Comparative Analysis of Culm Form and Timber Characteristics in Three Dendrocalamus Species

Abstract:

The culm form and timber properties of three Dendrocalamus species, such as D. mino var. amoenus, D. asper and D. brandisii, were studied. The results showed that there were significant difference in height under branch and very significant difference on relative total height among three bamboo species. The diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, height under branch, taper and wall thickness ratio of D. brandisii were the biggest, while the relative height under branch was the smallest. With the increment of bamboo age, water content of bamboo culm decreased significantly with order as D. minor var. amoenus > D. brandisii >D. asper. The difference in relative volume of D. brandisii, D. minor var. amoenus, D. asper was very significant with 1771.35 cm³ cm^-1, 1166.66 cm³ cm^-1, and 659.78 cm³ cm^-1, respectively. With the increment of bamboo age, timber density increased significantly, D. minor was the highest, and D. asper was the lowest. Timber density of 3-year-old D. minor var. amoenus, D. brandisii and D. asper was 0.914 g cm^-3, 0.812 g cm^-3, and 0.749 g cm^-3, respectively. It suggested that D. minor var. amoenus could accomplish as ornament and shoot use bamboo, otherwise D. brandisii and D. asper as bamboo shoot and timber.