Timber Bamboo

Home \|\| About Us \|\| Contact \|\| Ordering Info \|\| Shipping \|\| Order Form
DWARF	SHRUB	TALL SHRUB	TIMBER	MOUNTAIN	BOOKS

KEY TO THE BAMBOO DESCRIPTIONS

Botanical name - Common name: English, Thai, Japanese, or Chinese, etc. A short descriptive paragraph about each species or variety. The six numbers and letter codes below the description are, from left to right:

1)The sunlight tolerance for best performance - full sun, 1/2 day sun or shade.
2)Full bamboo height in feet.
3)Full diameter in inches.
4)Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit where leaf kill may begin. Rhizomes may tolerate 10-15 degrees colder.
5)Recommended USDA Zones.
6)Running bamboo are designated with an R and clumping type spreaders with a C.

TIMBER BAMBOO

These are the classic giant bamboos that are so prized by people all over the world. Some are tropical giants and others are for temperate areas. The mature height of these bamboos range from 40 to 70 feet. The culms have a diameter between 3 and 7 inches. Give the big running species at least a 25 X 25 foot area to create a grove. If a smaller area is needed install a rhizome barrier.

The bar below lists our nursery price. Pink price means we are out. Go to SHIPPING for mail order information and cost.

BAMBOO NAME

NOTE

1 GAL

2 GAL

3 GAL

OTHER

Arundinaria alpina - see Yushania alpina

Arundinaria amabilis (syn. Pseudosasa amabilis)

FEW

$50

$70

- TONKIN CANE, TEA STICK BAMBOO
One of the most valuable for its wood quality. Known in the U.S.A. for the fine fishing rods made from
it. The culms are straight and thick walled. The nodes are smooth and not prominent.
1) sun 2) 50' 3) 2 1/2" 4) 10 F 5) 8-10 6) R (follows same order in all descriptions below...)
Bambusa membranacea - See Syn. Dendrocalamus membranaceous

Bambusa oldhamii - GIANT TIMBER BAMBOO

FEW

$32

$42

$70

The most common subtropical timber bamboo. Seen often in Southern California. Grows in a columnar
form with nodding culm tips. The wood is not very flexible. The culms have very thick walls. One of the
most drought tolerant bamboos. Used as a windbreak in New Zealand and soon, Hawaii. The new shoots
are excellent for cooking.
sun 55' 4" 15 F 9-10 C

Bambusa sinospinosa

FEW

$32

- CHINESE THORNY BAMBOO, CHE TONG ZHU
A large tropical bamboo from China. Large thorns are representative of this species. Seedling variation
may be interesting. Often seen in photographs on the banks of the Li River in Southern China.
sun 70' 5" 20 F 9-10

Bambusa textilis

$32

$42

$62

- WEAVER'S BAMBOO
A highly ornamental subtropical clumping bamboo. The tops of the culms arch dramatically in the
skyline. The fibrous wood is woven into baskets, mats and other useful items.
sun 40' 2" 13 F 8-10 C

Bambusa textilis var. gracilis

FEW

$32

$42

$62

Slightly smaller than the standard species. Graceful form with nodding tips and pretty foliage.
sun 30' 1-1 1/4" 13 F 8-10 C

Bambusa textilis 'Maculata'

FEW

$32

$42

$62

A spattering of culms have dark spots on them. One of the varieties good for smaller spaces.
sun 20' 1-1 /1/4" 13 F 8-10 C

Bambusa textilis 'Scranton'

$32

$42

$62

Another larger textilis with tighter branching along the complete culms appearing as a clump of
"fox tails".
look
sun 30' 2" 13 F 8-10 C

Bambusa textilis var. albostriata

FEW

$32

$42

$62

Some whitish pin stripes on some culms, otherwise same as the green varieties.
sun 30' 1-1 /1/4" 13 F 8-10 C

Bambusa tuldoides

FEW

$42

$62

- PUNTING POLE BAMBOO
The hard and thick walled culms make this a particularly useful subtropical timber bamboo. Grows in a
tight clump with the tops of the culms nodding down.
sun 55' 2 1/4" 15 F 9-10 C

Bambusa ventricosa

FEW

$26

$38

$56

- Syn. Bambusa tuldoides 'Ventricosa' -BUDDHA'S BELLY
If grown under the most healthful plant conditions it will become a large timber type bamboo with
zig-zag culms at the base. Grown under austere bonsai conditions the crowded culms become swollen
internode; reminding a person of buddha's belly. In Japan, one can rub a large exposed happy buddha
belly for good luck.
sun 55' 2 1/4" 15 F 9-10 C

