Bamboo is the largest member of the
grass family, reaching a height rivaling that of more conventional
trees. However, it is more cloesly related to your
lawn than to any other type of tree. Like other grasses, bamboo has nodes, the joints on the stem. Bamboo also is hollow, unlike any other healthy tree. Bamboo can grow very fast, according to some sources up to 6 feet in a day under ideal conditions. It quickly forms nearly inpenetrable thickets. Bamboo is generally found in tropical areas such as
southeast Asia, although it can also be found in some cooler areas.
Bamboo is quite ecologically and economically important. In the wild, it is important habitat for many animals including the endangered Giant Panda. Humans also find bamboo very useful, for building just about anything, and even to eat. Young bamboo shoots, properly prepared, are excellent. Bamboo is also extensively used in landscaping in mild-weathered areas. If you decide to plant bamboo, do so with caution. Once it gets going, it can be almost impossible to eradicate. It might be advisable to keep your bamboo in pots or enclosed planters. In fact, bamboo and its relatives such as Arundo donax can become severe pests in areas where they are not native.