DIS & DAT

Monolithic proportions, dressed in finely-pressed bamboo. Bamboo's long life makes it a Chinese symbol of longevity, while in India it is a symbol of friendship. The rarity of its blossoming has led to the flowers' being regarded as a sign of impending famine. Unlike trees, all bamboo has the potential to grow to full height and girth in a single growing season of 3 to 4 months. During this first season, the clump of young shoots grow vertically, with no branching. In the following year, the pulpy wall of each culm slowly dries and hardens. The culm begins to sprout branches and leaves from each node. During the third year, the culm further sets. The shoot is now considered a fully mature culm. Timber is harvested from cultivated and wild stands, and giant bamboo is known as timber bamboo.  Bamboo used for furniture construction must be harvested when the culms reach their greatest strength.