Bamboo can be used as additional or alternative raw material for the wood processing industry. In contrast to wood, bamboo culms undergo structural modifications (cell wall thickening of fibres and parenchyma cells) during ageing which are necessary for the strenght of the culm. This ageing of bamboo culms influences certain properties and consequently, its processing and utilization.

In cooperation with the Laboratorium of Wood Technology, an anatomical evaluation of some bamboo species (Phyllostachys spp., Gigantochloa levis and Dendrocalamus asper) is carried out. In the first place, lignification of cell walls is studied by means of light microscopy, UV-microspectrophotometry and TEM. Furthermore, some other age depending modifications (deposition of additional lamellae in the cell wall and fibre septation) as well as the structure of the node is studied.