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Building garden structures with bamboo?

17 years ago

Hi all,

I have a lot of bamboo on hand right now because I cut a lot of culms a few weeks ago before shooting started. I'd like to try building some garden structures like shade pergolas and trellises and I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good website or book that covers bamboo construction techniques especially how to join pieces together.

Thanks,

Steve

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Comments (2)

kudzu9
17 years ago
Steve-
Surprisingly, it is very difficult finding books that give details on bamboo joinery. I'm a bamboo nut and the only book I've ever found that gives detail on making strong joints is over 100 years old. It's called Bamboo Work, by Paul Hasluck, and the techniques illustrated in the book are still valid. It was reissued a number of years ago in paperback. I think it's out of print, but I do know one place you can get it, and that is from bamboogardener dot com, which I'm spelling out so that the robot message screener doesn't have a fit. This web site has a number of other books on building fences, etc., which involve other types of bamboo constuction; one in particular I can recommend is "Building Bamboo Fences" by Yoshikawa. However, the Hasluck book is the only one I know that shows how to make fitted, furniture-type joints.
hemnancy
16 years ago
I googled this site which has some details. I'm also about to make a trellis out of bamboo for roses. I called a local Japanese nursery and they recommended hemp twine for tying. I've heard hemp paper can last 2000 years so I would think the twine might be long-lasting. The site says if you use it wet it shrinks up when dry and tightens the knots, which is what I was looking for.

Here is a link that might be useful: how to make bamboo trellis
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