Bamboo compared with wood as a raw material
Short answer: Bamboo is a grass and grows faster than wood, and the plant does not die when it is harvested. On the other hand, processing it into textiles requires a chemical process, just as when wood becomes viscose.
Grass and tree
Bamboo resembles wood because its canes are hard and can grow very tall, but the plant belongs to the grass family. That means it grows in a completely different way from a tree. It forms no growth rings and does not thicken with age, but sends up new canes from the roots. Read more in is bamboo a grass or a tree.
Growth
Bamboo reaches its full height in one season, while trees take decades to grow large. A new shoot stretches up in a few months, after which the cane spends some years becoming hard and strong. A tree, by contrast, must grow for a long time before it can be felled. See how fast it happens in how fast does bamboo grow.
Harvest without replanting
When a tree is felled, a new one must be planted. When a bamboo cane is cut, the root system stays in the ground and sends up new shoots the next season. A bamboo stand can therefore be harvested again and again from the same roots, as long as the younger canes are left standing. Read more in the root system of bamboo.
Processing
Both wood and bamboo have to be dissolved chemically to become viscose. The cellulose is extracted from the plant material, dissolved and pressed through fine nozzles to form threads. It is the same kind of process regardless of the raw material, and this is where the softness of the fabric is created. See the whole journey in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.
Modal and lyocell
Modal and lyocell are two other cellulose fibres, typically made from wood and with different processes from viscose. They are often mentioned in the same breath as bamboo, because they are also soft and smooth. The differences lie in the raw material and in how the fibre is made. See the comparison in bamboo compared with modal and Tencel.
What you can feel
In the finished fabric, knit and weight matter more than the raw material. A thin fabric feels light and cool, a thicker one feels heavier and warmer, whether the fibre comes from bamboo or wood. If you want to compare two fabrics, the fabric weight is a good place to start. See what fabric weight and GSM mean.
The raw material is only part of it
Fast growth and harvest without replanting are good qualities of bamboo as a plant. But how clothing and bedding feel, last and look after many washes depends on processing, yarn, knit and sewing. The raw material is the starting point, not the whole answer, and that applies to both bamboo and wood.
Browse the range
When choosing bedding, look at the weight and weave of the fabric, feel the surface and follow the care label so the fabric keeps its softness. Wash at a low temperature and avoid fabric softener, which can make the fabric less breathable. See the textiles in bamboo bedding.
Frequently asked questions
Does bamboo grow faster than wood?
Yes. A bamboo shoot reaches its full height in one season, while a tree takes decades to grow large. The cane then matures for a few years before it is harvested.
Does anything need replanting after harvest?
No. The root system stays in the ground when the canes are cut and sends up new shoots the next season. A felled tree, on the other hand, has to be replaced.
Is the process the same as for wood?
Both wood and bamboo are dissolved chemically to become viscose. It is the same kind of process, and the difference lies mainly in which plant the cellulose comes from.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
