Cutting Bamboo at the node

[CaroleMeckes]

One skill to be developed when working with cutting bamboo is to cut right in the middle of the node.

If done successfully, you end up with a solid end on each end of your cut.

Each node of a bamboo culm consists of two rings that encircle the culm.
The lower ring is the sheath scar, the place where the culm leaf sheath was originally attached to the culm. The upper ring is a swelling of the culm called the nodal ridge.


The center of the sheath scar is where to make the cut, to achieve this effect.


It is challenging (and fun) to make the cut in the right down the middle of the node diaphragm.


This type of cut is especially beneficial if you will be using your piece outside, because it prevents water from collecting in the open hole.

Some reasons why this is important are:
a) standing water could act as a breeding ground for mosquitos.
b) standing water could hasten degradation of the bamboo

The photos accompanying this text are Phyllostachys aureosulcata, which has a more pronounced nodal ridge than the Phyllostachys aurea species that I usually work with.

Carole