I questioned the salesman about Teak and Tiger wood and he assured me it was certified but when i asked him about sustainability he never actually acknowledged that it came from a sustainable forest. Earth Surface Processes. "5 Sustainable Hardwoods" Sustainable wood comes from sustainably managed forests. , Least Sustainable Woods (Avoid Buying These), Maintaining Sustainability Through Reclaimed Wood, International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, 5 Best Types of Wood for Wood Burning Art (Pyrography), 6 Best Types of Wood For Making a Picnic Table, 5 Best Types of Wood for Shelves (Top Wood Species by Project). This stuff is tough to work with and blunts cutting tools more than other woods, but it glues well. eco-friendly finishes. Currently, FSC manages approximately 572 million acres of forests in 89 different countries. The U.S. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) runs the biggest certification program. White ash is also a popular landscaping tree. For more information about sustainable wood and other wood projects, NHL.com, April 7, 2008. When designing a new home, a few types of wood are popular in high-end builds for interior trim, cabinetry, and flooring. finish you use and how you care for your floors. On the other hand, hardwood uses more wood and more resources. Have You Bought Timber Products from Illegal Sources? Of all the trees grown in the mixed-wood, FSC-certified forests of Pennsylvania, cherry is the most valuable. Mahogany's fine texture and deep, rich color have made it the world's choice for fine furniture for centuries. Poplar trees grow an astonishing 5 to 8 feet in just a single year, while walnut trees only grow 3 to 4 feet per year. According to NHL.com correspondent Paul Kukla, players soaked the blade of their wooden sticks in water, then closed the blade between a door and the door frame and put pressure on the handle until the blade bent to the desired curve. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/fraxinus/americana.htm, Uchytil, Ronald J. If your fingernail leaves an impression, it's soft maple. Year-old seedlings are planted to reclaim old surface mines and re-establish viable forest communities. In the 1960s, hockey players learned that they could control the puck better -- and deliver powerful slap shots -- if they curved the blade of their stick. Beech trees also thrive in the forests in the northeastern part of the U.S., making them abundant and locally available, depending on where you reside. (Accessed 10/01/2009). "Tropical Lumber." Here is a list of wood types to avoid in your quest for an eco-friendly home: The type of wood you choose for your home isnt the only factor that affects its sustainability. As a result, buying wood has become quite a complex matter. It's harvested sustainably from Pennsylvania's 2.2 million acres of FSC-certified state forests. And that's just the hardwoods. Heres what else you need to know about poplar wood: Beechwood is commonly found in furniture, cabinets, and flooring because of its resistance to wear and tear, making it perfect for homes with pets or frequent foot traffic. Everything You Need To Know About Shellac Flakes (FAQs), 11 Types Of Axes Woodworking Tools Guide. Not all pieces of white oak flooring are alike when it comes to the environmental impact that went into making it. A tropical wood, mahogany is also tough enough for outdoor and industrial use. Below are nine kinds of woods to consider when planning your eco-friendly home remodel: White ash is a tree that grows in North America, and you can use it for all kinds of woodwork, including flooring, furniture, doors, decks, and more. Any suggestions on which wood to use? You can grow your own ash wood right in your front yard. 67-71. Wooden Flooring Types, Finishes and Maintenance Debunked, Bring Colour to Your Home with A Rainbow of Wood Stain Colours, How To Paint Your Garden Fence For A Smooth Finish. http://www.fscus.org/news/index.php?article=23, Forest Stewardship Council. The timber industry is insatiable, as is our demand for wood. Oak forests have to be managed carefully to make them sustainable,grown and harvested in the right way, but it can be done. Sugar maples form the hard type, which is also valued for extremely white sap wood. Black cherry trees are one of several species being planted to rehabilitate disturbed areas in coal mining states. "Anderson-Tully Company First Southeastern U.S. Timberland Company to Earn Forest Stewardship Council Certification for All Its Lands." Check out these facts about Sungkai wood: Moderate durability, with requiredtreatment. Although maple doesn't accept stain well -- it tends to blotch -- you can polish and clear coat it to achieve a beautiful, smooth finish. "More Than 100 Million Acres of forest in the United States and Canada Now Managed to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Standards." Here are a few facts about black cherry wood: Straight-grained with some figured patterns. Light to dark brown, rich in tannins and straight-grained with long rays that contribute to figuring, it's the most popular choice for hardwood cabinets, high on the list for flooring and home furnishings, and valued in the construction of bridges, barrels and boats. Here are more quick facts about pine wood: Straight-grained with many dark, porous rings, Fast-growing