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Bamboo Poles for Engineered-Bamboo Products Through Improved Clump

Management and Harvesting: Lessons for the Philippines

Article · October 2013

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Ecosystems & Development Journal 4(1): 39-49
October 2013 ISSN 2012-3612 RESEARCH NOTE
Bamboo Poles for Engineered-Bamboo Products Through
Improved Clump Management and Harvesting:
Lessons for the Philippines
Ramon A. Razala*, Rosario B. Bantayanb, Teodulfo S. Delgadoc, and Jovito A. Elecd

ABSTRACT

The Philippines is developing engineered-bamboo products (e-bamboo) from locally-available bamboo species such as kawayan
tinik (Bambusa blumeana), bolo (Gigantochloa levis), and giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper). E-bamboo products include
composite boards, reconstituted panels and laminated flattened culm products from bamboo that are intended for modular furniture,
cabinetry, as well as floors and ceilings in modern home construction. The poor quality of bamboo raw materials that go into the
mill hampers efforts to commercialize e-bamboo production in the country. The inferior quality of bamboo poles has been attributed
to the absence of proper clump management and poor harvesting, transport, handling, and post-harvest operations. This study
documented commonly-accepted and traditional practices employed in the propagation, management, and harvesting of bamboo
poles in the Philippines. Generally, farmers lack understanding of the need for proper bamboo clump management and silvicultural
treatment to stimulate growth and development of good quality culms. Harvesting, cutting, and transport are done during times of
the year traditionally considered as the best to produce poles that are less prone to decay, or when handling and transport are
deemed convenient. In practice, little attention is paid to avoiding surface defects and preserving pole quality. This paper argues
that management interventions in growing bamboo poles and application of scientific harvesting methods will contribute to
achieving culm quality and quantity needed to meet the projected high demand for e-bamboo raw materials. The study recommends
a) the conduct of capacity-building for farmers, gatherers, and bamboo growers on appropriate silvicultural treatment and
harvesting techniques, b) raising awareness on the economic benefits of clump management and conversion of unmanaged to
managed bamboo stands, c) conduct of a comprehensive bamboo resource assessment for the country, d) formulation and
implementation of regulations on management and harvesting of bamboo, and e) establishment of a standard grading system for
bamboo poles.

Keywords: bamboo pole quality, clump management, culm, engineered-bamboo products, harvesting

INTRODUCTION
flooring, panels, and non-traditional furniture. Although the
Bamboo has long been considered as “poor man’s timber” but
bamboo pole has a hollow central core, its tubular construction
this reputation is changing in recent times. Technology
results in a material that is superior in both strength and
developments have led to the use of bamboo for floors and
elasticity when compared with wood and steel (Larasati et al.
ceilings, cabinetry, and modular furniture in modern
undated).
construction and designer homes. Transforming bamboo poles
into composite, reconstituted or laminated board products,
Other than strength, bamboo poles must possess straight form
collectively known as engineered-bamboo products or simply e-
and grain, gradual taper, thick culm wall, long internodes and
bamboo, enables the use of this natural material in applications
infrequent nodes, and should be relatively defect-free.
previously restricted to solid wood.
However, bamboo poles in the Philippines are usually grown
E-bamboo products are obtained by flattening or converting
without these attributes in mind. Local e-bamboo product
bamboo poles into strips, slats, strands, fibers, that are then
manufacturing will benefit immensely if research and
reassembled, with the use of a binder under pressure, with or
development (R&D) technologies are incorporated into farmers’
without high temperature, into broader and/or longer board-
practices during bamboo pole production and harvest to improve
, lumber-, or panel-like materials that can substitute for wood in
pole quality. This paper argues that the sustainable supply of
quality bamboo for the manufacture of e-bamboo products can
a
Professor, bUniversity Extension Specialist, cEngineer, dResearch Assistant,, be achieved with proper clump management and judicious
Department of Forest Products and Paper Science, CFNR, UPLB application of harvesting techniques that put a premium on pole
*Corresponding Author: ramonrazal@yahoo.com quality.

39
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The factors to consider in harvesting bamboo for e-bamboo
products manufacturing are as follows: age and maturity of the
culm or pole, time or felling season, height of cutting, and
distribution within the clump of culms to be cut. Depending on
species and growth conditions, a certain age is reached when a
given culm can be considered mature and its removal would no
longer affect the productivity of the mother clump or the
rhizome system (Virtucio and Roxas 2003).
For best results, e-bamboo products should be made with mature
culms. Bamboo culms are tender during the first year and are
considered to be still immature (Chatuverdi 1988). The culm
becomes tougher as it matures and on its third year of growth, it
acquires full density and strength. Mohmod et al. (1993) cited
various anatomical studies on bamboo that showed thickening
and hardening of the culm wall resulted in increased strength of
the pole. Alipon (2009) found higher relative densities in 4-year
old than 3-year old culms. Malab et al. (2007) also found that 3-
to 4-year-old poles were most suitable for construction purposes,
although an earlier study by Virtucio and co-workers (1990)
found no significant variation in strength properties in culms
between ages 2 to 5 years.
The presumed low starch content along with the lower moisture
content of bamboo poles appear to make the summer months as
the more favorable time to harvest bamboo in the country.
Likewise, no new shoots emerge during this time and therefore,
shoot damage through harvesting is avoided. Weather conditions
are also favorable for cutting and transporting the poles.
Conversely, the starch content of bamboo poles was initially
considered to be higher during the rainy season. New shoots also
emerge during this period. Thus, culm cutting during the
growing or rainy season is avoided since the cutting could
actually damage the young shoots and will also retard the growth
and development of the residual culms (PCARRD 2009; Razal
and Palijon 2009).
On the contrary, Garcia and Morrell (2008) showed that the
starch content of bamboo was highest during summer months, at
which time powder-post beetle occurrence was also highest.
Starch content and powder-post beetle occurrence were lowest in
July to October, which is the country’s rainy season and up to
January to December. With the low starch content, bamboo
poles harvested during this time were correspondingly less prone
to powder-post beetle attack.
However, due to the very high moisture content and the
emergence of new shoots at this time, harvesting is discouraged.
Careful cutting along with post-harvest treatment to prevent
fungal attack are prescribed if demand for bamboo pole would
necessitate culm harvesting.
Rural Javanese in Indonesia cut their bamboos such as
Gigantochloa apus and G. atter during the so-called mangsa tua
40 Ecosystems & Development Journal
or reaping season under the Javanese seasonal calendar, which
falls on April 20 to May 11 each year (Sulthoni 1985). It is
considered as the most appropriate time to obtain quality
bamboos poles for use in construction. Sulthoni (1995) further
correlated the time of felling to the fluctuation of the natural
relative population of the borers, Dinoderus minutus and D.
brevis, which were found to be the lowest at this time.
In temperate countries, starch content in bamboo varies with the
season and is higher in spring than in winter. Winter is
considered to be the best for felling bamboo (Kumar 2008). In
colder months, beetle population is low (non-swarming period of
insects), and the sap is also down, which reduces chances of
beetle infestation. Winter temperatures do not promote growth
of most fungi, thus reducing chances of fungal infection as well
(Kumar 2008; Pandey and Shyamasundar 2008).
An old Indian myth that wood and bamboo harvested during
new moon phase would be immune to fungal and insect attack
was debunked by Kumar (2008) who established that moon
phase has no effect on the durability of bamboo or its resistance
to insect attack. Yamamoto et al. (2005) confirmed this in a
separate report, and lamented the prevailing myth in several
countries. The results of their study indicated that felling time
based on the lunar calendar had no bearing on the durability of
bamboo poles.
The cutting of harvestable culms/poles should be done as close
as possible to the ground, preferably right after the first node for
maximum pole utilization and growing space management. The
cut should be just above the lowest node in order not to leave
