Timber Bamboo

main bamboo image

Sweet Shoot Bamboo

Sweet Shoot Bamboo image Click to enlarge...

Bambusa Oldhami

Native to Southern China, this is one of the straightest growing bamboo species –  widely used for timber – has strength and durability. Widely cultivated in Taiwan for edible shoots.  Economical fast growing attractive large screening species.  Grown in shade is a darker green with silver powder on new culms.  In sunny conditions will take on a more orange hue. 

Large straight poles, which grow to 15 metres in ideal conditions with large dark foliage. Will handle wet feet – and also dry spells.  A frost tolerant plant – performs well in temperate climates. Oldhamii makes a good acoustic and/or wind barrier. 

Not recommended for smaller suburban properties - a great attractive larger hedge for acreages, or to quickly screen off an ugly building from view.  Sweet shoots are highly regarded.

Dendrocalamus Latiflorus

Dendrocalamus Latiflorus image Click to enlarge...

A giant bamboo native to China, growing 20-25 with culm walls over an inch thick, it is majestic in appearance with large foliage and huge culms, and long internode, growing in a tight clump formation.

This is an  excellent timber bamboo for house construction, crafts and basketry. 

Also a principal commercial variety for shoot production in Asia.  

Indonesian Clone

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Dendrocalamus Asper

A favourite for look and the velvety finish on poles, has huge dark green foliage, grows in a tight tidy clump over 15 metres. 

Used in Asia for construction and craft … large culms are also used as outriggers on fishing boats. New cream and pink shoots are amazing in size and colour, another great edible shoot bamboo.

Black Asper

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Dendrocalamus Asper f. Niger (Hitam)

Huge black culms that have white bands circling the nodes. Highly regarded in Java where it is know as “Pring Betung Hitam”. 

This is also a wonderful ornamental feature plant for a rural property. For timber the walls are thin but has good culm strength, durability and fairly straight. 

A fairly cold resistant species, which can withstand frost. Grows 25 metres.

Sweet Dragon Bamboo

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Dendrocalamus Brandsii

From Vietnam, Laos regions, this gigantic heavy culmed species is used in house construction, for furniture such as tables, and farm equipment plus paper pulp. 

One of the tallest bamboos growing over 30 metres. Culms have a dusty green colour covered in white hairs.  Kept maintained this is a stunning looking plant. Shoots are eaten and exported to Thailand where it is known as “Phai-Bongyai”.

String Bamboo - Pring Tali

String Bamboo - Pring Tali image Click to enlarge...

Gigantochloa Apus

Originating in Malaysia,  Apus is widely cultivated in Java – highly prized for its strength and durability.This is an extremely useful species for house building, bridges, and frames for rattan furniture - possesses excellent splitting qualities. 

Also used for Shoots – Beware: Must be well prepared and cooked with care as supposedly has narcotic quality.Apart from the utility benefits as outlined above, Apus is an extremely attractive bamboo, with large brown hairy sheaths, which naturally mulch  surrounding area. Large green leaves and arching culms give a mushroom affect, over 10 metres.

G. Atter - Pring Legi

G. Atter - Pring Legi image Click to enlarge...

Gigantochloa Atter

Gorgeous and useful, this variety is known as “Pring Legi” in Indonesia or Sweet Bamboo.

A very important construction species in Indonesia, due to strength and durability. Also for craft and weaving.

Grows fairly straight with a long internode clean green/cream ringed node,  and spectacular shoots.  Grows 15-18 metres.  Likes a well drained but moist position.

Guadua Angustifolia

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Guadua Angustifolia

Native to  North Eastern South America, said to be on of the more primitive species, valued for its culms, which are used for construction timber due to short internodes, thick heavy wood.

This bamboo is pest resistant. Grown as an enormous hedge you will have no trouble with trespasses as leaves have small spiky thorns. 18 metres at least.

Shoots are huge, amazing and covered in a brown fur coat, stunning growth – pushing up skyward this is an incredible bamboo.  

Plant in an area which has good rainfall, allowing room for outward spread, or keep clump size restricted by utilising this great timber resource which quickly renews itself before your eyes!

New Guinea Green

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Nastus Elatus

Native of New Guinea and grown for its sweet edible shoots which are the only variety which can be eaten from the ground without cooking. An attractive species when young, has its own unique leaf and branch formation and very soft foliage similar to the Himalayan varieties. 

Grown in shade the culms are green/grey, in sun turn a speckled grey/black. Grows 15 metres plus and forms a large semi-tight clump. Not suitable for heavy construction as this species has a fairly thin culm wall.