and tall, providing lots of wood per tree. I would recommend getting in touch with the Forestry Commission as they are the best placed to help you with your dilemma http://www.forestry.gov.uk/. Always look for official certification of the woodssustainable source, even if it says its from the EU. (Accessed 09/30/2009). Wagner, John D. Green Remodeling: Your Start Toward an Eco-Friendly Home. White oak is an economical option for homeowners looking for a strong, rot-resistant material. Eco home remodeling doesnt mean you have to give up on your dream kitchen or living room. Its used for furniture and floors, scaffolding, fences, bridges and even bricks. Royal Roads University. Irresponsible logging leads to deforestation, pollution of waterways from erosion runoff, and the removal of a major resource in the carbon cycle -- a whole forest of oxygen-producing, carbon dioxide-absorbing trees. Simply because theyre replaceable, fast-growing species like Pine trees tend to be more sustainable than slow-growing trees like Oak. On the other hand, if we base sustainability on hardness and durability of the wood, the most sustainable species are maple and white oak. Unfortunately, a lot of these heavily exploited, highly valuable commercial timber species are vulnerable and threatened with commercial extinction due in major part to demand from consumer markets. Sustainable wood, also called eco-friendly or responsibly sourced wood, comes from forests with specific preservation considerations. "Points to Ponder as the Season Approaches." My apologies for the delay in getting back to you. Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is native to non-coastal areas of the eastern United States. The Wood Box, January 2007. But lumber producers must do even more to earn FSC certification for their products. Look almost anywhere, and you'll see things made from wood. "Pennsylvania Cherry Proves a Popular Wood." Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. It seems impossible. Strong, durable and naturally water-resistant, white oak (Quercus alba) is at home indoors and out. As such, it is a great replacement for those fine details in your home like your furniture, decking, veneer, window frames, cabinets, plank accent wall, and more. Since buying locally makes sense environmentally and economically, we'll also look at where each type of wood grows. Durability and aesthetics determine the useful life of a wood product in your home. Maple's pale color, lively graining and fine texture combine with strength to make it an excellent choice for furniture, cabinets, paneling, doors, molding and flooring, including stair treads. Many of them probably sport handles made from ash. Oak is dense and stiff and resists bending under weight, but if you want curves, you can get them without excessive risk of damage. (Accessed 10/01/2009). Cherry bends with relative ease and finishes smoothly with sanding and polishing. There are two ways of answering this question. I believe a sustainable product however transportation will add to the environmental impact. Engineered wood is more sustainable than traditional hardwood flooring. I have recently been to a reputable hardwood floor dealer in our area. Alder has a natural warmth to it that reduces the need for finishes that set off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, making it even more well-suited for an eco-friendly home remodel. Sustainability in this context means the forest should still be there for your grandchildren and great grand-kids, and be able to soak up carbon emissions and keep our air clean for generations to come, as well asa being haven for wildlife. Pink to reddish hues are characteristic of black cherry, but the wood is photosensitive and darkens quickly if exposed to sunlight. Cherry is blessed with a straight grain and fine texture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To ensure that you are getting wood from a sustainable source the wood should have the FSC 100% or the PCFE logo printed on it, if not on the wood on the paperwork that comes with the wood. Because the wood is hard, you'll need to drill pilot holes for your screws and nails. The grain can be straight or wavy, with swirl, quilted or ribbon stripe figures commonly occurring. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2003. http://www.thewoodbox.com/data/wood/index.htm, Marquis, David A. Jarrah is coarse-grained, and gum-pocket defects are common. Black cherry is the only cherry tree that grows large enough to have commercial value. "Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)." Because the lawplaces a minimum requirement on replacingharvested trees as well as limiting annual harvests, buying European woodis usuallya safe choice. Varieties of white oak also grow in Oregon and California. U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. If you are concerned that a supplier is mis using the logo you are able to check and report on these websites also. USDA Forest Service. Engineered wood is more environmentally-friendly than solid hardwood because engineered wood is a combination of layers of thinly sliced pieces of hardwood with a sturdy plywood base. This type of mahogany is easy to work and easy on your tools. Since this type of wood doesnt use the entire piece of hardwood for a single board, it requires less timber. We