Photo credit: forestproductivity.net

Looking for a great product that also helps the environment?  You must be thinking wood.  No?  Well maybe you should.  Being green doesn’t mean you have to build a cold ultra modern house.  One of BMC’s sheetgood vendors, Sierra Pacific, points out common misconceptions about the resourcefulness of wood. 

Trees provide the only 100% renewable, recyclable, reusable, and biodegradable building product we have. Trees can be planted and grown in an endless cycle using the sun as their energy source.  Here are more reasons why wood is so environmentally friendly:

• In part because of economic incentives to replant, the total volume of wood in U.S. forests is actually 25% greater than in 1952.  Today, 37% more wood fiber is grown than is harvested in the United States.

• During the long growing period, trees grown for harvesting help clean the air.  During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

• Wood biodegrades naturally.  When it burns or slowly decomposes, it enriches the soil.

Using wood products is not counterproductive but be sure you know where it is coming from.  The most recognized independent certification in wood products, FSC, assures that the best practices are used.  While BMC offers many FSC products, “only 5% of the world’s productive forests are FSC certified.  With over 13,500 certificates (July 2009), the number of companies along the forest product supply chain committing to FSC certification peaked at 50% in 2008.” 

Hopefully, you are one of those educated consumers that can increase this number.  Buying FSC certified wood products creates a demand for responsible forestry which is more than just a feel good stamp.  It ensures biodiversity, protects endangered forests, and makes them more viable for the future.  So think outside the box, and look inside the forest.