The forestry industry has come under increased scrutiny as more and more people realize the importance of trees in our eco system and the impact that healthy forests have on our planet.

While it may be true that the softwood industry has much to learn about its global responsibility, the hardwood industry, partly by it's very nature and partly by design, is planet friendly.

The hardwood forest industry has learned that growing twice as much wood as it harvests ensures the abundance of trees for harvest and for a healthy planet. Typically with hardwood harvesting only small groups of mature trees are taken leaving individual and younger trees to reach their potential and contribute to the regenerative process. Careful management has resulted in the hardwood species most in demand being abundant.

Hardwood trees are very different than softwood in the way in which they grow. Hardwood trees grow spaced apart allowing sunlight, rain and nutrients to reach smaller trees. As a result they grow quickly reaching heights of 15 - 20 feet in as little as five years.

Hardwoods regenerate through seeding and sprouting from tree roots and stumps making replanting unnecessary as with softwoods. Forest wildlife helps with the process through acorn planting by squirrels and seed scattering with birds. Oak, the most abundant of hardwoods, is a good example of how nature and the environment ensure it's longevity and sustainability.

Ownership of the forests has been an issue for many groups and individuals. The forest industry owns only 11 percent of hardwoods with many of North America's foresters working directly with the tree farmers and private citizens that own nearly three quarters of the hardwood forests. Because of the diversification of ownership, forestry management techniques change and make reforms annually making way for improved sustainability of hardwoods for generations to come.