thought itd be useful to take a look at the subject to help you avoid buying the wrong stuff. You should also know that the finish you use and how you care for your floors is one of the biggest factors in its durability. Everything You Should Know About Sustainable Wood, Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification, You can read more about their sustainabilityhere. Associated Press. Red oak species thrive throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. http://www.fscus.org/news/?article=560, Forest Stewardship Council. Kenney, Matt. Does your taste in wood run to something with more personality? (Accessed 10/01/2009). http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/pruser/all.html, United States Geological Survey. Furniture-quality mahogany comes from Central and South America and the Caribbean. Sustainable wood comes from responsibly-managed forests. Reclaimed wood is recycled wood processed for reuse. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=486976#&navid=nhl-search, Lacasse, Roger and Karen. Water and earth are other sources of iron. If you want to show off the beauty of wood in your project, maple's a great choice. "PA a Keystone for FSC." It's still highly valued today for the lustrous glow that it brings to furniture, cabinets, flooring, paneling, doors and trim. 13 October 2009. The EU hasintroduced legal measures to protect its woodlands and forests,and these days more trees are planted than felled. Pinterest or The effects are clear illegal logging leads to wholesale destruction. Hardwood vs. And much of the time its harvested unsustainably despite the best efforts of conservationists, governments and lawmakers. USDA Forest Service. That's good news. Based on the simple fact that maple has a shorter growing life than white oak, I would be justified in saying that maple is one of the most sustainable tree species of the five you list. These eco-friendly wood alternatives and tips for identifying sustainably-sourced wood can help you prepare for your next home improvement project. July 24, 2009. If you are absolutely set on teak, walnut, wenge, or mahogany wood in your home but still want to find a way to make your purchase more eco-friendly, opt for reclaimed wood. Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. Black cherry sounds as deep and red as it looks. The large, open pores of oak give it a coarse texture that you can see and feel. Pinewood is very versatile and, despite it being a softwood, you can use it for furniture, floors, cabinets, and molding. "Low-Cost Lumber." Wood flooring looks fantastic, but itsalways a good idea to make sure the flooring youre buying comesfrom sustainable sources. Check with a contractor or carpenter near you when planning a project for material pricing and availability. We really like the wood but I dont want to contribute to the destruction of the rainforest. "Minnesota Wild-Colorado Avalanche Game Breakers." There are links in the above blog for both organisations for full details on why and how to get sustainable wood for your projects. Because it was abundant and had qualities similar to mahogany, cherry was often used to make furniture in Colonial America. July 16, 2009. USDA Forest Service. The first answer is what most people believe based on how many years it takes a particular species to reach maturity and be harvested. Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles. Look for the U.S. Forest Stewardship Council certification or the Greenguard label. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Whether using hardwoods for your floor or furniture, there are some varieties that can be sustained. More northerly in its range, the Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is an important tree in Canada. This wood presents with a variety of figures: bird's-eye, curly, fiddleback, quilted, spalted and swirl. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/acer/rubrum.htm, Zemtseff, Katie. Plus, if you choose to source from the U.S., you can avoid extra transportation emissions from importing exotic wood. Softwood: What Are The Differences? http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/sustaining_forests/conserve_enhance/timber/. The harvesters also take pains to reduce the impact of the harvest by maintaining a buffer of trees around waterways and reseeding areas damaged by the lumbering equipment. A few ways that wood materials are identified as sustainable include: Maintaining and protecting the native animals and plants that live in the forests, Protecting native trees from invasive species, Keeping forests free of byproducts that create greenhouse gases, organic compounds, and phosphorus. Here are some additional facts about alder wood: Most similar to cherry, birch, or maple wood. Whether youre moving into a new place or simply want a stronger flooring option, well prepare you to choose between engineered wood and laminate. