Harvesting Bamboo For Flooring

When comparing that short period of bamboo growth to harvest with a more than 25 year period for softwood trees and over 50 years for many of the hardwood species bamboos have got to be considered as an excellent alternative to depletion of our forests.

Harvesting bamboo for flooring.

After this concoction has done its work the strips are then heated and carbonized. So continually harvesting bamboo is way better for the environment than waiting decades for hardwoods to grow then damaging the soil when cutting them down. Harvest bamboo shoots in the spring when the plants first begin to grow cutting them at ground level with a sharp knife and choosing those that are about 6 inches high. Take only a few shoots from.

Harvesting mature bamboo stems is a crucial part of appropriate bamboo plantation management as it will manipulate the sustainable growth of the farm. As we have said bamboo should be harvested when the wood is at its maximum strength usually between 3 to 5 years old. Cut the bamboo as close to the ground as you can. Firstly the stalk is split down into strips which are then boiled to get rid of any insects pests or grime.

Bamboos are typically harvested as shoots that are cone shaped. Avoid cutting shoots that are soft. Generally bamboo forests are harvested by hand ensuring that the root of the grass is not damaged which then allows it to naturally self propagate and continue to produce healthy and abundant crops for future harvests. Bamboo harvested in this manner has 3 advantages.

You can recognize the stage of a bamboo by the physical appearance. Use loppers to harvest bamboo less than 1 5 in 3 8 cm thick. It is best to harvest bamboo with the least amount of sap in it to minimise the sugars and starches that attract pests and fungal growth. For a more in depth read on how bamboo flooring is eco friendly check out our article examining the effects of hardwood cork and bamboo flooring on the environment.

Bamboo harvesting bamboo harvesting can take place every 3 to 5 years due to the high speed at which the plants grow. After harvesting bamboo goes through a number of different stages to become the smooth hard and elegant flooring you expect to see. Look for shoots that are wide based and solid to the touch. Therefore the best time to harvest bamboo is before sunrise between 12pm and 6am when most of the starch is still in the roots.

As bamboo is a fast growing self re generating grass it is much more sustainable and environmentally friendly than more traditional hardwood flooring options. Hold the loppers near the end of the handles to have the widest range of motion. Open them until the stalk fits between the blades and close them slowly so the bamboo is not damaged. They are less attractive to insects are less heavy to transport and will dry faster.