Growing With the Grain: Sustainable Wood Choices for Your Home

Wood is a prized material for home goods, furniture and décor because it is versatile, durable and gorgeous. Finely crafted wooded pieces can be handed down through generations, and are full of natural irregularities that enhance their finishes.

Like all of our natural resources, timber supplies have been stretched thin, and it is more important than ever to support sustainably harvested and renewable sources. Luckily, there are many to choose from! Here are some stunning, eco-friendly choices options to consider:

Mango

The mango tree bears fruit for about 40 years, and is then cut down by farmers to make room for new seedlings. Many times, local artisans use the wood of these felled trees to carve one-of-a-kind pieces.

Mango wood has a diverse range of color in its grains, revealed best by carving and cutting pieces by hand. And, because mango is the fastest growing hard wood used for furniture production, it is often less costly than other options. The sale of these goods supports the local economies they come from and the sustainable production of the mango fruit.

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Mango Salad Bowl [1] handmade in Thailand

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Mango Serving Tray [2] handmade in Thailand

Acacia

The acacia tree, native to Asia, is prized for its rich brown and gold lumber. Local artisans used the wood of the acacia trees to hand carve unique products, as it also has a diverse range of colors in its grains. The acacia family provides a fast-growing renewable wood source.

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Acacia Cheese Grater [3] Handmade in China

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  Acacia Bowl Set [4] Handmade in Thailand

Teak

So often logging practices are incredibly harmful to the local ecology, disrupting and loosening soil, altering flooding patterns and decreasing diversity of habitat. However, as the demand for teak wood rises, so does the occurance of sustainably managed plantation teak.

The teak wood used in manufacturing often becomes available as a result of the thinning process necessary to maintain the health of the teak plantation. The use of reclaimed wood decreases the pressure on virgin forests.

 The natural beauty of teak is showcased by its distinct knots and silvery grain. These Teak Picture Frames [5] are handmade in Thailand.

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Teak is known for gaining luster and depth with use, and for its water resistent properties, making it a natural choice for furniture. This Teak Dining Room Table [6] was ethically produced in Indonesia.

Root Wood

Often times, tree stumps are left behind by logging operations, the removal of which allows faster re-growth of newly planted seelings. This provides another source of reclaimed wood that can be transformed into unique pieces. Root wood items showcase the wild grain patterns and natural shapes of their root stock.

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Tree Root Serving Platter [7] handmade in China

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Tree Root Salad Set [8] handmade in China

Forest Stewardship Coucil Certified

Though some varieties of trees are naturally more renewable than others, any forest can be managed sustainably to produce lumber in an environmentally responsible way. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. FSC certified products assure customers that they come from forests that meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

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This FSC certified hickory Bread Box [9] is made by skilled woodworkers in Vermont.

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This FSC certified Maple Log Rack [10]is made by skilled woodworkers in Vermont.