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23959105/, Cornell Sugar Maple Research and Extension Program. I hope that helps and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch contact us Sustainable cherry is also a wood of choice for some Martin Guitars. Mahogany is also a good material for decking around pools and hot tubs. Perhaps your local DIY store can help or a recommendation on Social Media is a good way to find out. "For Wood Lovers." Its characteristic dark streaks and thin lines are the beginning ravages of rot. Whether or not your wood floorboards are hardwood or engineered also plays a role in whether or not the wood is considered sustainable. It forms the furniture you sit on, the floor you walk on, the cabinets that store your dishes, the doors that secure your home, the frames that hold your treasured photos, the clock that chimes the hours, and perhaps even the trim in your car. Although hard, this wood takes well to machining and hand tools, and can be stained and sanded to a good surface. http://www.fscus.org/news/index.php?article=25, Hanafee Bros. Sawmill Company, Inc. "Soft Maple." In: Fire Effects Information System. FSC flooring products are internationally recognised as meeting these exacting standards and treating the environment responsibly. Most trees large enough for commercial use grow in the Allegheny Plateau of Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. Maple is dense, so pre-bore holes for nails and screws. Thanks. It is important that any wood considered is PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification)or FSC ( Forest Stewardship Council). Your best bet is to buy from a supplier with FSC accreditation, someone like Flooring Supplies, a UK-based firm that has made great efforts to achieve accreditation from the FSC and is proud if its green credentials. It had a lovely straight trunk and now it lies adjacent to the public road. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wavy growth rings give it interest and personality, and it often presents with a swirl figure. This wood is also lightweight, making it easier to transport with less fuel. (Accessed 09/30/2009). Severalinternational organisations are involved in assessing forests across these regions. This past week I was speaking to a representative of a kitchen fitting company which makes all their own units and he told me that oak wood was very popular and in demand just now so I told him about the oak trunk which we have for sale and which up till now we cannot find anyone interested to buy. contact our team of resident experts who are always on hand to help with project advice and product recommendations. To find soft maple in the stacks of lumber at your retailer, press your fingernail into the surface of the wood. Use sharp blades and work slowly to minimize damage. Hi, Im doing a GCSE in woodwork and I have to make a creative solution for a greener world and I have chosen to make a chopping board. FSC flooring will feature the organisations logo, so you can quickly tell if the product you are considering is environmentally friendly., Heres an interesting little video about British grown sustainable wood. http://www.earthsourcewood.com/fscbuilding.aspx, EarthSource Forest Products. Hello, I am trying to buy some wood flooring (ideally engineered) that is made from wood grown in the UK. Another substitute for mahogany wood is andiroba, which is a hardy choice for anything from your floors, deck, veneer, and window frames. I hope that helps some and if you have any further questions please feel free to get in touch via our contact us page. (Accessed 09/22/2009). Ask our knowledgable panel of professionals. Programme for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification has been involved. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) recognizes more than 100 million acres (40,468,564 hectares) of forest in the United States and Canada that are managed to its environmental and social standards [source: FSC]. http://www.waterforest.com/pdf/djc_article-july9-09.pdf, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. Last winter one got badly damaged in a storm and so for the safety of the public we cut down the tree as we could not prune it into a safe condition. "Bateman Centre at RRU to receive $500,000 of sustainable mahogany." Alternatively, see our Theircertification system provides internationally recognised standard-setting andtrademark assurance to anyone, business or individual, who isinterested in supporting responsible forestry. It happensthousands of miles from home, exotic and remote. http://www.hblumber.com/species/softmaple.html. Fine Woodworking: May/June 2009, pp. If you dont want to support illegal loggingor encourage deforestation, you needto be aware of how to buy sustainable wood. They must document the journey of the lumber from forest to retail shelves with a chain-of-custody paper trail to prove that the wood was harvested legally from a certified sustainable forest. 1991. In 2008, this translated into 10.7 billion board feet of U.S.