Fulfilling a Dream of Reforestation

As Published in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat

By Nick Walden / Town Correspondent

Andy Kimes, of Cotati, had a vision of planting one million trees over his life when he was younger. Twenty-three years ago, a discussion with a friend helped change the course of his life resulting in a combination of two passions that have produced contentment and fulfillment as he helps to bring privacy and serenity to others through bamboo cultivation.

“I have always been a bamboo lover,” said Kimes. “I took it with me to Costa Rica back in ’74 when I had a farm down there totally off the grid.”

When he returned to the states, he started growing plants as more of a hobby. Kimes, who had spent time up in Washington around Tacoma working on a tree-planting chain gang before his sojourn to Costa Rica, had a vision of planting one million trees in his lifetime. When he eventually moved back to the states, cultivating bamboo was a way to keep working on that dream.

At a birthday party to celebrate his fiftieth year, Kimes was talking with a fraternity brother, Andy Blanton, from his days at the University of Southern California who had had a nursery business in southern California, Instant Jungle International, for the previous 25 years. The two decided to collaborate and started the nursery in Cotati.

In 2000 they opened the doors to Jungle Bamboo and Palm Nursery. The location on West Railroad Avenue in Cotati is itself a small jungle.

“When we first bought the property, it was just an open field and now it is a vibrant green space with amazing diversity,” said Kimes, who noted the addition of birds, foxes and other animals. There was even a mass migration of thousands of Starling birds that swarmed around the jungle for a few weeks.

The Bamboo Jungle is comprised of 50 varieties of bamboo along with 15 types of palms spread across six acres. The bamboos are a mix of “clumpers” and “runners” that are the most stable varieties for the specific climate of Northern California.

“People really like them for screening and privacy, “ noted Kimes.  “They fit well in narrow spaces between yards and they can get tall which is great for small yards.” 

Bamboos and palm trees both have a small footprint with large green masses that make them useful for both commercial and residential uses. 

Bamboos are some of the fastest-growing plants in the world has over 1450 varieties worldwide. Additionally, bamboo can capture large amounts of carbon dioxide which they generate and convert into oxygen. A stand of bamboo can release up to 35% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees and they also cause less soil erosion along with keeping up to two times as much water in the watershed. 

“Really this has allowed me to live out my youthful values in unforeseen ways,” said Kimes. “The opportunity for turning a hobby into a business is a love for me. An added benefit is that people who use bamboo tend to be some of the nicest, most wonderful people you could ever hope to meet.”

Kimes uses his website as the primary portal for business along with word of mouth. The site offers a glimpse into the wide variety of plants he carries. While some customers have landscapers perform installation, he also enjoys the chance to work directly with customers.

“I love being in people’s gardens all over Northern California and seeing all of these amazing settings,” he said with a big smile. “Everyone has their own special way of making their home unique from San Jose to Mendocino. It is really fun to do it and be a part of it.”

Jungle Bamboo and Palms also provide staging for events such as local graduations where they need to transform the interior or exterior of a space.

“Bamboo is a great way to re-green the environment,” said Kimes. “When your hobby turns into this thing you can’t foresee, it is just a really fun thing.”