Managing our Guadua plantations for timber is done to assure that plantations always remain healthy. During the harvest season we selectively remove poles that are at least four years old by cutting them just above a node and about eight inches from the ground level. This selective and precise method allows the plant to produce more shoots during the next rainy season. This cycle is repeated every year. Therefore, bamboo is truly nature's renewable resource.
The same day that poles are harvested, each individual pole receives an immunization treatment using the
Modified Boucherie Sap Displacement System. This process consists of injecting a Borax solution under regulated pressure to remove the starch and soluble sugar from the poles. This method also pushes out the water contained within the pole and replaces it with the borax solution.
The Boucherie Sap Displacement system is the most effective method of treating poles because it uses the plant's own feed system to insure effective penetration of the borax solution. Any other treatment system such as immersion will not work effectively since bamboo has a thin layer of silica and wax which is virtually waterproof.
After the immunization treatment is performed, the poles are stored under roof and go through a natural air drying treatment period for no less than two months, after which the poles are ready for shipment. The total time period from harvesting to shipment takes about three months.
