The physical and mechanical properties of Bambusa arundinacea, B. longispiculata, B. vulgaris and Dendrocalamus giganteus have been studied at three height levels. The moisture content and shrinkage decrease, whereas specific gravity increases as the height of the culm increases. B. longispiculata exhibits the highest specific gravity among the four species. The diameter shrinkage is found much lower than the shrinkage in wall thickness. The compressive strength, fibre stress at elastic limit and modulus of elasticity increase with the culm height. Among the four species, B. arundinacea shows the highest strength in almost all cases.