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FSC WOOD or not?

3K views 17 replies 17 participants last post by  Porosky 
#1 ·
FSC WOOD or not?

Hello LJ's

A question or something to think about :

We use up a lot of wood between us LJ's.
Is all your wood FSC ? Until last year i never really thought about it much but from now on i'll only be using FSC-wood of else reclamed timber.

All the little contributions help a lot!!

What are your thought about this problem?
 
#5 ·
Rick,

I was raised by very frugal parents, so wasting anything was never acceptable. We learned to recycle everything we could, including wood and even the nails. It's second nature to me to plan cutting up materials for a project to get the most out of it and to save the cut-offs for smaller projects. That said I am not familiar with the designation FSC, perhaps it is a European thing. I do use new materials when I need to and then I am looking for something specific and the best price. I've never been aware of such a designation.

I often buy lumber from local sawmills or independent sawyers because I like to support the "little man" as far as the business side of things. I have never bought hardwoods from anywhere other than rough cut and dried at a sawmill. I love running it through the planer and seeing what comes out.

Tell me more about FSC.
 
#6 ·
I try to use all the scraps that I can. I have been planting trees around my property to re-grow wood that I have used.
There are far too many big businesses in the U.S. that destroy to many trees to build a new building, when there is an "empty"/vacant building right across the street.
This is way too wasteful in my opinion
 
#7 ·
Just an interesting datapoint: Current area in United States that is forested is greater now than when this country was first colonized by Europeans…
 
#10 ·
I too, have to admit to not knowing what FSC means.

Hardwoods and exotics are way to expense for me, so a couple
of years ago I started picking up free pallets, skids, and crates from
local sources. Sometimes I find wood or obtain scraps left over from
remodeling jobs and, ocasionaly, friends will give me little bits of hardwood.

A while back I was looking at a bunch of my old projects that now
clutter my home and decided to dismantle some of them to salvage the wood
and recycle it into new projects. This has been fun and I enjoy bring new
purpose for old hardwoods.
 
#12 ·
Most of my personal stash is reclaimed. However, I hang out in a number of circles where people play with lots of exotic woods and they're all very very careful about the Lacey act issues.

Thus their suppliers aren't always FSC (Forest Stewardship Council, for those of you who don't know) certified, but they tend to know their suppliers personally and trust that they're taking wood legally and sustainably.

I actually didn't know that FSC was involved in anything other than construction grade lumber. And poking around their web site I'm not sure how much more than selling their logo they do. So I'll probably ask for it on construction lumber, but I'm not sure I can buy it without. For hardwoods, I'll continue to buy reclaimed lumber, or lumber where people I know trust their suppliers personally.
 
#13 ·
Good topic, Rick. I appreciate the sentiment, but beware the FSC designation. I am in the lumber business & can tell you that (IMHO) the Forest Stewardship Council is more of a "feel good" organization than something that makes genuine positive environmental impact. I have recently sold a bunch of FSC Certified African Mahogany, of all things. The lumber came from Africa to the East Coast, then to Oregon, and on to a custom home in Hawaii. The whole concept of that transaction was absurd. The fact that I can even source certified material & ship it across the globe (using fossil fuels) is mind boggling. In this instance, the homeowner would have made 100 times more positive environmental impact with solar power, more insulation, and low flow toilets!
In any event, I definitely agree with everyone here regarding using local stuff when possible. Managing forests & legislation requiring re-planting within a reasonable time after logging has been in effect in the Western US long before anyone ever heard of "FSC". Lets all remember that wood is still the most environmentally responsible building material available today - in every way- from it's renewability to the energy required to produce it.
Dan in California - rest assured that if you're buying softwood construction lumber in the West, there is about a 99.9% chance that it was responsibly harvested, with or without the FSC designation.
Sorry for running on…...
 
#14 ·
I agree with Allan's post. The entire "green" thing is often a bit of a brain-wash. As he mentioned, it does not do the planet any good if you buy FSC lumber that was shipped half-way around the globe.

I use local lumber or reclaimed lumber whenever possible, and if I do want to use something exotic, I make sure that it's not from a tree species that is endangered. I believe this list at "The Wood Database" should be reliable:
http://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/restricted-and-endangered-wood-species/

When it comes to manufactured wood, FSC plywood or particle board takes on another role, because here it's not just about the wood itself, but also about the chemicals used to manufacture the pieces. This will not only have an effect on the planet but also on your own health. Something to think about.
 
#15 ·
Very good point twobyfour! The local indigenous timber I mill is all FSC certified. It comes from nearby State owned forests that is very well protected and managed. They only cut diseased trees, windfalls and trees at the end of their natural lifecycle. Harvesting methods are strictly contolled to minimise damage.This timber is sold on twice yearly auctions.
 
#16 ·
I don't think that FSC means as much in regards to being "earth friendly" as it does compared to ensuring that forests aren't wiped out and left barren. By buying FSC, you are ensuring new plantings are done and that the species of trees being harvested will remain in supply.

While the African Mahogany might not be as environmentally friendly as using local supplies of another species, I guess it at least ensures that there will be more African Mahogany to harvest in the future.
 
#17 ·
Almost all of my projects posted on LJ are of reclaimed wood. From the longleaf pine to the leftover ipe. Many times it is the cheapest and easiest to aquire, from leftovers at work to dumpster diving to people stopping by and giving it to me. However the wood I make a living with generally is purchased on the open market. I rely on people like Allen above to to keep the big ball rolling and maintain a steady supply. It's in everybodys best interest to see that some form of stewardship is practiced.
An example is when I get to frame a roof with "big" wood (12×16s, 12×12s, 4×8s, & 4×6s) it almost always comes from somewhere in the Pacific Northwest or B.C. Canada. We don't have trees that big in Texas. The pine beetle has seen to that. There is never any extra, they only give me the reqiured number of pieces to do the job. Misscuts are not allowed, The prettiest wood goes by the front door, ugliest out back turned away from view etc.
We all want to keep the forest producing and reproducing it's the only way to have a sustainable species and ensure work for future generations.
 
#18 ·
This a interesting converation we had on FSC wood…. and a few other things… about a year ago.. as always the the conversation was heated…but I feel I made a few good points on the matter of using FSC and what it means…

Also I need to know how you made that curvy box…my first attempt just went in the burn barrel…lol
 
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