Bamboo provides the perfect opportunity for us, the Earth’s greatest consumers, to give something back. There is simply nothing more renewable than bamboo. It is the fastest growing plant on the planet – growing at an amazing speed of 47.6 inches in 24 hours. A grove of bamboo releases 35% more oxygen than an equivalent size stand of trees. It is an essential alternative to deforestation and conventional timber. Unlike most commercial crops, it grows naturally in large forests and can be cultivated without a massive disruption to the local habitat. It requires very little from the soil, and its fallen leaves are enough to replenish the nutrients. It maximizes planting area with a complex root structure which prevents erosion and enriches soil. As it is harvested, the plant and its elaborate root system live on and continues growing. When a tree is cut down, on the other hand, it suffers and so does the environment. Although officially a member of the grass family, it produces harder wood than maple or red oak in a fraction of the time. Planting and using bamboo is a great way to reduce our carbon footprint and help to heal our beautiful planet! Because bamboo is a natural material, it varies in age, density, and color. Different pieces of bamboo are joined together. Please embrace and enjoy the beauty of the natural variations that result, including spots, lines, and different shades!