Bamboo 101

Maasin - OTOP Bamboo stock, originally uploaded by suvajack.

Bamboo, or the family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae (for you biology particulars out there) is a wood perennial evergreen, and is a true grass. There are over a 1,250 species most growing within 40 degrees of either side of the equator. Here in the PI, there are 62 species, 21 of which are endemic or native. The applications are diverse, ranging from fabric, paper, food, charcoal, and exemplary design materials. We are now in an exciting time of increasing technological advances where we will probably see sustainable bamboo replace slow-growing solid wood as the new residential building material. An interesting fact is that a 60 foot tree cut for market takes 60 years to replace. A 60 foot bamboo cut for market takes 59 days to replace. These facts come courtesy of the informative website for the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR). Link located on side bar.

// Cons
Susceptible to fungi and insects
Misconceptions as poor man's lumber
Still figuring it out...

// Pros
Appealing aesthetic
Tensile strength
Extraordinary hardness
Renewable + sustainable
Abundance and rate of regeneration
Quick to reach harvest maturity: +3 yrs.
Easy propagation
Not clearcut during harvest unlike wood
Plantations remain green + O2 producing
Diverse range of possible applications