Cane Fencing Techniques

Fences made with bamboo canes bring a pure texture to gardens and recreational spaces, and the nature of a bamboo fence could be either whimsical and fun or sophisticated and dignified. Builders can utilize permeable materials to construct simple fences, or they may follow authentic Asian traditions to build historically accurate, refined fences.

Rolled Fence Panels

A simple method for building bamboo privacy fences utilizes prefabricated rolls of bamboo canes that could attach quickly and easily to a support framework. The builder sets vertical bamboo poles in concrete, then runs horizontal support rods between the poles near the bottom and top of the fence. The bamboo rolls, which contain canes bound together with string, unroll and attach to the framework formed by the poles and horizontal supports. In a more intricate design, the bamboo rolls sandwich in a lumber frame to make fence panels, which then fill the space between posts.

Nailed Fence Panels

Some bamboo fence designs contain canes nailed or screwed to wooden poles. The Japanese Kenninji style of fence is created this way, with horizontal split canes attached to vertical poles; in conventional fences, the fence poles are covered with broken bamboo canes to conceal the nails. When canes are nailed or screwed to this support, the builder must be careful not to break the canes; utilizing pliers in predrilled holes and being cautious not to over-tighten the screws can help stop splitting.

Tied Fence Panels

Many conventional styles of bamboo fences, including the Japanese Yotsume style of lattice fence, are created with canes tied together using a natural-fiber rope. In authentic Japanese fences, the string is made from hemp palm fibers, and the canes are tied having a conventional knot called otoko musu. The hemp-palm rope used in fence construction, known as some nawa, is dyed black, compared to the string used in other gardening software, which can be left a natural brown shade.

Split Canes

The simplest way to split bamboo for fence designs that require split canes is to use a bamboo splitter; differently configured splitters are designed to split canes into different numbers of evenly sized forks. If a splitter is not available, a dull machete or other big knife may be used to break the bamboo; tapping the machete using a hammer can help to drive the sword down the length of the cane. Both the knife and the cut edges of the bamboo would be potential sources of injury, so contractors should follow appropriate safety procedures, including wearing gloves and eye protection.

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