open receptacles that collect rainwater. Cutting the culm too
high wastes some usable portions of the pole and leads to clump
congestion and difficulty in harvesting (Robillos 1984).
Accumulation of uncut portion (stumps) in a clump causes
overcrowding and occupies space better left for emerging
shoots. The culms to be harvested should be distributed
uniformly around the clump periphery to allow even spacing for
the residual culms and for newly emerging shoots.
Locally, there are two known methods or systems of harvesting
bamboo: 1) selective cutting and 2) clear-cut or the blanket
method (OIDCI 1997; Rivera undated). The selective cutting
system is the more common and traditional practice of cutting
commercial bamboo species where only selected culms or poles
of specific age are harvested. The culms selection system (CSS)
has been practiced in other countries such as India, Bangladesh,
and Burma with the primary aim of managing bamboo forests
(Sharma 1980). In the so-called clear-cut or blanket method, all
the poles/culms regardless of age are totally cut, leaving only the
very young culms and shoots. This system is known to be
applied for harvesting banana plantation-bound laak species
(Bambusa sp.) in Davao (Rivera undated).
Dransfield and Widjala (1995 as cited by Kusters et al. 2001)
stressed the importance of proper maintenance of bamboo
forests to encourage formation of healthy and vigorous clumps.
They also recommended cutting over-mature and other non-
marketable culms (thinning) to preserve maximum vigor and
productivity of the rhizomes and culms.
Similarly, Virtucio and co-workers (1992) emphasized the
importance of thinning to prevent congestion of clump-forming
bamboos. They studied the effects of three levels of thinning,
three cutting age groups, and two felling cycles on the culm
yield of natural stands of B. blumeana, and consequently
recommended the application of light thinning, cutting of culms
4 years old and above, and a felling cycle of two years to sustain
maximum yield.
The removal of spiny branches of B. blumeana in and around the
lower portion of the clumps and high stumps, and the cutting of
deformed and over mature culms during harvesting increased
culm production (Robillos 1984). Managed clumps of B.
blumeana produced an average of eight culms while unmanaged
clumps produced fewer culms per growing season (Malab et al.
2007).
A study on buho (Schizostachyum lumampao) natural stands
was conducted to determine the effect of thinning, cutting age,
and felling cycle on culm yield and harvest cut. The prescribed
management regime entails applying moderate thinning, culm
cutting age above three years, and a felling cycle of two years
(Virtucio and Tomboc 1991).
Bamboo forest management and harvesting techniques
developed through research are hardly employed by the bamboo
farmers and gatherers to sustainably supply quality bamboo
poles. The present study assesses the gaps in actual practices vis-
à-vis technologies developed locally and abroad for the
management and harvesting of bamboo poles. A number of
bamboo processors in the Philippines have started
“industrializing” bamboo by using B. blumeana for flooring and
other laminated products. Interventions for the production of
good quality poles will contribute to better competitiveness of
the industry as compared to China and other neighboring
ASEAN countries.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework as shown in Figure 1 guided the
conduct of the study. In general, anos, buho, and other
Schizostachyum species are found growing in natural bamboo
stands in public forests. On the other hand, kawayan tinik
and giant bamboo are largely grown in private lands. The
forest resource inventory of the Philippines in 1910 placed
the total area of natural bamboo stands at 200,000 ha.
(OIDCI 1997; Virtucio and Roxas 2003). More recent estimates
by Virtucio (2008) placed the total area of natural bamboo
stands at 48,385 ha. The reasons for the rapid depletion of
bamboo resources include over-exploitation, rampant and
unregulated harvesting of bamboo shoots, and changes in land
use patterns.
Collection and harvesting of bamboo in the natural stands are
governed by Department Administrative Order (DAO) 11 that
restricts volume through the annual allowable cut (AAC). AAC
is computed as area (hectares) covered by the permit × number
of clumps per hectare × 4 (number of culms harvested per
clump). DAO No. 59 exempts bamboo culms harvested from
private and tax-declared lands from obtaining transport permit

