U-Cut Bamboo Business

U-Cut Bamboo Business 34-4-7 John Branham of Chester, S.C. has a unique sideline business that works well for him. The 71-year-old sells U-pick bamboo from a 2-acre plot on his farm near Chester, S.C. Branham first planted the bamboo in 1993 to stop water erosion from further deepening a large gully on his property. He originally got his bamboo from a friend, and says the plants had no problem getting established because the 6 to 8-ft. deep gully always has excellent moisture, which is what the plant thrives on. "It's a you-cut, you-load operation. I charge $5 per pole. If you cut it, you've bought it," he explains. "I have different diameters up to 4 in. and the poles are very tall. I'm always there when people are cutting in case anyone hurts themselves, and I count the poles when they're loading them. "The bamboo grows about 50 ft. a year once the roots catch hold. I fertilize once a year. As it gets older, it gets harder and is very strong." Branham's customers use bamboo for various purposes such as curtain rods, duck blinds, fences, furniture, and even for hardwood flooring made from bamboo pulp. According to Branham, Home Depot sells this type of flooring, "and it's pretty, too." "One man that bought some from me to make a play-fort for his kids," he adds. The living plant can also be used as a windbreak or an ornamental in landscaping. Branham says that sometimes people who've come to buy the U-pick and U-load poles ask him if they can have some root stumps to grow themselves, and he freely shares those with them. Bamboo is the fastest growing land plant in the world. It grows so quickly that you can hear it. Under optimum conditions it'll grow up to 46 in. per day - that's nearly 4 ft. The plant will reach its maximum height and girth after a single season of growth, which can be close to 100 ft. tall and 8 in. wide, depending on the variety. If you're looking for more information, the "American Bamboo Society" publishes a magazine about the propagation of the plant in the U.S. You can check out their website at www.americanbamboo.org There are even cold hardy varieties that will grow as far north as Canada. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, John H. Branham, 2080 Whipperwill Hill Rd., Chester, S.C. 29706 (ph 803 385-3827).

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