Quantity: All stems can be harvested. Length: approx. 9–12 m, basal diameter 3.5–4.5 cm, strong, thick-walled.
Bambusa maculata, ไผ่ตุตุล (phai tutun): Its cut stems are ideal for supporting climbing plants because the stems branch upward from the base. These branches are cut off, but a short stump is left so that the climbers can cling to the branch stumps and do not need to be tied up with a cord or wire.
Stem harvesting will essentially be done by myself but requires your help and assistance, and all the cut poles are free; the procedure:
- If you are interested, please let me know (in English or Thai) and suggest an appointment first to view and select the bamboo clumps.
- Then, let's make an appointment for harvesting the stems (cutting the stems into transportable lengths, and cutting off the branches). Two people only, you (or your worker) and I can do this job.
- Using an electric reciprocating saw, I will saw off the bamboo stems close to the base.
- You and I need to secure the stem, usually by hand, so that the stem will fall in the desired direction, or we need to pull out the stem from the clump.
- Once a stem is cut and laid on the ground, your job is to chop off the branches of the stem with a pair of secateurs.
- I will saw off the branched top of the stem (about one-fourth of the entire stem).
- Branches and the top of the stems are usually useless for you, so they will be left on site.
- You may move the branches and the top of the stems to the driveway nearby where they can be left until they will later be used as material for shredding (the shredded plant material will be used to improve the soil).
- Shortening the stems to desired or transportable lengths can be done by yourself using your machete, hand saw, or electric circular saw, or by myself using my electric reciprocating saw.
- I recommend you use work gloves. The whole work may take a few hours, depending on how many poles you require.
If you require bamboo stems for another use, e.g., for scaffolding, another bamboo species is to be selected, which is available, and harvesting is free; the procedure as described above is the same.
Location: Baan Sammi, 15 km (10 mi) northeast of Chiang Mai, see Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZLoQTW4n8UJWsEYz6
Viewing, visiting: Any day, but a 1-day prior notice is required.
Contact: Private message in English or ภาษาไทย via Facebook Messenger or email.
