What a breath of fresh air it has been to learn that there is finally some interest in utilising Bamboo to its capacity here in Tasmania. That there’s a movement towards the introduction of and perhaps acceptance to the notion that Bamboo can provide effective control of soil degradation and riverbank erosion as well as acting as a leeching agent for wastewater, is music to my ears. In fact, it’s the very same tune that first resonated in my brain when discovering the almost unbelievable depth of ‘talent’ Bamboo boasts: Human and animal food, human and animal shelter, windbreaks, screening, fibre, biomass and the list goes on.
So much so that now it’s often said that the list of what you can’t do with Bamboo, is much shorter than the one that demonstrates what you can. After seven years growing this amazing plant due in the main, to the fact I believed my carbon footprint would be dramatically reduced, I remain astounded that the commercial and environmental uptake is still remarkable, by its relative invisibility.
How is it that a plant providing so much biomass, useful fibre, timber, extra oxygen (and therefore consuming more CO2) and food in a world struggling to come to terms with many ecological crises, is largely ignored?? Not to mention that this all occurs in a completely sustainable fashion, given that a single plant is able to be harvested year in year out, without loss of life. This, to me phenomenon, is not confined to the shores of Tasmania, the entire western world has been ‘guilty’ of not adopting Bamboo as a major resource – to this day!
Sharing what has occurred here in Tasmania since my own ‘enlightenment’ is really the motivation behind this document so let’s get into that. My predecessors growing Clumping Bamboo in Tasmania have been few and it mystified me eight years ago, as to why. Googling Bamboo in Tasmania revealed no results, certainly on a commercial basis, when I began my research. In the knowledge that Clumping Bamboo would grow in this temperate climate, it became clear that things needed to change. All the aforementioned attributes were a given. What wasn’t clear were things like the achievable heights and growth rates.
Seven years later, there are still anomalies in both. Variables like soil types, microclimates, care and maintenance (water and nutrient in the main) have produced unexpected results What IS clear and very much predictable, is the growth rate and achievable heights vary greatly to those achieved in a sub-tropical/tropical environ. Perhaps at this point a clear distinction between clumping and running Bamboo is appropriate.
Apart from the most known facts about the two (Runners run and Clumpers don’t) it’s perhaps not as widely known that generally speaking – Clumping Bamboo plants are sub-tropical/tropical whereas (whilst not mutually exclusive), the most common cold climate Bamboos are runners.
Whilst my opinion is that Runners have no place in an uncontrolled environment, that argument can stay contained for another day.
On the advice of Australia’s largest wholesale Bamboo nursery owner who is now a personal friend, seven Clumpers were chosen as the plants that would satisfy an unknown Tasmanian demand for Bamboo.
• Understanding that Tassie housing demand was growing, and the inevitability of medium density dwellings would follow, meant the demand for fast growing screening would increase – TICK.
• Recognising that Bamboo (especially the larger species) is an excellent windbreak - demand for in particular Oldhamii, would follow – TICK.
• The third TICK was far more uncertain and is largely to this day.
Oldhamii Bamboo grows to more than 20mtrs in tropical climates yet is versatile enough to withstand cold climates – that was a given. Research suggested this plant (grown as windbreaks in NZ), would grow to circa 9mtrs tall here in Tassie and produce timber of between 75-80mm thick. That spelled Timber Industry to me, so Oldhamii became the second biggest import on my list. The biggest being the number one screening plant in Australia – Gracilis.
Both plants are now successfully propagated on our Dromedary farm and are growing beautifully. That is – Gracilis is performing right up to and beyond expectations and filling the role of a fast-growing screening plant in the tightest of circumstances – admirably.
Oldhamii on the other hand is frustrating the heck out of me due to inconsistencies in growth. My own plants have been inground for varying timeframes, starting in 2018. Those plants are topping out around 5mtrs high with culms circa 50mm thick. I have the same stats from plants I interred only 4yrs ago! In Legana a grower had achieved the same in 2yrs!! What hasn’t yet occurred, is a height beyond 6mtrs. The main reason Bamboo in Tasmania struggles to achieve the heights witnessed in Asia and other tropical/sub-tropical regions, is the length of our growing season.
The most vigorous of Bamboos can grow a metre in height per day in the tropics where constant temperature, humidity and rainfall all combine to thrust these giants skyward. With a growing season of 3-4mths, 30 to 40 metres in height is possible. In Tasmania, our growing season comes quite late with the bigger Bamboos in particular.
I always maintain that our Spring begins at Christmas time! When I was learning to propagate, my mentor told me not to attempt propagation until the overnight temperature reached 16deg C. That we only get a few nights per year with those conditions told me a lot. Our fluctuating temperatures throughout the shooting season (late Summer into Autumn for the big Bamboos in Tasmania) and the close proximity to the Winter cold means that the emerging shoots have nowhere near 3-4mths to achieve their potential height. Add to this that a good percentage of Tasmania lack humidity and receive rainfall a mere fraction of the totals of the tropics, eliminates any mystery. There may well be a hidden benefit in that the slower growth rate could be responsible for a denser timber. Certainly, the timber in our parent stock is quite thick walled and will therefore be useful in domestic projects at the very least.
What has been clear with Oldhamii is its hardiness with only a few exceptions, as well as the dominance of its footprint on the landscape. What is now my parent stock has created a virtual wall of biomass and despite the time it is taking – the benefits of growing the plant far outweigh the slight disappointments.
Anecdotally then, convincing stakeholders that a Bamboo timber industry is just around the corner is a tough gig. However, when the other proven benefits of:
• screen; and
• windbreak; and
• shelter belt; and
• forage; and
• biomass; and
• soil improvement; and
• polluted water remediation; and
• fencing;
• erosion control are considered; and
wouldn’t it be grand if a couple of years later than anticipated, that timber DID become a viable resource?
It occurred to me that it might be possible to acclimatise the Asian world-renowned timber bamboos after a few seasons here. Most have died outright with a few survivors that are only mini versions of their tropical parents. I’ll keep trying but for now, Oldhamii is the plant of choice when it comes to the best multi-purpose plant in Tasmania.
The way I look at the world is most definitely with a glass half full attitude. My belief in Bamboo as a must have for anyone seeking a sustainable, beneficial resource has my glass nearing the very top.
Author: Geoff Pyne Dec 28th, 2024.
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