Hello, Bambudude here in Northern California! I saw bamboo mentioned and I thought I could add a little to the convo. I've been growing bamboo for 25+ years. I've been also helping people "rehab" their running bamboos when they get out of control, usually from lack of attention. It never ceases to amaze me that people just think they can plant it, leave it and in a few years they will have a grove like you see in Japan or China. Bamboo does require regular care and maintenance, but not as much as you think. Mike, you do have a very nice looking grove and photos are great! Animals of all sorts really love it in the heat of the summer. I had chickens for 10 years and they hung out all summer long in the bamboo. The chickens provided great fertilizer! I have found that the more I have thinned bamboo, the larger in diameter the culms get and they get taller too! I have a bonsai shade structure surrounded by 3 runners: Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra), Myers Bamboo (Ph myeri) and Arrow Bamboo (Pseudosasa Japonica). They Black and Myeri are thinned with 2-3 feet between culms and the Arrow bamboo is in a hedge to provide shade for the bonsai from western sun. For building with the poles, I have helped build structures over the years with bamboo and 2 years old is the youngest I'd use and that's maybe pushing it, 3-5 is better range. Once the poles are cut, they need to be cured for 2-3 months. Best is to tie them together to keep them straight and put them up on cinderblocks in a shaded, dry place. If they get get wet they may get ruined. Bamboo is pretty tough, but when it is shooting it is most vulnerable to damage from critters, so fencing is crucial or they shoots will get eaten. Thanks for letting me put in my 2 cents worth and if you have any ?s let me know, be glad to help out. Take care! Daniel
