In The Best Bamboo, we’re proud to present a greart variety of Guadua. See our complete guide to find all the important features when selecting bamboo poles for your project:

Appearance: Overall sandy/beige in color. Exhibits slight waviness. Also called giant timber bamboo due to its very thick sidewalls. Rustic in appearance, but may be urethaned to a slight gloss finish better suited for more refined applications.

Available lengths: 10' (3m) up to 40' (12m) 

Grade A: Great for both interior and exterior applications.

Durability: Used for all application where durability is required, especially wet and tropical climates

Size: Diameters range from 2″ - 7″ and lengths.

Strength: Flexural Modulus of Elasticity (MOE): 17204 N/mm2 - Modulus of Rupture (MOR): 77.92 N/mm2. This bamboo variety is exceptionally robust and finds widespread application in construction across Central and South America, notably in the construction of bridges, houses, public buildings, and more. Notably, it possesses a tensile strength comparable to that of mild steel.

Strength (Class C35): Modulus of Elasticity (MOE): 17204 N/mm2 - Modulus of Rupture (MOR): 77.92 N/mm2.

Stainability: Can take a stain – prepare the bamboo by lightly sanding the surface.

Treatment Process: Individual Guadua poles are treated for insects with proprietary chemicals. The chemicals convey preservative, anti-microbial and fire-retardant properties.

Taper: Very little taper

Origin: Colombia

Age: 4 -5 years

Colombian Earthquake Resistant Construction Regulations

Guadua Technical Data Sheet

Source: Harvested from our own forests, we bypass intermediaries in our production process, guaranteeing a seamless and cost-effective supply chain for the best quality and affordable prices.

Anyone who spends a few minutes online researching bamboo poles will usually find out that, "anything can be done with bamboo!"  We love when people say this, although we have to let you all know we do need a little imagination to be able to make what we envision. Now, back again to the statement "anything can be done with bamboo",  while it is mostly true, 'anything' isn't a product - Kiln-dried poles as stand-alone items add wonderful accents to any home, bamboo can be custom cut and stained to order to compliment any decor… possibilities are endless, but we need to learn how to transform this wonderful golden grass into something else!

Bamboo poles can be split -we can also provide bamboo slats -, allowing for an even larger variety of custom home interior designs: privacy fences, bamboo fences, bamboo panels, wall panels, & bamboo ceilings are just a few examples of what can be done with The Best Bamboo slats. 

In terms of color, most people enjoy the natural beauty of bamboo. American Henon provides a subtle olive green silver, while Guadua Bamboo has a beautiful golden brown tone. Choosing the right species is a matter of taste, as is the decision to stain or flame-treat it.

When you choose to buy bamboo poles, you need to make sure that your provider has all the permits and follows all the harvesting rules. Bamboo is a very versatile plant, but it also has a temper and a timing! When harvesting happens, the cut is extremely important: the outer wall of young bamboo is very thin, as it gets older, it grows thicker on the inside. By the time the best bamboo poles reach 5 years of age, they are extremely thick and excellent for landscaping and lumber. In fact, the best bamboo poles can be manufactured into flooring that is many times stronger than oak!

To be able to judge the age of bamboo, simply turn it on its side. Most timber species, if harvested properly, should have a thick outer wall at the base that slowly tapers off to the top. It is at the end of the pole where the most cracking occurs, so be sure to note whether the end of the pole has an intact node or not.

Unsold bamboo poles can be utilized in various beneficial ways. One option is to convert them into bamboo charcoal, which can serve multiple purposes. Firstly, by using bamboo charcoal, you can enhance the quality of soil on your farm. It can be mixed with compost and spread across your groves, providing essential nutrients and improving the overall fertility of the land. Additionally, you have the opportunity to explore the market potential of bamboo charcoal by developing a high-quality product that can be sold to interested buyers. By doing so, you can not only make the most of unsold bamboo poles but also generate additional income for yourself.

According to available information, it appears that there is currently no US industry that actively purchases and processes bamboo poles. Despite the potential profitability of bamboo farming, many individuals who venture into this field presume that their main source of income would come from selling bamboo poles. However, the reality is that there is a scarcity of industrial-scale buyers, such as lumber mills, for bamboo poles within the United States. This lack of a well-established industry can be traced back to the introduction of bamboo by the USDA in the early 1900s. Consequently, without a prevalent industrial demand for bamboo poles, the integration of bamboo as a significant aspect of American agriculture has not materialized.

