Q. Are you destroying the food source or habitat for Giant Pandas?

Q. When a color is listed as "Natural," what does that mean?

Q. How do you measure the width of bamboo poles?

Q. Can I use bamboo outside?

Q. How should I install my bamboo fence?

Q. I'm placing several poles next to each other. Any tips?

Q. How should I cut bamboo and rattan?

Q. Can I just nail bamboo to the wall?

Q. Can I put some sort of protectant on bamboo to help it keep its color?

Q. Why are prices subject to change without notice?

Q. What might cause a product to suddenly become unavailable?

Q. Can I bend bamboo?

Q. Can I bend rattan?

Q. How can I keep bamboo from cracking?

Q. What if my bamboo cracks? Can I get a refund?

Q. Are you destroying the food source or habitat for Giant Pandas?

A. Not at all. The species of bamboo used as food primarily by the Giant Panda (but also in Asian cuisine) is Gelidocalamus fangianus found mixed within pine forests. We do not import this type of bamboo. Our stock comes from environmentally conscious suppliers who do not clear cut their land. Bamboo is harvested from bamboo forests which develop mainly on mountains. Very small areas are selectively harvested leaving much of the bamboo to continue propagating itself and providing habitat to native species. Since bamboo only takes a year to fully mature, but a typical harvesting rotation around a mountain takes five to six years, the forest is able to grow, thrive, and be harvested without disturbing the ecological balance or aesthetics' of the forest.

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Q. When a color is listed as "Natural," what does that mean?

A. Natural unprocessed bamboo ranges in color between yellow, green and brown. This variation in color lends to its uniqueness and character.

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Q. How do you measure the width of bamboo poles?

A. Diameter measurement is taken at the heavy end of the pole, between the first and second node. As these are natural products, variation will occur, diameters will be "+" or "-" depending upon the size. All bamboo tapers somewhat. Since each shipment is different, we do not measure tops or wall thickness.

This is an approximate size guide for reference.

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Q. Can I use bamboo outside?

A. Yes; however, take note that as bamboo weathers, it significantly changes color from yellow / green to silvery grey. If you wish, you can store bamboo and reed indoors during the winter months to help slow this process.

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Q. How should I install my bamboo fence?

A. Always use treated wood or steel fence posts and mount the bamboo to it. Bamboo will rot within 3-4 years if placed in the ground. They make a great stake, but not a fence post.

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Q. I'm placing several poles next to each other. Any tips?

A. Remember that there is a natural taper to the poles. If you are placing several next to each other, flip them top and bottom. You can tell this by looking at the nodes.

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Q. How should I cut bamboo and rattan?

A. Never push bamboo through a saw or it will shred. To get a clean cut, use a fine toothed blade and roll the bamboo through the saw scoring the outer skin first. No special tools are required. Table saws, hack saws, or band saws will work just fine.

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Q. Can I just nail bamboo to the wall?

A. No. Even split or flat bamboo will crack without a predrilled pilot hole.

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Q. Can I put some sort of protectant on bamboo to help it keep its color?

A. If it's going to be used indoors, bamboo keeps it's color without the need of a stain or sealer. Outdoors, at first there is very little you can do to preserve it. It must weather approx. 6 months to a year at which point it will begin to gray. The outside skin will then be able to absorb a water sealer or stain. Oil based stains work the best. Clean thoroughly before treating with a fence or deck sealer.

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Q. Why are prices subject to change without notice?

A. Many factors effect pricing such as the value of the US Dollar overseas and ocean freight rates. As each shipment arrives, pricing might change.

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Q. What might cause a product to suddenly become unavailable?

A. Domestic unrest and regional stability are a major impact when dealing with international shipping. We do our best to react to these circumstances by having multiple suppliers for the same product; but rarely, we will be forced to discontinue a product at least temporarily.

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Q. Can I bend bamboo?

A. Yes, but only when the bamboo is "green;" otherwise, it will splinter. Contact us if you are looking for bamboo to bend. Our stock material will be too mature for bending. We do carry some U-shaped bamboo in stock.

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Q. Can I bend rattan?

A. Absolutely, and at any time. Rattan does not need to be "green" like bamboo. We suggest that you set up a jig for you're desired shape using plywood and pieces of two by fours. Place one end of the rattan into the jig and slowly heat and bend into the jig using a propane torch so other high heat source (no...a hair dryer will not work, but a paint stripping torch might). Be careful not to burn the rattan while heating, but a slight scorching of the skin is normal and usually can be sanded out.

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Q. How can I keep bamboo from cracking?

A. Cracking can not be eliminated entirely. It is an inherent property of the bamboo. There are things one can do to greatly decrease the chances of splitting:

1. After receiving your shipment, slowly acclimate the package to the climate. Rapid temperature changes will increase the chances of splitting. Note: UPS trucks can reach temperatures of 140 degrees in the summer to below freezing in the winter.

2. Use split bamboo whenever possible. Cutting a vertical slice in the pole or splitting bamboo relieves stress on the skin which will reduce chance for splitting.

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Q. What if my bamboo cracks? Can I get a refund?

A. We cannot guarantee against splitting or cracking and therefore do not offer any refunds for split or cracked bamboo.

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