My husband know it yet, but one of his outdoor projects for next year may involve bamboo. This is not a photo of our bamboo stand, but that of a farmer who's been growing the plant for a few years. I think some of ours may be mature enough next year that we can at least use a few stalks for garden poles, etc.
Clemson University has some useful information on keeping bamboo from getting out of hand in your yard. I'll let you know next spring how ours is doing.