There are several beneficial uses for thinned canes. Firstly, the chips from these canes can be utilized as mulch or bedding. They can either be sold in large quantities by the tractor scoop, or bagged and sold as bedding material. Additionally, the leafy tops of bamboo can be dried and pelletized to serve as animal feed. For instance, Guernsey calves can consume fresh bamboo leaves from poles that are cut for them twice a day. These animals have sharp lower incisors that accurately slice off each leaf, leaving the twigs and branches bare. Furthermore, there is a potential to develop cattle feed using bamboo leaves and twigs, with the addition of Asparagopsis taxiformis, a red seaweed. Incorporating this red seaweed into the feed has been shown to reduce methane belching in cattle by 90%. Any unsellable poles can be transformed into bamboo charcoal, which can be used to enhance the soil on the farm. Mixing bamboo charcoal with compost and spreading it on groves can enrich the soil, or alternatively, it can be developed into a sellable product.

A bamboo grove reaches maturity when it begins producing full-size culms. Typically, this occurs around Year Ten. However, it is important to note that the grove does not immediately yield moderate-sized poles. It usually takes around three to five years for the canes to fully mature within the grove. During this time, the canes undergo lignification, a process in which they gradually transform into wood. The larger and sturdier the culms, the longer the lignification process tends to take. Therefore, it is around Year Ten that one can expect to harvest moderate-sized poles from canes that emerged from the ground during the sixth and seventh years of the grove. Furthermore, by Year Thirteen, the grove will have produced large poles that originated from canes that emerged from the ground in Year Ten, making them ready for harvest.

Growing bamboo presents several challenges compared to growing trees. While trees for lumber are relatively easy to cultivate, bamboo requires a more intensive level of care and attention. Unlike trees that can be planted as seedlings and require minimal care, bamboo necessitates consistent yearly thinning, proper irrigation, and effective weed control. Unlike trees, which can be categorized as forestry crops, bamboo falls under the agricultural crop category. Therefore, bamboo demands regular and ongoing care throughout the year to ensure its successful growth and development.

There are several potential buyers for bamboo poles, although the market is not as developed as that of traditional lumber. One group of buyers includes niche businesses, such as bamboo nurseries or companies specializing in grove and hedge maintenance. These businesses often sell poles that are harvested during routine maintenance activities. They may price the poles based on attributes like length and diameter.

Another potential buyer is the movie industry, which sometimes requires the use of bamboo poles for sets and props. These buyers typically source their bamboo poles from selected groves in specific areas. They usually order poles on a per-project basis and do not maintain large stockpiles.

Additionally, there are businesses that focus on repurposing unwanted bamboo. They may remove bamboo from certain areas, bring the poles to their workshops, and convert them into charcoal. This charcoal is then sold, often to state campgrounds, who appreciate the unique burning properties of bamboo charcoal.

However, it is important to note that unlike the well-established market for lumber made from trees, there is currently no large-scale industrial demand in the United States for bamboo poles. While efforts are being made to change this and create an industry that utilizes bamboo poles, historically, bamboo has not become a significant part of American agriculture due to the lack of industrial applications.

Airdrying a Guadua Bamboo Pole in Colombia to achieve a moisture level of less than 20% will be challenging due to the prevalent high relative humidity in the region where Guadua grows. The environmental conditions, characterized by elevated levels of atmospheric moisture, create an environment where bamboo poles have a natural tendency to retain more water content.

In areas with high humidity, the surrounding air already contains a considerable amount of moisture. When Guadua Bamboo poles are exposed to such humid conditions during the drying process, the rate at which they release moisture is slowed down. The moisture content within the bamboo interacts with the humid air, causing a slower evaporation rate. As a result, achieving a moisture level of less than 20% through airdrying becomes more difficult.

High humidity not only slows down the drying process but also increases the risk of the bamboo poles absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. This can lead to a situation where the poles might stabilize at a moisture level higher than the desired 20%, making it challenging to meet the specified moisture content standards for certain applications.

In the natural aging process, Bamboo Poles may develop cracks over time. Rest assured, we uphold stringent quality standards when selecting the finest Grade Bamboo Poles for your order, ensuring unmatched quality. While we exercise utmost care in handling and shipping, we cannot guarantee absolute freedom from cracks post-purchase. Opting for split poles, bamboo slats, or those with thicker walls is advisable, as they exhibit increased resilience against cracking. It's important to recognize that cracking is a normal occurrence following the natural aging process after bamboo harvesting. Your satisfaction remains our priority, and our commitment is unwavering in delivering Grade Bamboo that meets the highest quality standards, alleviating any concerns about structural reliability.