Flow of materials and products under traditional practices

(intermittent/irregular, small volume, low profit)

Sources of raw ma- Harvesting and E-bamboo Local

terials (natural Post-harvesting processors market
stands or bamboo technologies
plantations)
Foreign
markets

Flow of materials and products with science-based

interventions (sustainable/regular, large volume, high
profit)

Figure 1. Conceptual framework used in the study to guide the identification of gaps in actual
bamboo clump management and harvesting practices versus available science-based
Interventions

Ecosystems & Development Journal 41

although this is prone to abuse. Irregularity occurs when bamboo
harvested from public land is declared as originating from
private land.
After cutting, harvesters usually carry the poles on their
shoulders to the roadside where a motorized vehicle or truck is
waiting to transport the bamboo poles to roadside bamboo
sellers, factory, or processing mills. Poor transport and handling
procedures either dent, smash up, or gives rise to scratch marks
that lower the utilization rate of each pole.
In general, farmers do not practice proper management of
existing natural stands, perform inappropriate and exploitative
harvesting methods that result in the delivery of poles that are
usually of low quality, susceptible to rot, and prone to splits. The
lack of a bamboo pole grading system and/or standards partly
explains why poles received at the mill are either too young,
over-mature, or riddled with defects. Consequently,
manufacturing firms end up with finished products that are not at
par with those currently available in the global market. Local
production costs are also higher due to wastage and the
inefficient utilization of raw materials. Thus, local e-bamboo
products are far more expensive than those that are imported.
OBJECTIVES
This paper aims to:
1. assess gaps in actual practices vis-a-vis technologies that
have been developed locally and abroad for the
management and harvesting of bamboo poles;
2. determine the factors that influence the non-adoption of
science-based bamboo harvesting technologies that have
been developed through time; and
3. formulate recommendations for the improved harvesting of
bamboo to ensure quality as well as sustainable supply of
bamboo poles for e-bamboo products manufacturing.
METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted from April 2009 to October 2010
through observations and field visits to the provinces of Abra,
Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Nueva Vizcaya, and Rizal. These
provinces serve as major sources of bamboo poles that go into
furniture, handicrafts, and e-bamboo manufacture. Primary and
secondary data were gathered on technologies utilized for
harvesting bamboo poles. Bamboo farmers, gatherers, traders, e-
bamboo manufacturers and processors, and other key informants
were interviewed using structured questionnaires consisting of
both open and close-ended items. To supplement and cross-
validate data from these interviews, informal discussions and
meetings were conducted with relevant stakeholders in the
bamboo industry such as the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI), and concerned local government units.
42 Ecosystems & Development Journal
Secondary data were taken from journals, project reports,
conference and workshop proceedings, and other relevant
documents. Direct observations were likewise made through
field visits to bamboo plantations in the study areas. Primary and
secondary data were utilized to assess the gaps in actual
harvesting methods employed by the farmers versus science-
based harvesting technologies. The results of the survey and
interviews were used to identify factors that influence both the
adoption and non-adoption of science-based bamboo production
and harvesting methods.
Description of the study areas
Abra
Abra is a landlocked province located on the western side of the
Cordilleras in North Luzon. Kessler (2003) reported that in
Abra, various bamboo species occur in about 10,037 ha as
follows: B. blumeana and B. merilliana (bayog) – 950 ha; S.
lumampao - 3,125 ha; Cyrtochloa puser (puser) – 3,786 ha;
climbing bamboo or bikal (Dinochloa sp.) – 1,181 ha. In public
lands, bamboos occur as natural stands with wide and irregularly
spaced clumps. There are also private lands planted with
kawayan tinik and bayog, while D. asper (giant bamboo) was
recently introduced to the province and can be found in the
lowland areas.
Around 1,500 households in 18 villages (16 municipalities) are
involved in the commercial use of bamboo. Abra was once the
major supplier of kawayan tinik poles to Laguna and other
provinces for use in fish pens until the market collapsed because
of the availability of cheaper substitutes. Within Abra, there is a
big local demand for puser in furniture making and handicrafts
making. Shortages in the supply of puser are filled by the other
Cordillera provinces.
Negros Oriental
The Central Visayas Region has a total area of 4,186 ha
(bamboo plantation and natural stand) of kawayan tinik, bolo,
giant bamboo, kawayan kiling, botong, bayog and buho
(Virtucio 2008). Of these, 1,672 ha can be found in the province
of Negros Oriental. The province has been promoting bamboo
and even constructed a trade and exhibits center using bamboo
as the main raw material.
Iloilo
The province of Iloilo has an abundant supply of bamboo,
mostly kawayan tinik. As of 1999, the area where bamboo is
growing in both natural stands and plantations totaled 8,095 ha.
The province is producing an average of 2.4 M poles per year to
supply the raw material requirements of the households and the
various bamboo processors in the province. The Municipality of
Maasin, which has been labeled as the bamboo capital of the
Philippines, is located at the west central part of the province.
The town is home to 3,000 ha of bamboo stands, mostly of
kawayan tinik.
Rizal
The Province of Rizal is home to Kawayan Farm which is
owned and managed by Ms. Veronica Alfonso. The farm was
established in 1980 with the planting of approximately 4,000
seedlings of botong at 10 m × 10 m spacing. Buho is
naturally
growing in the area. Fifteen years after its establishment, the
owners began to harvest bamboo poles that they processed into
high-end furniture. However, stiff competition from China had
forced the closure of the furniture factory.
At present, bamboo poles coming from the farm are sold to fish
pen owners, at prices ranging from PhP 80 (first class, 4”
diameter, and 70 feet long) to PhP 45 (4th class, 2” diameter, and
20 feet long).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Assessment of Gaps
Two matrix tables were created to facilitate the assessment of
the gaps in actual practices versus science-based technologies
Shown in Table 1 is the state of utilization of silvicultural
management practices for bamboo while a similar tabulation on
harvesting technologies is given in Table 2.
Clump Management
The main objective of managing bamboo plantations is to
maximize yield by sustaining the productivity of each and

Table 1. State of utilization of technologies on the silvicultural management of bamboo stands

Specific silvicultural Actual practices as observed in Recommended practices based on R&D results
management technique the field (with literature citation)

Bamboo clump/stand  No form of bamboo clump  Conversion of existing bamboo clumps through the removal of
management management in natural oldest culms within the clump to decongest and allow the
stands. emergence of new shoots (PCARRD 1991).
 Use culm selection system (CSS) for dense kawayan tinik in
natural stands. Culms are thinned to facilitate age
determination and application of harvesting treatments with a
felling cycle of two years. Dead, dying, and the oldest culms
are thinned out, retaining one or two mature culms adjacent
to the new culms to give stability to the clump (Razal and
Palijon 2009).

