Bamboo grows fast and strong.
Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that manufacturers convert into building products. Builders use the hollow canes of the bamboo plant for building bridges, support poles, and scaffolding. Some producers mill bamboo into planks, panels and veneers to use for floors, walls and ceilings. There are almost 1,000 species of bamboo with varying characteristics that make each plant more or less suitable as a building product.
Moso Bamboo
Floor manufacturers use moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) frequently to make planks for bamboo flooring. The plant has the potential grow to a height of 80 feet. Typical growth for it is half of its maximum, at 40 to 50 feet. Moso is a hardy bamboo. It is the largest of the hardy bamboos. Each stalk has a diameter that measures between 4 and 7 inches.
Japanese Timber Bamboo
Japanese timber bamboo is also known by the common name of Castillon Inversa Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides). It grows to a mature height of between 10 and 30 feet. It is evergreen with foliage in colors of green, yellow-green to gold. Builders use Japanese timber bamboo for construction because the canes have relatively thick walls.
Chinese Timber Bamboo
Chinese timber bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax) grows to a height of approximately 30 feet. It is hardy to USDA zone 8. Chinese timber bamboo is used for ornamental structures. It is an evergreen that prefers moist soil to grow. The canes will grow to 4 inches in diameter.
Sweet Shoot Bamboo
Sweet shoot bamboo (Phyllostachys dulcis) grows to a mature height of 40 feet. The culms average 3 inches in diameter. Sweet shoot bamboo canes are weaker than some other plants in the genus. Although it is sometimes used for building products, more typically, woodworkers will shape this bamboo into items such as tool handles.
Guada Atlantica
Guada Atlantica (Guadua Chacoensis) grows up to 100 feet high. On average, its culms are 6 inches in diameter. Guada Atlantica's size and strength are the reason it is suitable for use in construction. It grows in South America.
Bambu Tali
Bambu tali (Gigantochloa apus) grows on average to 60 feet in height. Its canes typically grow to diameters of approximately 4 inches. It has strong and durable culms. According to Cooperative Extension Service at the University of Hawaii, builders in Java prefer and use it frequently for house construction and building bridges.
Giant Timber Bamboo
Giant timber bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) grows to a maximum height of 55 feet. Sunset magazine notes that this bamboo grows 15 to 25 feet quickly in the initial stages of growth and later may reach heights between 20 and 55 feet. The culms average 4 inches in diameter. It has wide and long leaves. The culms are dark green. The relative weakness of the cane means that it is best used only for light construction.
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