Hardwood is nature’s finest building material. Strong, durable, and readily shaped and molded, technology has not been able to match the exquisite qualities of rich hewn lumber, and timbered cherry, oak, and other traditional species remain the source of choice for twenty-first century builders.

Harvesting trees was once a relatively harmless activity, and logging could be maintained on a small, local scale without measurable impact on the forests. However, as the human population explodes, and the global demand for lumber rises, deforestation is rapidly becoming a concern. Increasingly, builders and suppliers are turning to more sustainable methods, in order to ensure that future generations not only have wood for building, but vibrant groves of old-growth woodlands and clean air to breathe as well.

The best answer to this challenge has been the tree farm, an innovation which economically replaces native timbering with an eye toward the times ahead. Not only do these farms prevent the denuding of critical habitats, by planting exotic species such as teak, they have actually reduced the cost of these woods which once had to be exported from remote tropical locations.

Another recent advancement that is gaining some popularity is the concept of urban tree farming, which is essentially a salvage/recycling approach to the issue. Ironically, trees which are removed in a city rather than a forest are generally treated as yard waste and disposed of, despite being an excellent source of prime lumber. Quick to catch on to the potential, enterprising landscapers are now arranging to have discarded trees redirected to the sawmill for a second life as a beautiful floor or patio deck.

For many builders, materials such as cork and bamboo, which can be harvested without killing the plant, are excellent alternatives to hardwood. Taking advantage of composite materials made from smaller fragments is another way to reduce the impact construction can have on the environment.

But for those who cannot resist the beauty and strength of premium lumber, choosing an ecologically conscious provider of farmed, salvaged, or recycled lumber is the path to a durable future for your flooring-and the planet.