[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: Plybooboo

Thu Feb 8 19:19:59 CST 2007

 From the Dovetail links (note that Dovetail is a forest products 
organization, albeit one which in principle is working on sustainable 
forestry, so they may not be the last word what amounts to "the 
competition"). This was the document I first read a year ago or more 
that raised my awareness that there were issues I was ignoring here.

From: http://www.dovetailinc.org/documents/DovetailBamboo0305.pdf

In China’s Hunan province, reportedly the
source of most bamboo flooring sold in the U.S., average bamboo culm 
yields of 5-8
mt/ha/yr are reported. In comparison, documented production of wood by 
the most
commonly planted eucalyptus species ranges from 7.9 to 35 mt/ha/yr (dry 
weight).

[Presumeably we are comparing unsustainable (or at least unecological) 
bamboo with unecological wood, here]

There are a bunch of other comments critical of the bamboo industry in 
that document, mostly echoing what has come up here already.

That's the most concise summary of the only Dovetail source I saw on 
productivity. I did some quick web searching, but realized it was more 
of a project than I have time for. But here's a tidbit for the day, also 
from Dovetail:

There are several key issues that need to be considered. First, wood is 
the major industrial raw material in the U.S. today, equating to 
approximately as much volume as the next three primary industrial raw 
materials (steel, concrete, and oil) combined. Any substitution of wood 
would require an increase in the use of an alternative material by a 
significant order of magnitude.

Wow. I suppose it makes sense, but still, concrete steel AND oil? Wow.

Keith

Carl Peters wrote:
> Everyone:
>
> Regarding the Bamboo Discussion: Dovetail Partners in Minneapolis, MN has
> some interesting discussions on their webpage. If interested in this please
> Go to: www.dovetailinc.org. Hit search and it will pull up about 9 articles
> or so. 
>
>
> Carl Peters
> Osvold Company
> Mpls,Mn
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
> [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Lawrence Lile
> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 1:55 PM
> To: GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org
> Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: Plybooboo
>
>
> Nonnative bamboo is a concern, however in several instances I have
> observed, it does not spread uncontrollably in practice.  
>
> My neighbor grows bamboo in his yard, has quite a stand of it in fact,
> and it spreads by roots.  Anyone who mows their lawn in the vicinity
> keeps it totally in check, same with the road on the other side of his
> property.  I've let some spread into my yard just because I think it is
> a cool plant.  
>
> Another planting by a friend of mine transplanted some "cane" from
> Tennessee to a plot in Central Missouri.  He planted it in a small
> bottomland clearing surrounded by forest.  So far it hasn't spread into
> the woods, seems to require full sun.  
>
> A third site, also in a backyard, is also easily contained by
> surrounding mowed areas.  
>
> An area I observed planted at the Tennessee Farm near Summertown, also
> seemed to be completely contained by minimal mowing.  
>
>
> Bamboo does spread by roots, at a rate of a few feet per year, but it is
> nothing like the dreaded Kudzu, Multifora rose or other famous nonnative
> disasters.  While I try to focus more on native plants these days, I
> don't think nonnative bamboo is a huge concern, and it is a fantastic
> building material.
>
> Despite my teasing my friend about planting the new "kudzu of the
> North", none of these bamboo plantings seem to be spreading and are
> easily controlled.  Your Mileage May Vary.  
>  
>  
> Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
> [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of David
> Bergman
> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 10:58 AM
> To: YankeePerm at aol.com; GREENBUILDING at listserv.repp.org
> Subject: [BULK] Re: [Greenbuilding] Plybooboo
> Importance: Low
>
> At 09:35 AM 2/8/2007, YankeePerm at aol.com wrote:
>   
>> There is plenty of
>> bamboo growing in the USA and the plantations would expand if there 
>> were a large
>> market such as an US-based plyboo factory.
>>     
>
> Are there issues with Bamboo being a non-indigenous plant and 
> threatening existing eco systems? I'd thought that, because it is 
> essentially rapidly growing weed, it is hard to control and can 
> potentially spread beyond farms and overtake systems.
>
>
> David
> DAVID BERGMAN ARCHITECT / FIRE & WATER LIGHTING + FURNITURE
> architecture . interiors . ecodesign . lighting . furniture
> bergman at cyberg.com    www.cyberg.com
> 241 Eldridge Street #3R, New York, NY 10002
> t 212 475 3106    f 212 677 7291  
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-- 
Keith Winston
Earth Sun Energy Systems
Hyattsville, MD 20781
301-980-6325
send me mail at 
keith at the company below
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