Bambusa ventricosa 'kimmei'

$32

$42

$62

- Syn. Bambusa tuldoides 'Ventricosa Kimmei' - KIMMEI BUDDHA'S BELLY
Same as the green form above except the culms are pale yellow and striped with dark green. It has
variegated leaves.
sun 55' 2 1/4" 15 F 9-10 C

Bambusa vulgaris

$26

$38

$56

- COMMON BAMBOO
The big green timber size bamboo seen throughout the tropical world withB. v. 'Vittata' below.
Excellent houseplant. Not recommended for use as a building material.
sun 50' 4" 27 F 10 C

Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'

$26

$38

$56

- GREENSTRIPE BAMBOO
An often used large tropical bamboo with abundant green stripes on the yellow culms. The bamboo
most used for interiorscaping.
sun 50' 4" 27 F 10 C

Dendrocalamus asper

$70

$100

An beautiful timber bamboo of the largest proportions. Excellent shoot and wood quality. Fast
growing in the warmest USA zones. New seedlings!
sun 100' 8" 23 F 9-10 C

Dendrocalamus asper 'Nubian Queen'

$32

A specially selected dark culmed variety recently grown from seed.
sun 100' 8" 23 F 9-10 C

Dendrocalamus brandesii

$42

$62

A beneficial giant with shoots that are edible raw. The lower culms are covered with a tan pubescent
"fur". A good quality timber producer as well as for bamboo shoots. The big leaves make for a nice
houseplant too.
sun 100' 10" 23 F 9-10 C

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii

$42

$62

A big beautiful bamboo with nodiing culm tips. Used for food, timber, basket making, and mats.
sun 80' 7" 27 F 10 C

Dendrocalamus membranaceous

FEW

$42

- Syn. - Bambusa membranaceous
A fast growing tropical used for construction, fences and farm implements. Delicious shoots. Found
species communities in China
sun 70' 4" 25 F 10 C

Dendrocalamus strictus

FEW

$32

$42

- MALE BAMBOO
A drought tolerant timber bamboo from India. Not particularly beautiful but very useful. The culms are
thick, hard and solid at the base. A commercial bamboo of the paper industry in India.
sun 60' 5" 30 F 10 C

Gigantochloa apus

OUT

A highly recommend construction bamboo from Java. Regularly used for roof rafters. Dark grey green
culms highlighted by light colored sheath make the culms attractive.The leaves are large and pretty.
sun 65' 4" 27 F 10 C

Gigantochloa robusta

FEW

$42

$62

A beautiful Indonesian Timber bamboo utilized for strong culms. Beautiful too.
sun 60' 4" 28 F 10 C

Guadua aculeata

FEW

$32

$42

An excellent timber bamboo for building. Culms can have a nice curve at the base. Its natural range
extends from Northern Mexico to South America.
sun 70' 8" 28 F 10 C

Guadua amplexifolia

OUT

A timber size tropical from Mexico. Most Guaduas are throny. This one is less thorny. Good timber but
not as straight as G. angustifolia. Prominent white bands around the nodes.
sun 50' 4" 28 F 10 C

Guadua angustifolia

FEW

$32

Argueably the best bamboo for construction in the world. Native to many areas of
and planted on more plantations, its stature and beauty are top notch. Thorny.
sun 100' 8" 30 F 10 C

Guadua angustifolia 'Bicolor'

OUT

$80

The yellow striped form of one of the world's best bamboo species for construction. Prominent white
rings around the nodes. Thorny.
sun 100' 9" 30 F 10 C

Guadua velutina

OUT

$32

Thick culmed with nice form. The culm sheaths are persistent. Seedlings from a
few years ago.
sun 50' 4" 28 F 10 C

Oldeania alpina - see Yushania alpina

Phyllostachys bambusoides

OUT

$32

$42

$62

- JAPANESE GIANT TIMBER BAMBOO, MADAKE
A popular timber bamboo for temperate areas. Makes a handsome bamboo grove. The culms are of
excellent quality for wood working.
sun 72' 6" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys dulcis

FEW

$32

$42

$46

- SWEET SHOOT BAMBOO
As the common name implies this is one of the best tasting of the edible bamboo shoots. The wood
quality is not the best for crafting. It is probably one of the fastest growers to reach mature size.
Performs well in hot, dry summer areas.
sun 40' 2 3/4" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys glauca

