The Sustainable Wood Identification Guide: Bamboo and Pine – 2021
Sustainable wood identification is important to the ongoing efforts all over the world to reduce the effects of climate change. Trees help their ecosystems by creating oxygen, and mass deforestation is a contributing factor to the ever-warming climate. But, intentionally identifying which wood species is sustainable in your area can help reduce the negative impacts of deforestation.
Learn everything you need to know about identifying sustainable types of wood for cabinets, closets, furniture, and other forms of carpentry. Find out why bamboo and pine are two of the most important types of wood when it comes to sustainability. And, learn to be confident in the sustainable sourcing and harvesting of the pinewood you buy in the United States.
Sustainable Wood Identification Guide: Most Eco-Friendly Wood Species
Sustainable wood identification is crucial to keep from worsening the endangerment of already depleted species of trees. Of all the forest land that exists on Earth, only 8% of the forests are protected against deforestation. The remaining unprotected ecosystems only exist because of the immense biodiversity that trees enable in the forest, but they are being dwindled and depleted every day.
As a consumer, you can help by knowing which wood is sustainable, and which is contributing to the unregulated deforestation taking place in other countries. When you choose to become an informed consumer, you are doing your part to help the environment. There are often sustainable alternatives to commonly over-harvested tree species, but you have to know what to ask for.
Wood is in ever-higher demand all the time, as it is integral to building homes, cabinets, furniture – and so much more. Since humans use wood so much, it is a constant struggle to consciously choose sustainable wood identification before building a house, flooring, or cabinetry. Bamboo and pine are two of the most useful and sustainable types of wood to use instead of non-sustainable alternatives, like mahogany and teak.
Bamboo
When it comes to identifying the most sustainable types of wood, first on the list is bamboo. Bamboo grows abundantly all over the world and in a myriad of different climates. When you think of bamboo you might think of Asia, but it also grows in northern Australia, North, Central and South America, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Since bamboo is found so abundantly the world-over, and thanks to bamboo’s unique qualities, it has long been used as a building material in construction. The wood is fibrous enough to make into cordage, or treated bamboo is strong enough to use in place of steel reinforcement rods in concrete construction. The uses of bamboo widely vary, from roof shingles to flooring, bricks – and many more.
But, what makes bamboo sustainable? Along with bamboo’s versatility to different climates, it grows abnormally fast, compared to other wood species used for construction. Most trees take between 10 to 20 years before the wood is mature enough to harvest. Bamboo, on the other hand, produces a harvest every 3 to 5 years.
Not only does bamboo grow easily all over the world, but it also grows much faster than other trees, which makes it an ideally sustainable option. Even so, bamboo sourcing is carefully monitored and controlled to sustain the viability of continued harvests. Bamboo, unlike other hardwood trees, is a primary source of food for some wildlife species, like Pandas and African Gorillas. So, as long as producers continue to source and harvest it responsibly, bamboo is easily the best sustainable wood option anywhere in the world.
FSC Pine
Apart from bamboo, almost every other type of wood for construction comes from felling trees, which is only ecologically sustainable if properly managed. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) offers a Forest Management Certification that incentivizes lumber producers to manage the forest in a way that preserves and benefits the biological diversity of the land. So, when it comes to pine, look for an FSC certification to ensure it is sourced sustainably.
Pine is native all over Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom, which makes it a popular choice for general construction and utility purposes. Pine is commonly sold as 2×4 lumber, and along with other species like cedar and birch, is the primary wood used in framing. Since it is so popular for bulk utility construction uses, natural pine forests have all but disappeared already. So, where does sustainable pine come from?
Most of the pinewood sold in North America and Europe comes from pine plantations, where the trees are sustainably grown and harvested without further deforestation to natural lands. This pine carries an FSC certification, so you know from where it is harvested. In other parts of the world, you cannot purchase pine wood and be as confident in its sustainability.
China imports pine from ancient forests in Korea and Syberia. And, pine that is imported from Finland and Norway might be harvested from ancient forests, which carries a PEFC certificate – not an FSC certification.
Knowing where your materials come from is the most important part of making a sustainable decision. The more consumers demand sustainably derived wood, the more sustainable the logging industry and wood producers become. Talk to an associate to learn more about wood identification, and how the wood used in Myers Cabinets is sustainably and ethically sourced and harvested.