Did you know Bamboo has good qualities?
While bamboo can be harmful to your home and property, good bamboo also does exist only if maintained properly. Below are some positive qualities of good bamboo.
1. A renewable resource – the fastest growing plant on this planet,
Bamboo is actually a grass and not a tree. Therefore it grows rapidly and can produce fully mature bamboo plants in 3-5 years.
2. Good bamboo is a critical element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Bamboo produces 30% more oxygen than trees. Bamboo also helps control water pollution because of it’s high nitrogen contents.
3. A great wood replacement
Good Bamboo is flexible, lightweight, stronger than steel and most hardwoods. Bamboo is also more affordable than wood, as it is easy to grow, and one of the cheapest construction materials around. It can be used as a construction substitute for any sort of wood. You’ll see bamboo turned into skateboards, bicycles, and bike helmets, because it’s light weight and durabile. The many uses of bamboo make it perfect for fencing, flooring, building posts, and house walls.
4.A natural & lasting controllable barrier
Good bamboo reduces rain run-off and prevents soil erosion with its extensive root system and large canopy.
5.Versatile & fast growth cycle
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly plants due to its versatile short growing cycle (it is harvested every 3-5 years as opposed to the 20 to 50 years of its wood counterparts). Its yield per year is about 20 or more times higher than timber. Bamboo has the capability of regeneration without a need for replanting.
6. Essential material for earthquake architecture
Strong, flexible and lightweight, Bamboo is essential in earthquake architecture. When properly constructed, Bamboo houses can sway back and forth during an earthquake, without any damage to the bamboo. In Limon, Costa Rica, only the bamboo houses from the National Bamboo Project stood after their violent earthquake in 1992.
7. A renewable resource for agroforestry production
The advantage of bamboo over trees is the short time from planting to harvest. Bamboo’s versatile ability to provide useful building materials and edible products, outmatches most tree species. For its ecological adaptability and wide range of uses, bamboo is an essential component of many agroforestry systems.
8. An ancient medicine
Bamboo has been used as herbal medicine in Asia for thousands of years. Often used for its tonic and astringent properties, it is also considered an aphrodisiac. Bamboo ancient remedies are still used in many health and body care products today.
9. Culture and the arts
Bamboo is deeply rooted in the daily life of many cultures. Bamboo culture always plays a positive role in encouraging people to hold on when facing tough situations.
10. A critical element of the economy
Bamboo grows best in tropical zones, which just happen to be many developing countries around the world. Bamboo crops provide jobs that support the people’s livelihood. As popularity of bamboo grows, these countries are enjoying access to a wider market. The continued use of bamboo helps developing economies.
Some uses for bamboo include:
- Panda Food
- Privacy Screen/Fencing
- Back Scratchers
- Placemats and Dishware
- Fishing Poles
- Chopsticks
- Flooring
- Fabric
- Food Source
- Plumbing
- Bicycles