 During the harvesting of B.
blumeana, poles along the
periphery are cut leaving the
mature ones within the clump
 Negros Oriental bamboo
farmers practice clump
management by harvesting ½
of the bamboo poles inside
the clump
 Removal of spines of B. blumeana and cutting close to the
ground increase the number of emerging shoots and reduce
the number of deformed culms. Regular cleaning of clumps
facilitates harvesting (Lindayen et al. 1969).
 Decongest clumps by removing deformed and over-mature
culms and high stumps from previous cutting; periodic
removal of spiny branches in and around the clump (Robillos
1984).
 Clear clumps of spiny branches from ground level to 2 m
height, to facilitate shoot counting and harvest (Midmore
2006).
 Regenerate old B. blumeana bamboo clumps through: 1)
cleaning the base of the clumps; 2) applying mulch, organic
matter and fertilizer; and 3) maintaining four 1-year-old, four
2-year-old, four 3-year-old and four 4-year-old (4-4-4-4
standing culm density or a total of 16 culms); also known as
the PoPeYe (poles per year) method (Alipon et al. 2009).
 In Sri Lanka, removal of half of the old and half of the new
culms was found satisfactory and manageable (Lessard and
Chouinard 1980).

Ecosystems & Development Journal 43

Table 2. State of utilization of technologies on the harvesting of bamboo poles
Specific harvesting Actual practices as observed
technology in the field
Tools for clearing/  Use of hand-held tools (e.g. bill-hook, bolo or
harvesting bamboo machete) in Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Rizal, Nueva
poles Vizcaya and Abra for cleaning the dense mass around
the clumps, cutting of intertwining branches, cutting
the culm, dragging the culm free of the clump, cutting
the branches flush to the culm, smoothening at the
nodes, etc.
Selection of culms for  Bamboo grove owner or farmer has trained sights for
cutting identifying mature culms.
 Privilege holders cut the culms that are the easiest or
most convenient to extract to make a sale, leaving the
older culms that are found deep in the middle of
clumps.
 In typhoon-prone areas, bamboo harvesting is largely
dictated by considerations of typhoon occurrence.
 Bamboo farmers consider a bamboo pole as mature
when: 1) it is brownish in color or when the base is
yellowing; 2) the inner skin is darker compared to that
of a young bamboo pole which is lighter and whiter; 3)
white spots are present on the skin of the internodes
and there are lichens at the nodes.
 When struck with a stone or the back of a machete, a
mature pole gives a high pitch sound.
 Bamboo stems that are almost covered with fungi and
mosses, and with nodes appearing whitish-gray or
even dry, are deemed over-mature.
 In Abra, bamboo farmers select straight poles, 3 years
old and above and with the desired diameter.
 The absence of a sheath covering the nodes and of
branches at the lower half of the stem indicates
maturity of the poles.
 Bamboo farmers in Iloilo determine the age of the
bamboo culm through: 1) the color of the leaf sheath,
which should be slightly reddish and 2) when the leaf
sheath starts to shed.
 Bamboo gatherers cut only the culms that are the
easiest to extract, usually the poles at the periphery of
the clumps, which are also relatively young. The more
difficult portions of the bamboo clumps where
majority of mature bamboo can be found are left
untouched, until the poles perish for natural causes.
44 Ecosystems & Development Journal
Recommended practices based on R&D
results
 Use of sharp implements to avoid
tearing and splitting the stumps of the
culms. Use of knives to remove
branches, with knife drawn upward
when removing branches so as not to
damage the clump (Gnanaharan and
Mosteiro 1997).
 Use of long, fairly heavy blades
(McClure 1953 as cited by Gnanaharan
and Mosteiro 1997).
 Use of pruning saw for cutting (De la
Cruz 1989).
 Removal of thorny branches before
felling to avoid hurting the harvester
(Gnanaharan and Mosteiro 1997).
 Harvesting age of commercial bamboo
species is between 3-5 years (Rivera
undated); Culms in the central part of
the grove aged 3-4 years old are to be
selected (Yudodibroto 1985).
 For housing and other structural uses
where strength is critical, select only 3-5
year old culms (Alipon 2009; Malab et
al. 2009).
 Select culms depending upon the
minimum age requirement for specific
end-uses and provided that culm
extraction will not affect clump
productivity. Avoid cutting 1 to 3-year-
old culms because these grow from 1 to
2-year-old rhizomes that provide
nourishment for the sprouts (Ueda 1960
as cited by Virtucio and Roxas 2003).
 All bamboo culms above 3 years should
be harvested to achieve high
productivity with the desired quality
(Chatuverdi 1988).
 Exercise care in cutting so as not to
damage the pole. Leave enough culms
standing after cutting to ensure
regeneration of the clump and for
protection of new growth, especially
against strong winds and typhoons
(Razal and Palijon 2009).
 In established plantations, mark yearly
newly emerging culms to properly
ascertain the age of the culm selected
for cutting.
 Use selection-felling system and avoid
clear felling.
Table 2. State of utilization of technologies on the harvesting of bamboo poles (continued)
Specific harvesting Actual practices as observed
technology in the field
Timing of harvest  In Iloilo, bamboo poles are harvested from the
4th quarter of the year until the middle of the
2nd quarter of the succeeding year. Transport
and accessibility to the harvesting sites are
easier during the dry season.
 In Nueva Vizcaya, the practice is not to cut
bamboo poles during months with the letter
“O”, i.e. Mayo, Hunyo, Hulyo, Agosto.
 In Laguna, bamboo poles are usually harvested
in January until summer. Bamboo farmers
believe that this is the time when the starch
content of bamboo is low. When bamboo
poles are cut during the months of May-June,
the poles are prone to bukbok or tik-tik.
Recommended practices based on R&D results
 Harvest bamboo during the dry season when
the starch content of bamboo is lowest, to
make the pole less vulnerable to powder post
beetle attack. No shoot emergence occurs
during this time, hence shoot damage is
avoided (Rivera undated).
 When harvesting bamboo poles during the wet
season, cut only the mature ones (2-3 year old).
Do not remove the poles immediately from the
clump. Prevent the cut portion from soil contact
to avoid moisture adsorption. A large stone or
any hard material should be placed beneath it.
The newly cut bamboo poles are left until all the
leaves are shed off (3-4 weeks) to allow the pole
to consume all the starch and render it resistant
to powder post beetle attack (Malab et al.
2009)

