Benefits of Using Bamboo over Trees

Growth Rate & Harvest

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing trees. During the first year bamboo trees grow up to 80 feet. Harvesting bamboo can begin during the fourth year and then continue annually, removing 20% of the tree without affecting the environment or the continued growth of the bamboo. This results in bamboo trees being much more efficient than other trees which take up to a decade to harvest.

Carbon Sequestration

Along with a fast growing rate, Bamboo also have a high rate of carbon sequestration. Moso Bamboo takes in up to 56 tonnes of carbon per hectare annually. This is almost 5 times as much as Eucalyptus which will sequester around 10 tonnes of CO²/ha per year, though when chopped down it will only retain about 30% of that carbon. Bamboo on the other hand will store up to 90% of the carbon it has sequester and may be retained for decades depending on the life span of the product it is used for. Bamboo will also generate up to 35% more oxygen than trees during the process of photosynthesis.

Fertilizers & Pesticides

Unlike other trees that can be devastated by insects and weeds.

Deforestation


Bamboo does not require pesticides or fertilizer – some of which used on non-bamboo trees, like Alpha-Cypermethrin, is known to be toxic to fish. Because Bamboo when grown correctly does not harm the environment, it is much preferable to many other tree options.

More on bamboo…

Bamboo is not a get-rich-quick concept. It takes over half a decade to develop tangible grove enough to enter the market. The logic of growing bamboo plantation-style stands up well against the other commonly subsidized long-term crop in the Southern US, such as pine trees. With all its advantages, bamboo is at a disadvantage in terms of the lack of subsidies and lobbyists which prop up “conventional” crops such as cotton and pine trees. Tests at Auburn University comparing bamboo production to pine production began in the 1930s and continued through the 1960s. Although the research was unfortunately discontinued for reasons not entirely clear, results show that bamboo greatly out-produces loblolly pine in terms of dry wood tonnage per acre.

terra bamboo


A summary of this study can be found at Auburn University – Bamboo. Compared to pine, bamboo can be harvested annually after a decade. This is ten to fifteen years sooner than pine. As well, unlike pine, bamboo does not require replanting after thirty years. One of the primary benefits of the efficiency of bamboo over pine is that bamboo can be harvested annually as opposed to pine which can only be harvested every five years.

Welcome

Terra Bamboo is the bamboo plantation, management, and distribution provider of choice across the southeastern United States. We are committed to innovation, the environment, and technology driven standards.

Our goal is to deliver ever higher levels of value to our customers. We provide a large array of product choices matching every customer need, including consultations on large-scale bamboo plantations. A bamboo plantation requires minimal capital investment and builds upon the skills of local farmers and foresters. Bamboo trees are highly efficient and all parts of the tree can be used, including the shoots, the leaves, and the branches. In addition, the plantation itself provides for the bamboo processing. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is evident throughout our business. Terra Bamboo leads the industry in innovation and product solutions.

Terra Bamboo is situated on hundreds of acres of gorgeous countryside dedicated land for bamboo growing. We specialize in cold hardy, drought tolerant, timber (greater than 3 inches in diameter) bamboo that once planted never has to be re-planted and can be harvested annually through sustainable crop management.

While easy to plant and grow, bamboo needs to be handled differently than plants most USA gardeners are familiar with. Contact us with any questions you have regarding bamboo. 

Terra Bamboo Highlights:

shoots
  • Edible Shoots
  • Poles of all sizes
  • Plywood (3-ply, 5-ply, 7-ply)
  • Countertops (custom made)
  • Home Decor
  • Interior (veneers, staircase trim, staircase railings, custom mouldings up to 45′ in length)
  • Exterior (WPC – wood plastic composite decking made with bamboo fibers that enhance the strength and extend the life of your project)