$32

$42

$62

- HONG DAN ZHU
Named for the bluish powder on the new culms. A fast growing important species for timber.
sun 35' 3" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens

$32

$42

$62

- Syn. Phyllostachys edulis - MOSO BAMBOO, MOSO-CHIKU
The most useful of the temperate bamboos. Magnificent forests are found in China, where this is the #1
commercially grown bamboo for timber and edible shoots. The vast majority of the plants available in
the U.S.A. today are a result of myself and two partners germinating and distributing approximately
4000 seedlings between 1982 and 1986. These plants are still not mature to this date . I expect the best
looking of these seedlings may have reached a height of 40' a diameter of 3". Slow to reach timber size.
Now there are also 1992 and 1997 seedlings available. Collect a new seedling every 10 years!
sun 75' 7" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens 'Goldstripe'

$48

$70

- Syn. Phyllostachys edulis GOLDSTRIPE MOSO
A vigorous variegated cultivar that is available in limited supply . Golden canes embellished with green
stripes and green grooves. They are profusely accompanied by variegated leaves that hold the coloration
well through the growing season.
sun 75' 7" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys makinoi

FEW

$42

$62

- GUI ZHU
Tough, good wood quality make this a desirable species. Culms are thick walled with a bluish grey color
when older.
sun 60' 3" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys nigra 'Bory'

OUT

$42

$62

FLOWERING 2023
- BORY BAMBOO, UNMON-CHIKU
Bory bamboo is a large variety of Black bamboo that does not turn solid black, but develops a mahogany
mottling on the older culms. It has a nice appearance and good quality wood.
sun 50' 3" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon'

OUT

$26

$38

$56

FLOWERING 2023- HENON BAMBOO, HA-CHIKU
A green form of Black bamboo that grows much larger with the older culms having a greenish-blue
color. Excellent wood quality. The third most grown bamboo in Japan for timber (right behind MADAKE
and MOSO-CHIKU). Some feel this is the true form of 'Black bamboo' and the true Black is a variety
of Henon.
sun 65' 4" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys nigra megurochiku

OUT

$42

$62

FLOWERING 2023- MEGURO-CHIKU
An interesting timber sized form that has a green culm with a wide stripe of brown or purplish-black in
the sulcis (groove). A source of high quality wood for crafting.
sun 54' 3 1/2" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys nigra punctata

OUT

$42

$62

FLOWERING 2023 GIANT BLACK
The largest temperate timber bamboo that turns black. Takes 3 or more years to gradually change from
green to black. A very useful bamboo for building and craft.
sun 50' 3" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys nigra shimadake

OUT

$32

$42

$62

FLOWERING 2023- SHIMADAKE
A large variety of Black bamboo that does not turn solid black, but develops thin pinstripes of black on
the older culms. It has a nice appearance and good quality wood.
sun 50' 3" 0 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys rubromarginata

FEW

$32

$42

$62

- RED MARGIN BAMBOO
One of the best bamboos for wood quality. The culms are straight, long and with little taper. The wood
splits well. A good producer of quality and quantity in culms and edible shoots.
sun 55' 2 3/4" -5 F 6-10 R

Phyllostachys viridis 'Robert Young'

$32

$42

$62

- ROBERT YOUNG BAMBOO
Culms turn canary yellow to gold after a year. Thin green pin stripes occur here and there.Grows fast.
Tends to have fewer but bigger shoots than most.
sun 40' 3" -5 F 7-10 R

Phyllostachys vivax

ONE

$62

- WU BU JI ZHU
Almost indistinguishable from MADAKE (P. bambusoides) until reaching larger size.It has thinner
walled culms, is faster growing, not quite as straight and a little more cold hardy. Tends to "swell" a bit
at the base of the internode when big. Culms are weak and easily break under wind and snow . A fast
grower to timber size.
sun 70' 5" -5 F 6-10 R

Phyllostachys vivax aureocaulis

$38

$56

$75

Yellow culms with a few crisp greenstripes. A fast grower to timber size.
sun 70' 5" -5 F 6-10 R

Yushania alpina

FEW

$90

$110

- Syn. Oldeania alpina, Arundinaria alpina
A useful timber bamboo from Africa. It has a narrow habitat along the higher elevation zones of
Tanzania and surrounding countries. The bamboo groves are a favorite place for gorillas and elephants
to eat the bamboo shoots and rest. Used for water pipes in villages. Hard to grow in the USA but it likes
the narrow coastal zone of the west coast.
sun 55' 5" 25 F 9-10 R