General information on bamboo culm harvesting and how to obtain these culms free of charge

Bamboo clumps of about 80 species grow on the grounds of Baan Sammi, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province.

Most species are useful bamboos with diameters of 3 to 10 cm, thick-walled or even solid on the lower culm, and lengths of 10 m and more.

To harvest the culms of these clumps, we need the help of one person: you, or another person accompanying you who will carry out the assisting work. We saw off all the culms at their bases OURSELVES, but all other work must be done by the person helping, e.g., cutting off the branches from the culms, and uploading the culms onto the person's pickup truck. This person can receive all harvested culms for free if they want them.

We cut the culms ourselves at their bases using a reciprocating saw (left).
To pull a culm out of the bamboo clump, one person (male or female) is needed (center).
You or your team must load all the desired culms (and also branches, if wanted) onto your vehicle (right).

Liang Bamboo, ไผ่เลี้ยง (phai liang), ×Thyrsocalamus liang — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0001-1_079a+0001-4_022a.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

There are several clumps of this species with estimated more than thousand culms: BS-0001-1, -2, -3, -4 [S1, W1, W2], BS-0898 [C1].

About 20 long stems can be harvested in Nov./Dec. 2024, more later in 2025.

Culm lengths are 9–12 m, basal diameter 2.5–5 cm, heavy, robust, strong, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

The species, ×Thyrsocalamus liang, Phai Liang (ไผ่เลี้ยง), is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. Its stems can be used for numerous purposes, such as light construction as pillars and beams for huts, fence posts, fence rails and pickets, ladders, furniture-making, and support of climbers like beans, tomatoes, and passion fruit.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Candy Liang Bamboo, ไผ่เลี้ยงแค่นดิ (phai liang khaendi), ×Thyrsocalamus liang 'Candy' — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0606_43+606-1_024c_900x1483.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0606-1 [E1]: About 30 long stems can be harvested.

Culm lengths are 9–12 m, basal diameter 2.5–4.5 cm, heavy, robust, strong, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

The species, ×Thyrsocalamus liang, is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. The cultivated variety from Thailand, 'Candy', can be used for several purposes. Apart from the plant's ornamental value as a solitary garden plant, its stems can mainly be used for interior design and furniture-making.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

A Schizostachyum bamboo, ไผ่เฮียะฝุงฮอม (phai hia fung hom) — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0622-1_081+058b.jpg

About 50 or a little more culms can be harvested. Culm lengths 6–10 m, basal diameter 2.5–5 cm, thin-walled, easy-splitting, with long internodes, without branches on the lower third of the stems.

Their stems are best used for making bamboo strips as a flat material for paneling on furniture (such as tables and shelves), for flat pickets for fences, and for any weaving purposes.

There are several similar species offered:
1. Schizostachyum funghomii, ไผ่เฮียะฝุงฮอม (phai hia fung hom), native to China, with blackish-green stems, BS-0622-1 [S5], and BS-0631-1 [C8];

2. Schizostachyum cf. hainanense, native to China, with dark green stems, BS-0106 [S6], and BS-0494 [C6];
3. Schizostachyum sp., native to Thailand, with dark green stems, BS-0322 [W4].

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

White Cloud Bamboo, ไผ่เมฆขาว (phai mek khao), Bambusa × Dendrocalamus (artificial intergeneric hybrid) — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0725_091+090a.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0725 [E1]: about 10 long stems can be harvested, diameter 4–7 cm.

BS-0726 [C3]: about 10 long stems can be harvested, diameter 3.5–6 cm.
BS-0079 [N4]: about 5 long stems can be harvested, diameter 4–7 cm.

The species: Bambusa sp. × Dendrocalamus sp., intergeneric hybrid, Phai Mek Khao (ไผ่เมฆขาว), White Cloud Bamboo, BS-0725 and BS-0726, introduced from China, grows well in the Chiang Mai area. Culm length to 16 m, basal diameter to 7 cm, heavy, robust, strong, straight, thick-walled, without branches on the lower two-thirds of the stems.
The stems of this hybrid can be used for moderate-heavy to heavy construction purposes, such as pillars and beams for huts and small houses.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Angel Mist Bamboo, ไผ่ขวัญดี (phai khwan di), Dendrocalamus minor var. amoenus — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0254_041a+040.jpg

Culm lengths: approx. 10–15 m, basal diameter 3.5–6.5 cm, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

BS-0254 [C8]: About 10 culms or a few more can be harvested.

Dendrocalamus minor var. amoenus, ไผ่ขวัญดี (phai khwan di), Angel Mist Bamboo, Ghost Bamboo: This ornamental bamboo was introduced into Thailand. Its stems can be used for interior decoration or in open spaces under roofed protection, e.g., for walls, room dividers, and furniture.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Oliver Bamboo, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Thyrsostachys oliveri [N4, W4] — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0002-7_W4_027+026.jpg

Culm length 9–12 m, diameter 3.5–4.5 cm, straight, heavy, robust, strong, long-lasting, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

BS-0002-6 [N4]: Up to 50 culms or a little more can be harvested.
BS-0002-7 [W4]: Up to 50 culms or a little more can be harvested.

