As the hardwood forests have steadily been depleted, lovers of maple, cheery, birch and oak for use in building and carpentry projects have been looking for an alternative to use for floors, cabinets, furniture and accessories.  Their search has led them to a material that is being heralded as the ‘green’ hardwood.  – A material which is in fact not a wood at all.

Bamboo, a grass, evolved from prehistoric grasses which were growing approximately 40 million years ago.  It has been used for centuries in the Far East for everything from houses and floors to decorative chests, chairs and cabinets to chop sticks and clothing.  Looking at a grove of bamboo swaying in a gentle breeze, no one would ever guess it to be as strong as steel.  In Asia, many bridges have been made from this versatile grass.

Why is took so long to catch on in the Western world is anyone’s guess.  Bamboo can be grown anywhere (except in the extreme cold) and is one of the most sustainable of natural resources.  When a hardwood tree is harvested for its wood and a new tree is planted, it will take 40 to 60 years for that tree to come of age.  Whereas, when a mature bamboo stalk (the size of a tree) is harvested, it only takes from one to six years for another bamboo plant to grow to maturity, depending upon the species.

Bamboo is also environmentally friendly.  A grove of bamboo  absorbs  more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and releases more oxygen into the atmosphere than the same number of hardwood trees.  There is also no need for pesticides and fertilizers for this plant to thrive – which it does in a variety of conditions, from monsoon to drought.

In addition to bamboo being used by the building trades, it’s fibers are also used in the textile industry.  The bamboo fibers, which are said to be softer than cotton, have been transformed into clothing, bed linens, draperies, decorative shopping bags and a number of other products that are becoming e-trendy.

As the inhabitants of this planet become more conscious of the perils of their environment, more are being drawn to use more sustainable resources. The use of the diversified products made from bamboo is a good beginning.