Wood is the Word
The topic of wood seemed to be the most popular throughout our 2021 continuing-education events. The underlying message was that specifying wood is good for the environment, and it benefits the building and its occupants. Here’s a summary of why wood is the word used most these days.
Good news…we no longer need to save the trees. The sustainable forests throughout the world are managed responsibly. Often when trees are harvested, twice as many are planted. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t recycle, but it does mean that wood products can be specified without guilt.
Old trees should be cut down. When mature trees are not harvested and left to die in the forest and decay, the process of carbon sequestration is reversed, increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Using mature trees for building extends our ability to sequester carbon. Harvesting those mature trees allows us to plant young, rapid-carbon-absorbing trees that produce more oxygen.
Harvesting and manufacturing wood products uses the least amount of energy compared to other building products like concrete, steel, and glass.