Thyrsostachys oliveri, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Oliver Bamboo, is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. Its stems can be used for numerous purposes, such as light construction as pillars and beams for huts, fence rails and pickets, furniture-making, and support of climbers like beans, tomatoes, and passion fruit.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Oliver Bamboo, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Thyrsostachys oliveri [S6] — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0002-2_S6_022+019.jpg

Culm lengths 12–15 m, diameter 4–6.5 cm, straight, heavy, robust, strong, long-lasting, thick-walled, basally solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

BS-0002-2 [S6]: Up to 50 culms or a little more can be harvested.

Thyrsostachys oliveri, ไผ่รวกใหญ่ (phai ruak yai), Oliver Bamboo, is indigenous to Thailand but can also be found in neighboring countries. Its stems can be used for numerous purposes, such as light construction as pillars and beams for huts, fence rails and pickets, furniture-making, and support of climbers like beans, tomatoes, and passion fruit.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post. 

Giant Bamboo, ไผ่เป๊าะ (phai po), Dendrocalamus cf. giganteus — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0028_073a_800x1200.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0028 [C5]: About 5 tall and thick culms are available for harvest.

Culm lengths 15 m and longer, diameter 5–9 cm, strong, thick-walled, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Heavy construction, posts and beams.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Gigantochloa marga, ไผ่หนังเสือ (phai nang suea) — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0077_063_1535x1660.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0077 [N4]: Culms are available for harvest in small to medium quantities almost throughout the year.

Culm lengths 10 m and longer, diameter 4.5–6 cm, culm surface with dark spots and patches, strong, thick-walled, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Medium or light construction, fence posts and rails, fence boards or pickets, interior design, furniture, handicrafts.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Sang Mon Bamboo, ไผ่ซางหม่น (phai sang mon), Dendrocalamus sp. — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0228_062a_800x1200.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0228 [S6]: A few thick and long stems can be harvested in January 2025.

Culm lengths 15 m and longer, diameter 5.5–10 cm, straight, heavy, robust, very strong, thick-walled, basally almost solid, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Heavy construction, posts for houses, beams, fence posts.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Rough Giant Bamboo, ไผ่ตง (phai tong), Dendrocalamus asper — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

PHOTO: BS-0130_085_764x1200.jpg

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024 —

BS-0130 [E5]: A few thick and long stems can be harvested in January 2025.

Culm lengths 15 m and longer, diameter ca. 10 cm, basal diameter over 10 cm, heavy, robust, very strong, moderately thick-walled, without branches on the lower half of the stems.

Uses: Heavy construction, posts, roof beams.

Culm harvesting requires your assistance as described in → this post.

Various medium-sized bamboo species — help harvest these culms and get them for FREE!

Culm harvesting of medium-sized bamboo is not arduous, though it requires your assistance, as described in → this post.

Culms of medium-sized bamboo are less tall, about 10 m, but the usable section of such a culm is shorter, often between 5 and 8 m long. Diameters are mostly in the range of 2 to 4 cm. Please see below a selection of suitable species.

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PHOTO BS-0518_039_1200x1635.jpg

ไผ่ริกิดา (phai rikida), Bambusa rigida, BS-0518,
diameter 2.5–4 cm, moderately thin-walled but strong.

Uses: Fence boards or pickets, basketry.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: CULMS ARE AVAILABLE TO HARVEST FROM VARIOUS CLUMPS IN MODERATE QUANTITIES, ALTOGETHER ABOUT 50 CULMS. —

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PHOTO BS-0243_24a_800x1580.jpg

ไผ่กราซิลิส (phai krasilit), Graceful Weaver's Bamboo, Bambusa textilis var. gracilis, BS-0243,
diameter 2–3,5 cm, thin-walled.

Uses: Small fence boards or pickets, basketry, support of low climbing plants like tomatoes.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: ABOUT 20 CULMS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR HARVEST, AND MORE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2025. —

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PHOTO BS-0562_044a_782x1538.jpg

Gigantochloa sp., Krabi, BS-0562,
stems strong, diameter 2–4 cm, thick-walled, basally solid.

Uses: Light construction, fence pickets, interior design.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: CULMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HARVEST IN SMALL TO MODERATE QUANTITIES, ABOUT 20 CULMS. —

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PHOTO BS-0444_052a_800x1200.jpg

ไผ่ช่างทอ (phai chang tho), Weaver's Bamboo, Bambusa textilis, BS-0444, BS-0616,
diameter 3–5 cm, moderately thin-walled.

Uses: Fence boards or pickets, basketry.

— UPDATE 15 NOVEMBER 2024: CULMS FROM VARIOUS CLUMPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR HARVEST IN SMALL TO MODERATE QUANTITIES, ALTOGETHER ABOUT 50 CULMS. —

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Build your bamboo fence with FREE bamboo STEMS that you can harvest yourself!

 There are numerous bamboo fencing constructions and designs, most are of three main elements, each of which works best with poles of different bamboo species:

Examples: Phai Sang Mon, a Dendrocalamus species, is ideal for thick fence poles (left), Phai Ruak Dam, Thyrsostachys oliveri, is good for fence rails (center), and Schizostachyum zollingeri can be easily split for fence strips (right).

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