Bambusa tulda aka Bengal Bamboo

Bambusa tulda is a large bamboo in the grass family. Its common names include Bengal bamboo and Indian timber bamboo. Kew records its native range as Meghalaya, in Assam. Other sources describe a wider range across southern Asia. These include northern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of China. It grows in forests, valleys, and plains, often beside streams. It also occurs along dry streambeds in Myanmar.

This fast-growing bamboo forms clumps of tall, woody canes. It may keep its leaves or shed them. Garden size reaches about 49 feet [15 metres] tall. Its spread can reach 26 feet [8 metres]. Broader accounts give heights of 20–66 feet [6–20 metres]. Sources differ on the thickness of the cane walls. Some describe thin walls; others call the culms almost solid. Their reported strength makes them useful for building and craft work.

New shoots start growing when the rainy season begins. They finish gaining height within two to three months after emerging. Older culms do not keep gaining height or width. Plants flower only after gaps of many years. This makes seed hard to obtain for planting. Fresh seed loses viability within about a month under normal conditions. Dry storage can extend its useful life. Seedlings need moist compost and light shade while they grow.

This species suits warm, moist tropical and subtropical sites. PFAF lists it for USDA zones 10–12. It prefers dappled shade but also grows in full sun. Give it fertile, moist soil that drains well. Medium and heavy soils suit it best, though sandy soils are also suitable. It favors acid soil, with a preferred pH of 5–6. Its best growth occurs with daytime temperatures of 22–28°C. In the wild, it reaches elevations of 4,921 feet [1,500 metres].

People plant it as a windbreak around farms and fields. Its culms supply poles, scaffolding, furniture, baskets, mats, and household goods. India also uses it widely for paper pulp. Young shoots provide food, though their bitter taste favors pickling. Harvesters take them as they emerge, or while still underground. PFAF reports no known hazards and no known medicinal uses. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases.