Green Facts
Wood as a Green Choice
Wood products are an environmentally friendly choice for a number of reasons. They are recyclable, biodegradable, and they use less energy to process than metals and plastic. Wood is also a naturally renewable resource, so new trees will grow in place of those harvested. In addition to renewing themselves, new trees are often planted to help the forest thrive.
Lifestyle and Impact
Knowledge of environmental impact of single-family homes and lifestyles is contributing to a rise in demand for multi-family housing in Canada such as condominiums and townhouses. Over the past decade, multi-family housing has grown from 37% to 47% of Canadian new starts.
Friendly Forests
More than 100 million hectares of forest distributed over 79 countries worldwide were certified to FSC standards in April 2008.
Red Alder Products
Red alder is a member of the Birch Family and grows mainly within 100 miles of the West Coast from Southern California to British Columbia. Alder is nature's "rebuilder" of logged areas, forest fires, and of areas depleted of trees.
It grows extremely fast (is weed like) and will reach a height of over 80 ft and a diameter of 11" in 30 years or less.
Because of its regeneration and fast growth, alder is not at this time recognized as a hardwood certified by FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council).
Red alder products reduce the demand for imported tropical woods and reduce the destruction of associated rainforests.
