FEATURES
Timber from sustainable forests and plantations all over the world are available in South Africa .
CHELSEA BOCK
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systems , water and wildlife on the long term . Wood from unsustainable sources is cut without any long-term view of the impact on the environment and often involves human rights abuses , eradicating endangered species by destroying their habitats and threats to indigenous tribes . Only about 8 % of the world ’ s forests are protected , and the world is fast losing its green lungs where forests soak up carbon , which in turn slows down climate change .
Forests in the European Union are protected by legal measures to ensure more trees are planted than cut , by placing a minimum requirement on replacing harvested trees and limiting annual harvests .
Harcourt-Wood says that there are many sustainable timber choices available in South Africa , including :
• Timber from South African plantations , like pine and saligna , as well as invaders such as blackwood .
• Timber from Europe and the US because the forest resource tends to be well-managed , with trees often only harvested once in a generation .
“ With American and European species there should be practically no concern for the average consumer . Tropical
" South Africa is very fortunate to have access to a wide range of species ."
– Seamus Harcourt-Wood of Rare Woods SA .
forests can be more challenging , but if you buy wood from West Africa or South America though a European or USbased supplier , as we do , you can be assured of certain standards in terms of responsible forest management . These companies have to comply with either the EU Timber Regulations or the US Lacey Act , both of which set high standards for timber legality , traceability and sustainable harvesting .
“ With all imported timbers , it is essential that we help local communities to recognise and benefit from the value in their local timber resources . If that value is not shared and managed in a sustainable manner , those forests will
See more on page 52
50 APRIL / MAY 2018 //