo insect and fire resistant. In fact, we use boraxo or borax in our Christmas tree water to flame-resistant the tree. Somewhere in my research, along with boric acid, I found that bamboo-lumber producers also use lime with the boric acid. However, I do not know what kind of lime, so I skipped its use.
With the next phase (de-leave and speed-dry the culms) and pic, I will update this thread.

[bamboo4fun]

Here are the culms, naked and drying. Soon I will try a halo torch to speed things up a bit.

[CaroleMeckes]

I see it took about a month for the leaves to fall off.

[bamboo4fun]

The leaves have been falling off for a while now: just ask the neighbors. : ) These pics are from last weekend when we removed the rest of the branches and leaves. It's hard to see, but under the grey cover to the center-rear of the pile of leaves is a 40" tall tire to give some perspective. Also, the pile was about 10 feet long and 8 feet wide.