Hardwood condos should work just as well as Bamboo, right?

Depends on the wood. Some deteriorate faster than others. Bamboo is better green when put in.
As far as working YES by all means it will work just as good...for as long as the wood survives. I have a few PVC piles as well and they work fine. Anything to give them shelter.

What he said....just as soon as some of these lakes go down, I'm ready to put more in!!

Good fishin'

Thanks for the input. As to the wood deteriorating, not a major concern. I deploy them in a river lake so it's flooding I worry about which usually moves them long before they deteriorate. Here today, gone tomorrow when it floods.

I know everyone seems to trumpet the bamboo, but I'm a big believer in the hardwood. They're heavier and difficult to put out, but if you can drag a good old oak or pecan out and sink it it will be there for years!
If that's not an option, I prefer to combine PVC and something that works quick like bamboo or willow. Once established, the PVC is there pretty much forever.

Way easier to get your bait out of bamboo if you get hung up.

I haven't had much luck with cedar. Everything else has worked good for me.

Willow Trees

I go with hardwood all day long, especially willow trees.

I know nothing about this but the guys I fish with use fruit trees when they can get them and I can tell you they are good.