Phyllostachys vivax

This is one of the larger timber bamboos that is grown as an ornamental. It establishes and grows rapidly.

It is the most cold hardy of the giant timber bamboos and shoots in mid season.

It will attain a large size more quickly than Ph. bambusoides, but its wood is inferior. It has excellent shoots and large broad leaves.

This bamboo will size up faster than all of the other timber varieties. It has large leaves similar to Ph. bambusoides and would be difficult to tell them apart. Ph. bambusoides grows stiffly erect however, where Ph. vivax will have a curve to the base of the culm and the culm itself is usually curved. If you are interested in growing  a large bamboo for early season shoots then this bamboo is an excellent choice for colder climates. In colder climates Ph. edulis and Ph. bambusoides will never reach their max height or diameter whereas this bamboo will. The wood is suitable for interior projects however it isn't suitable for outdoor projects where the culms would be exposed to the elements. Because of its fast growth habit and higher sugar content the cells in the wood aren't as dense as other timber varieties and will decompose faster when exposed to sun, water and humidity.

It makes a stunning timber grove however which  more than makes up for its shortcomings as a wood producer.

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