By Shermakaye Bass
Green Right Now

It’s not always easy being green. Lourdes Rodriguez learned that the hard way. Earlier this year, the Round Rock, Texas, resident decided to replace a rickety cedar fence with a stylish new bamboo one.

Attracted by its eco-friendly qualities (only three to four years between harvests vs. cedar trees, which take up to 30 years to grow back), its durability and its ability to withstand the high winds and intense heat typical in her town, Rodriguez researched the project and eventually purchased the bamboo from Backyard X-scapes, a San Diego outfit. She paid approximately $3,000 for the bamboo, posts, stain and other materials needed for her 150-foot-long structure. She and her significant other, Doyce Jones, were excited by the prospect of an elegant-looking fence that was good for the environment, would last at least five times longer than a traditional wood fence and was significantly less expensive than cedar (those bids came in around $7,000).

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