I am certainly no expert on the subject but I have been using bamboo for the last few years and really like it. I cut the bamboo at about 8 foot and use the tops. I use a sheetrock bucket of quickrete with the bamboo placed in it and spread out to about 6 or 7 foot wide and let it set up. When it gets set I wrap bungee cords around it to gather it up for transport. When I get to my place I just lower the bucket as I release the limbs and it usually spreads out good. Thing I like about it is it really last a long time, and hooks will slide off the limbs easy so it almost eliminates getting hung up. Leaves or no leaves it will do the trick. JMO