-produced hardwood lumber [source: Associated Press]. The wood in your homefrom the exterior to the interior walls, doors, and floorscan make all the difference between that warm, country niche and a cool, modern design. According to the Unites States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forestry Service, the U.S. demand for wood products is growing at twice the rate of the population [source: Northern Research Station]. From a cost perspective, birch, oak, and maple are generally the least expensive for flooring. However, choosing materials for your home can be overwhelming when there are so many different options available, whether youre moving into a new home or simply looking for ways to make your home more customized and personal. I live in Wiltshire. On the next page, learn about a sustainable hardwood that's at home in formal living rooms and in outdoor spaces. Sadly, money often speaks louder than common sense and today is often more important than the future. MSNBC. (Accessed 10/01/2009). NHL.com, August 25, 2009. It's tough enough to stand up to the elements, smooth enough to keep bare feet safe from splinters, and it ages gloriously. A very soft wood like reclaimed Douglas fir or heart pine can outlast a hardwood like maple if you apply a repairable finish and maintain your floor. Because of its resonant quality, fiddleback maple is the preferred wood for violins. The growth pattern results in uneven grains that make boards susceptible to splitting. In some areas there are no trees left and wood is beingsmuggled in from Indonesia to meet demand. April 10, 2006. These options give homeowners the opportunity to create a dramatic aesthetic in the home with a unique type of wood. "Conserve and Enhance Timber Productivity and Wood Quality." Since this wood is not endangered and grows quickly, its a great alternative to cherry or even walnut. Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. Because it bends very well with steaming, ash is ideal for curved furniture, trim and crafts. An extensive audit process was undertaken before FlooringSupplies.co.uk was allowed to sell FSC flooring, but now approximately half of our Natura range of engineered wood floors is certified by the FSC, as well as a number of Kahrs engineered products. It depends on its origin. A birch tree, which takes a third to half as long as an oak tree to reach maturity, is often seen to be a fairly sustainable wood source (out of the five species you list). You can use poplar wood for furniture, cabinets, veneer, plywood, doors, window frames, and more. Its close cousin, red oak, is pink to reddish-brown in color with mostly straight grains and very little figuring. Heather Kolich Ash stains beautifully, but if you're looking for a smooth, glassy surface, you'll need to fill the characteristic open pores with pore filler before finishing the piece. Harvesting that much wood can have devastating effects on forests and surrounding environments. In its less active life, the strength and rich, creamy color of white ash make it a popular choice for furniture. Instagram pages. Cherry typically costs 15 to 20 percent more, and hickory costs an additional 10 to 20 percent above that. April 6, 2008. Depending on availability, you might get lucky and find exotic reclaimed wood. (Accessed 09/22/2009). Newtown, CT: The Taunton Press, 2005. The workhorse of sustainable mahogany is the dense, irregularly grained Australian variety, Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata). Red oak doesn't repel water like white oak does, and traces of iron in water will stain the wood dark. The best part is that its environmentally friendly because youre not purchasing brand new wood from at-risk tree species. Oak and hickory can grow for several hundred years, and while we don't wait that long anymore to harvest them, they still take substantially longer to reach harvest maturity than the other trees you mention. (Accessed 09/30/2009). Sustaining Forests. This durable material can be stained in many different colors, making it a flexible choice with an appearance thats easy to customize. Poplar trees are easy to sustainably log because of their growth standards, making them a great alternative to walnut hardwood. (Accessed 09/22/2009). You'll need to drill pilot holes for nails and screws, and be sure to use only galvanized fasteners since the tannins in oak react chemically with iron. Wood also has uses you don't see: the framing inside your home's walls and the pallets that store inventory for the stores where you shop. These sources can be made sustainable through hard work,determination and dedication to the environmental cause. It is a fast growing grass that has the strength and durability of a hardwood, this is perhaps something that you could look in to as an option. page. FAQ page which covers many of our most commonly asked questions. You can evaluate the woods sustainability by looking for certifications that show that the product in question has been responsibly sourced. Do you supply this or can you advise where I might buy it? Wood sourced fromAsia, Africa,South America and even the USA and Canada comes with fewer guarantees. The heartwood starts out with pink, salmon and red tones that age to rich reds and browns. (Accessed 09/30/2009). These types may also help you save some money with a readily available product. (Accessed 10/01/2009). Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. If you're more handy than athletic, check out your hand tools. In terms of which wood to use, there are many many suitable option but perhaps one that is popular for it sustainability at the moment is Bamboo. Good Green Homes: Creating better homes for a healthier planet. Since theyre so fast-growing, poplar trees can quickly replenish forests. (Accessed 09/22/2009). Just8% of the worlds forest isproperly protected from destruction. Kiln-dried, turned and clear-coated, white ash becomes the driving force of line-drives and grand slams in America's pastime, baseball.

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