Height of cutting  Cutting from 2-3 m above the ground is
practiced for the following reasons: 1)
difficulty of removing the dense lower portion
where thorny branches abound; 2) the dense
basal portions protect the clump from damage
during typhoons; 3) emerging bamboo shoots
from dense clumps are less prone to poaching;
and 4) the lower portions have different uses
compared with the upper portions of the culm.
 Cut culms close to the ground to maximize
utilization of quality portions. For B. blumeana,
cutting can be done 2-3 m above the ground.
The residual basal portion, referred to as pusog
in some localities, and specifically used for
furniture making, should be cut close to the
ground within six months after removal of the
upper portion (PCARRD 1991).
 In India, the height above the ground at which
the culms are cut should not be lower than the
second node and not higher than 30 cm
(Lessard and Chouinard 1980).

every clump. This is attainable through the application of
appropriate silvicultural and harvesting techniques for specific
bamboo species. The factors to consider include site conditions
related to the species, specific end use or utilization properties,
and regenerative capacity of the species. Most farmers in Iloilo
do not undertake cleaning and clearing of bamboo clumps. This
is to protect the emerging bamboo shoots against incoming
typhoons and from poachers.
A clean clump will have residual poles that are prone to break
from strong winds during a typhoon. Clearing is only
occasionally done when the pusog (butt portion left after the
top has been removed) poles are ready for collection. In
Negros Oriental, bamboo farmers had seen the benefit of
practicing clump management by harvesting half of the
bamboo poles inside a clump. Some Negrense farmers believe
that if the clump is managed properly, there will be more
bamboo shoots and the poles will be straighter. For kawayan
tinik, clump management results in higher culm production and
bigger culms. Decongesting and removing the overgrowth of
spiny branches also lead to early detection of pests, which can
thus be treated when found. This was validated in a study
conducted on B. blumeana where the removal of spines and
cutting of culms (close to the ground) increased shoot
production, reduced shoot mortality and the occurrence of
deformed culms. Midmore (2006) recommended clearing
clumps of spiny branches from ground level to 2 m height. This
practice facilitated shoot counting and harvest and added 2 m of
usable culm.
A study on improving and maintaining productivity of an
unmanaged B. blumeana plantation for quality shoots and poles
in Iloilo and Capiz (Western Visayas) was conducted by the
Ecosystems Research and Development Service of the DENR.
The results showed that cleaning and clearing of unmanaged
clumps, plus annual maintenance of a culm density of six 1-year

