sorry, wasn't trying to be a bamboo nerd, i just read most of that stuff today and had to spill it somewhere <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Be forewarned that some of the "gardening" websites will pass along incomplete information. There are two types of bamboo, running and clumping. Running bamboo will grow and spread aggressively if not properly contained, possibly into neighboring yards which really ticks off the neighbors. Probably won't kill off native species, but will compete for resources. Clumping versions will spread a limited amount and not "take over your yard". Dendrocalamus Strictus is a clumper, can produce poles up to 60' tall with a 5" diameter base, and would be good for walking staffs.

For survival use in earthquake-prone areas, plant large groves of clumpers. The root systems are so large, thick and stable that in Japan, people run into the middle of them during earthquakes for a stable, protected place to ride out the shaking. Or so the popular legend goes...

Yes, you need to be careful with bamboo spreading. I've seen bamboo get under a concrete patio and crack the slab when it started growing from underneath. Now that's power! I've also seen a house with a bamboo shaft poking a hole through the roof. Again, it was bamboo that started growing someplace unexpected (and unseen). It can be very tough to remove bamboo completely from an area once it gets going. You may never find all the roots that it sends out (depending on the variety).

As far as the earthquake idea, that may have some merit, but only long ago. I've lived in Japan before and probably 95% of people live in big cities, and another 4.99% don't live near enough to a bamboo forest close enough to dash into when the ground starts shaking. I've been in a bamboo forest before. Beautiful, although kind of eery, and actually a bit claustrophobic because the shafts tend to grow quite close together.

In Hong Kong, they still routinely use bamboo as scaffolding for new building construction. It's wild to see these skyscrapers under contrusction surrounded by bamboo scaffolding many, many stories high. Sometimes I wonder if the scaffolding is stronger than the building! I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

"I wonder if the scaffolding is stronger than the building! I wouldn't be surprised if they were. "

Several years ago, there was an earthquake somewhere in Japan. There were before and after photos. The "before" photo showed a multi-story building under construction with bamboo scaffolding. The "after" photo showed the scaffolding still standing, & the building was a pile of rubble.

You can surround a planned grove of running bamboo with a two-foot-deep barrier of continuous pond liner type of plastic. It is best to angle it UP toward the outside of the grove. When the roots run, they hit the membrane and veer upward, where you can lop them off.

Sue