1. Isn’t the forest products industry responsible for deforestation?

Deforestation is a serious global concern, but it’s important to distinguish between unsustainable deforestation and responsibly managed timber harvesting. The two are not the same. In the United States, timberland is widely managed using practices intended to support continued regeneration and long-term productivity. For example, the USDA Forest Service’s National Report on Sustainable Forests (2020) notes that: “Net growth (i.e., growth minus mortality) of the Nation’s timberland is about double annual removals.”(McGinley et al., 2023, p. 25) US Forest Service In other words, U.S. timberland growth exceeds the volume removed each year due to harvesting and mortality, indicating that timber resources are generally managed for sustained use. We also source much of our wood from Canada and Europe, where forest management systems and replanting requirements are well established. In the European Union, regulatory frameworks such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) strengthen due diligence expectations in forest-risk supply chains and are designed to reduce deforestation-linked sourcing. Debevoise Most of our products are made from American, Canadian, or European timber. When wood is sourced outside those regions, we consult additional frameworks—such as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)—to determine whether a species may be protected or at risk in its country of origin. CITES Our goal is to make product offerings that align with responsible use of natural resources and long-term availability of the species we rely on.

2. How do you make material decisions?

Osborne Wood Products strives to offer a wide selection of wood species traditionally used in furniture and cabinetmaking in the United States and familiar to U.S. woodworkers. Our material decisions are informed by: Species availability and suitability for woodworkingCommon use in residential woodworking and designResponsible sourcing considerations and supplier practicesConservation and risk screening for species sourced internationally (including tools such as CITES) CITES We aim to balance the traditions of fine woodworking with responsible sourcing practices that support the long-term sustainability of the forest products industry.

3. Aren’t alternate materials better for the environment?

Not always. Many alternative materials—such as steel, aluminum, concrete, and glass—require energy-intensive manufacturing processes and can carry higher emissions depending on how they are produced and transported. Wood has several environmental benefits: Wood stores carbon As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon in their trunks and branches. If trees die and decompose, much of that carbon returns to the atmosphere. However, when trees are responsibly harvested and used in durable products, much of that carbon remains stored for the lifetime of the product. Wood generally requires less energy to produce According to the Real American Hardwood Coalition, wood products make up 47% of industrial raw materials manufactured in the U.S., but consume only 4% of the energy required to manufacture those materials. realamericanhardwood.com Equivalent volumes of cement, glass, steel, or aluminum typically require significantly more energy to manufacture.

4. Do you have FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification or a similar certification with a different third-party?

Some commercial projects require specific third-party certifications (such as FSC® or similar programs). Our market is primarily residential, and many residential customers are not willing to pay the price premium associated with certification-driven supply chains. For that reason, we do not generally pursue certification programs, but we remain committed to making responsible sourcing choices and using credible frameworks to inform our wood offerings.

Wood Sourcing

Osborne Wood Products, Inc. is proud to be part of the forest products industry. As a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality decorative wood components, we are committed to responsible wood use and sourcing.

To us, responsible wood use means making decisions that support the long-term health and availability of the forests that sustain us—while still providing the materials woodworkers rely on for quality, durability, and beauty.

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about wood and sustainability.