Ecosystems & Development Journal 45

old, six 2-year-old and six 3-year-old resulted in the highest
growth rate in terms of shoot and culm production. Apart from
maintaining this culm density, applying fertilizer and mulch
were the other silvicultural treatments employed (Marquez
2006).
Thinning is needed to manage bamboo clumps and the two
known methods of conducting thinning are through the horse
shoe and cross pattern methods (Rivera undated). Virtucio and
Tomboc (1991) emphasized the importance of thinning to
prevent congestion of clump-forming bamboos such as
Schizostachyum lumampao. Virtucio and co-workers (1992)
further prescribed the application of light thinning through
cutting of culms four years old and above.
A felling cycle of two years was considered optimum for
managing B. blumeana natural stands. On the other hand, Alipon
and co-workers (2009) recommended that farmers adopt the
following silvicultural practice to regenerate old B. blumeana
bamboo clumps and to produce sustainable and quality culms:
1) cleaning the base of the clumps; 2) applying mulch, organic
matter and fertilizer; and 3) maintaining four 1-year old, four 2-
year-old, four 3-year-old and four 4-year-old (4-4-4-4 standing
culm density or a total of 16 culms). This strategy of maintaining
four poles per age group for four years cycle, or the PoPeYe
method (poles per year) is deemed effective in addressing the
problem of congestion and improper harvesting practices.
Bamboo gatherers did not deliberately practice thinning as a
form of silvicultural treatment in managing bamboo clumps to
address congestion. In fact none of the respondents indicated
that congestion was a problem. Such neglect makes the clumps
too dense and the culms inside the clump difficult to harvest.
Seemingly, there is lack of understanding on the benefits of
clump management and this highlights the need to demonstrate
to farmers the economic benefits of such intervention.
Harvesting Tools
Harvesting of bamboo requires skills and techniques as well as
proper tools (dela Cruz 1989). The use of hand-held harvesting
tools comprising of especially designed bolos to fit the users’
handedness was observed.
The use of a power chainsaw has made the cutting of bamboo
poles faster and easier, especially of larger-diameter poles with
thick culm walls. However, there is a tendency for the poles to
bind the saw. Ordinary bamboo farmers could hardly afford a
chain saw. For them, a bolo or machete with a sharp blade can
very well serve the purpose.
Selection of Culms for Cutting
The main criteria in selecting bamboo poles to be harvested are
maturity, size and end-user requirements. Farmers know that
only mature bamboo should be targeted for harvesting and they
have trained sights for identifying fully-grown culms. In
practice, selection is foregone especially when there is an urgent
need to make a sale. The felling by privilege holders is
46 Ecosystems & Development Journal
indiscriminate as only the culms that are the easiest to extract are
cut, leaving the older culms located deep in the middle of a
clump. Thus, harvesting is mostly done on the basis of cutting
convenience.
The bamboo farmers rely on visual characteristics to select
culms for harvesting. Culm age is partly based on the color of
the skin of the pole. Virtucio and Roxas (2003) recommend a
more practical way of culm identification by characterizing
culms of various ages, i.e. from 1 to 5 years old. Familiarity
with the field characteristics of culms of various species as they
age will facilitate culm identification for cutting. Practice and
field experience in culm age identification are necessary in culm
selection system for harvesting bamboo.
Timing of Harvest
The dry season is considered the most favorable for harvesting
bamboo because the trails are passable and bamboo stands are
accessible, among other reasons. Some bamboo farmers still rely
on traditional beliefs when harvesting, such as avoiding the
cutting of bamboo during months with the letter “O”, such as
Mayo (May), Hunyo (June), Hulyo (July) and Agosto (August),
which some Ilocano farmers refer to as the “lunatic” harvesting
method. The farmers’ preference for harvesting bamboo during
the dry season also stems from the presumption that starch
content of the poles is lowest at this time; hence, the culms are
less vulnerable to insect attack. During the dry months, the
culms contain less moisture and are easier to cut and transport.
As noted earlier, the study by Garcia and Morrell (2008) showed
higher starch content of bamboo poles and greater prevalence of
powder-post beetle during the summer months. One of the
limitations of Garcia and Morrell’s work, however, is that the
study sites were confined to the provinces of Rizal and Laguna,
so there is a need to verify the findings in other areas in the
Philippines that have different climatic types.
Height of Cutting
In the areas visited, cutting of poles from 2 to 3 m above the
ground is generally practiced. This leaves the thicker, more
durable and therefore, more valuable lower portion of the pole in
the clump. According to farmers, the bottom portion, which is
locally called pusog in Iloilo, is retained to allow enough time
for it to mature further. In practice, the pusog is utilized only
when the top end is already dry. Pusog is a common material for
fencing and house columns. With appropriate harvesting, the 2
m butt can be recovered for use in engineered products because
of its thick culm wall, big diameter and favorable physical and
mechanical properties (Robillos 1984; Alipon et al. 2009).
Factors Affecting the Non-adoption of Science-based
Harvesting Method
Based on the observations made during the conduct of the study,
farmers employed traditional harvesting methods that were
handed down from one generation to another. From the
harvesting tools that were used, selection of culms to be cut, the
height of cutting and distribution of culms to be cut, harvesting
is arbitrarily done on the basis of cutting convenience and to
