Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Teak vs. Bamboo
Teak vs. Bamboo. Teak and bamboo both have a long history of use by humans for a variety of purposes. Teak wood remains strong and in good repair in structures built hundreds of years ago. Bamboo plays an important part in the lives of people in Asia today, as it has for centuries.
Teak and bamboo both have a long history of use by humans for a variety of purposes. Teak wood remains strong and in good repair in structures built hundreds of years ago. Bamboo plays an important part in the lives of people in Asia today, as it has for centuries.
Species
The genus containing teak trees, Tectona, has only three species, while bamboo refers to about 1,200 different species of plants in dozens of genera. The Tectona grandis, the most prominent teak species and the plant most people have in mind when they use the word teak, possesses significant commercial value. The other two species have little economic importance. Bamboo grows throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with some types thriving in the warmer temperate areas. Most bamboo species originated in China and southeast Asia.
Description
The common teak, Tetona grandis, reaches between 60 to 100 feet, with trees in the wild growing taller than cultivated trees. The leaves, about 18 inches long and 9 inches wide, have a coarse texture, while the white flowers produce a pleasing aroma. The numerous species of bamboo come in a variety of sizes, ranging from dwarf types reaching only 1 foot high to species that grow 130 feet tall. Bamboo grows at a rapid rate, with some species extending as much as 12 inches per day.
Uses
Teak has a prominent place in the furniture industry, as it works well and has good durability. The wood contains oils and resins that protect it from moisture, making it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture and boatbuilding. Bamboo has a wide range of commercial and decorative uses, including flooring, furniture and paper pulp. Some gardeners grow certain species of bamboo as ornamentals or privacy screens. Both species have been used in traditional medicine historically, as well.
Tree and Grass
Teak is a tree, while bamboo, despite having a woody stem, belongs to the grass family. Despite its classification as a grass, some bamboo species attain heights close to those of the tallest teak trees. Teak, a deciduous tree, drops its leaves at the end of the growing season. Bamboo, an evergreen, keep its foliage throughout the year.
