If the client doesn't want to switch out the bamboo for another species, you are kind of stuck. There is nothing you can do to make that bamboo put up shorter culms. However, all bamboo do top out at different heights, so it won't keep getting bigger and bigger indefinitely...just until it reaches the customary height for that species, whatever that is. I grow lots of varieties of bamboo, but I also live in a part of the country that gets very little snow, so I don't have the regular snow-loading problems you are facing, but I occasionally tie up new culms when they lean out too far.

Even if you switch to another species of bamboo that does not get as high as what you are dealing with, there are none that I can think of that have short, thick culms that won't flop over with snow. The only suggestion I can make is to continue topping (which I consider bad aesthetically), and/or to support the clumps by tying them to the wall or fence. This can be fairly unnoticeable if you use the right material. You might even consider using a really heavy duty monofilament fishing line, which would be nearly invisible, yet help prevent flopping over.

Monofilament line

Thanks, kudzu, (have I seen you over on kitchens?) i really appreciate your expertise. I kind of figured my options were limited, as much as I hoped otherwise. I believe that client doesn't want the bamboo so tall for aesthetic purposes as well as for snow load, but need to double check that.

If it is the snow/rain storm, leaning factor, the monofilament line is a really good plan. I'll take your thoughts up with the client when I'm there in the spring. Thank you so much again.

Good luck, and feel free to re-post here or email me if you want to discuss this further. And, yes, you've seen me on Kitchens...GW is a big part of my social life :-)