Timber is one of the most popular materials being used worldwide. From interior to exterior, the aesthetic appeal of timber, as well as its hardiness make it an obvious choice for a variety of projects. What exactly makes this wood so adaptable? Timber stores carbon through its life cycle, and it is recyclable.

The production and processing of timber products uses less energy than most other building materials, in turn resulting in fewer emissions into the atmosphere.

The below article is shared by the R & B Timbers group from sustainablematerials.org.uk. The website no longer has the information.

All over the world people are surrounded by wood. Timber is the mainstay for construction in much of the world, but where does it come from? After all, humans cut down timber in large quantities, but we also need the oxygen they provide in order to breathe. In many cases humans are doing a disservice to themselves when they cut down timber in large quantities without thinking about sustainable practices. While it might seem farfetched there is such a thing as sustainable timber. In the article below we will help introduce you to the difference between responsible and irresponsible methods of collecting timber.

Sustainable and Commercial Timber Production

There are two kinds of timber production that are mostly used in the world today. The first is the commercial oriented timber harvesting that creates efficient wood prices. This is the type of logging that has been going on in much of the world for a greater part of the 20th and 21st centuries. However, the great awakening in sustainable movements has led to a new type of timber harvest that many companies have shifted to. Sustainable timber is produced in a totally different manner. First, specialists will analyze the forest to determine the age of the existing trees, the type of species, and tree values and the markets for them. This host of factors will ultimately determine what kind of time period before the area can be forested and harvested again. The main aspect to sustainable timber harvesting is the regeneration of the trees. In the commercial methods there is a complete disregard for the trees, which causes huge problems for sustainability purposes. Many sections are stripped bare without any other trees, which makes forest regeneration very difficult in the future. Other times, commercial timber production does not even recognize the age of trees, which yields them less wood and denies trees the opportunity to fully grow.

Buying Sustainable Wood

It may not always be your first choice when buying wood, but purchasing sustainable timber is a great way to show the market forces that you care about the environment. There are many aspects of the sustainability movement that have already become cheaper than traditional methods. The only way for this to happen is to show your support by spending the money on sustainable wood rather than other products that are commercially done. The truth is that the only way to make producers change their way is to show them that there is an economic incentive to do so. Sustainability can only go so far with the moral movement, but economics have to play a significant role as well. Placing your money in the hands of commercial timber producers just tells them that they can continue doing exactly what they are doing to the earth. However, if you instead use your money for someone who has regeneration and growth in mind, then we will have a more sustainable and long-lasting planet to call home.