some extent, by the need to make a sale. This could be attributed
to the fact that harvesting bamboo is not the primary source of
income for most farmers. Bamboo gatherers derive their primary
income from agriculture and only resort to harvesting bamboo as
a supplemental income while waiting to harvest their crops.
Majority of bamboos are sourced from natural stands and many
farmers still maintain a mistaken notion that bamboo is an
inexhaustible resource. Although there are policies that govern
the harvesting and collection of bamboo in the natural stands,
these tend to be abused because of the lack of proper
enforcement by the authorities concerned. Irregularity occurs
when bamboo harvested from public land is declared as coming
from private land.
Finally, most bamboo pole gatherers from natural bamboo
stands do not incur establishment, maintenance or harvesting
costs such that they do not care if their harvesting techniques are
wasteful and detrimental to the growth and development of the
culms.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Bamboo farmers practiced traditional methods of harvesting that
were handed down from generation to generation, some of
which are considered faulty and inadequate. These include
indiscriminate and/or excessive cutting along the periphery that
leaves a clump with uneven distribution of remaining culms,
cutting above the spines and leaving high stumps that are seldom
used, not clearing the clumps of deformed and dead culms,
cutting out of season without proper treatment of the culms, and
cutting immature culms.
In the natural bamboo stands, it was observed that there was
little or no intervention in terms of converting the clumps into
managed stands through application of appropriate silvicultural
treatments such as thinning, clearing, and cleaning. Congestion
was not regarded as a problem by the bamboo farmers as they
cut culms that are the easiest to extract, usually the poles
confined at the periphery of the clumps. Partly, this attitude
stems from the mistaken notion by farmers that bamboo is an
inexhaustible resource. There is also an apparent lack of
understanding of the benefits of clump management. Where
bamboo farmers are aware of the benefits of bamboo clump
management, they are indifferent to adopt innovations in
harvesting. The bamboo gatherers in natural bamboo stands do
not incur establishment, maintenance, or harvesting costs such
that they care little if their harvesting techniques are wasteful
and detrimental to the growth and development of the culms.
The indiscriminate cutting of bamboo or over-cutting is
aggravated by the lack of an updated and comprehensive
bamboo resource assessment on the actual extent and
distribution of existing bamboo stands in the entire country. This
is essentially true for bamboos found in the natural
This information is vital since the bulk of the bamboo poles
supplied to the processing industries come from natural stands.
Making this data available to relevant stakeholders will provide
more informed decisions for bamboo-based industries,
especially in determining if existing stands can meet their raw
material requirements or if additional plantations have to be
established to meet shortfalls in bamboo supply.
IMPLICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on interviews with bamboo farmers and observations in
the field, the following are recommended:
1. There is a need to capacitate the bamboo farmers, gatherers,
bamboo plantation owners on proper harvesting techniques,
appropriate silvicultural treatment, the right felling season,
and clump management through training and similar
activities.
2. To heighten the awareness of the bamboo farmers, gatherers
and bamboo plantation owners on the economic benefits of
clump management and conversion of unmanaged natural
bamboo stands into managed stands, the DENR, together
with PCAARRD and the local government units, should
undertake vigorous information, education, and
communication (IEC) activities.
3. DENR should prioritize the conduct of a national bamboo
resource inventory or a comprehensive bamboo resource
assessment on the actual extent and distribution of existing
bamboo stands in the entire country. Such information is
vital for making an estimate of the extent by which bamboo-
based industries can be supported by existing stands and in
determining additional areas to develop to augment the
bamboo raw material base. While information on total
areas planted per province is available, the density and
stocking are not known.
4. Just like timber, there should be specific government
regulations on the management and harvesting for bamboo
and these must be strictly enforced. There are no rules that
regulate felling of bamboos. Without clear government
regulations, the remaining resource will be continually
depleted.
5. A standard grading system for bamboo poles must be
established to avoid harvesting bamboos that are too old or
too young for the intended use.
Harvesting bamboo stimulates the growth and development of
new culms in a clump. As such, appropriate harvesting
technologies, silvicultural treatment and timing of cutting of
bamboo would result in increased clump productivity and good
quality bamboo poles that the bamboo industry could use to
compete in the global market. Although some traditional
harvesting practices are relevant in sustaining bamboo
Ecosystems & Development Journal 47
the application of scientifically based harvesting techniques such
as the proper selection of mature bamboo culms for a specific
end use, cutting of bamboo poles at the right season, and
appropriate silvicultural treatment and clump management can
significantly contribute to the sustainable supply of quality
bamboo poles for the e-bamboo products industry.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This study was undertaken through the financial support from
the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
Ecosystems & Development Journal 49