Friendly name: Bambu Japanese Timber Bamboo

Phyllostachys bambusoides
"Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo"
"Madake"

Maximum Height: 72'
Maximum Diameter: 6"
Minimum Temperature: -3° F
Does best in full sun.
Spreading: Aggressive
ID: Grif 13944 01 PL

Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo


Phyllostachys bambusoides "Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo" is the most utilized bamboo in Japan where it is valued for its large good quality straight thick-walled culms that are very good for splitting. Prior to extensive flowering in the 1970's it was widely distributed on the East and West Coast. Many groves died and did not recover; those that did have regained their vegetative vigor and have developed mature groves. The shoots have a bitter taste that can be reduced by par-boiling with fresh water 2 or 3 times. First introduced in the U.S. in 1889 with many subsequent introductions. Our grove came from a recovered grove that flowered in the 70's. Most of the divisions from the recovered groves have not attained the rated height and diameter listed. The largest culms I have seen from any recovered grove is 55 feet and 4 in in diameter. Groves from divisions that didn't fower still attain the rated sizes.


Performance
Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo (Zone 7)
Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo
Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo...
First year
Bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo First year growth photo

Second year
Bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo Second year growth photo

Third year
Bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo Third year growth photo

Fourth year
Bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo Fourth year growth photo

Fifth year
Bamboo - Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo Fifth year growth photo
Pronunciation
Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo

Botanical Latin is essentially a written language .... How they are pronounced really matters little provided they sound pleasant and are understood by all concerned...
W.T. Stearn an authority on Botanical Latin

Name Botanical Alternate Meaning
Phyllostachys fil-lo-STAK-iss fy-lo-STAK-iss   Greek for leaf spike 
bambusoides bam-BOO-soy-deez   Compounded from Bambusa, a name for bamboo that was the result of an erroneous pronunciation of the Indian word Mambu and -odies, which indicates resemblance. 

Uses
Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo
Edible shoots Excellent Hedge Too tall
House Too large Wood quality Excellent
Container Good Crafts Good
Screen High branching Ornamental Excellent
Click the use link above for more info.

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