TYPES OF WOOD
Wood has been used in construction and gardens for generations, with the increasing ease of international trade there are now many more species of wood available on the market. These different varieties have their own positives and negatives depending on where they are form or what unique characteristics they have. When choosing what wood to use its important to consider all these factors that a species of wood has to truly understand if it is the most sustainable option for the task at hand.
This Page Covers:
OAK
Oak is a highly valued resource for its natural durability and its aesthetically pleasing design, making it desirable in garden design. Due to oaks long growing cycle it takes 150-200 years until the tree is mature enough to be felled. This long growing time makes replenishing the volume of oak being consumed nearly impossible. Though there have been some projects aiming to replenish oak stocks across Europe, in Sweden over 1,400 hectares of oak habitat were improved across 30 Natura 2000 sites (9).
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) oversee the certification of legal felling however, illegal timber including oak have been found in in FSC certified products on numerous occasions (8). Along with unsustainable practices like oak being replaced with a different species once felled which can cause severe disruption to the surrounding environment. So, the sustainability of FSC materials has to be questioned. At the beginning of 2023 the UK introduced unlimited fines and prison sentences for illegal felling, although this doesn’t directly stop illegal oak being imported in (10).
Another problem with oak consumption is that most UK gardens seem to be replaced within 20-30 years, be that through redesign or a new homeowner altering the garden. If a garden will be replaced in a short period of time, it may not be worth using longer-lasting materials that will not be able to live out their full potential, and a more sustainable, faster growing, and faster degrading wood may be applicable, such as a species of pine to help reduce waste and unnecessary felling.
Pros:
– Oak naturally contains a high level of tannin which is highly resistant to attack by insect or fungi, so needs less chemical treatment (1).
– A very durable hardwood that has a high level of water resistance due to its dense grain (1).
– Oak does not need to be kiln-dried, an advantage that means less energy is required in its creation (2).
– It is possible to get FSC certified Oak, which is more sustainable and reliable than non-certified woods (3).
– It can be sourced locally which would benefit the surrounding community but also means less distance has to be travelled compared to importing oak therefore reducing the potential emissions.
– To help support the government target of increasing tree and woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050 the first oak tree seed orchard has been planted in the UK. Its aim is to help produce a reliable source of acorns which can support the tree planting initiative as acorns can’t be stored (4).
Cons:
–Biodiversity loss- ancient oaks in the UK support the greatest diversity of life, up 2,300 species are supported by oak and 326 are dependent on it for survival (5).
– It is slow growing, potentially taking up to 150 years until it can be harvested (6).
–Oak isn’t being replenished at the same rate it is being consumed, research in north America has found that in areas with >1 million mature acres of white oak, seedling were absent on 75% of those acres (7).
–Across Europe previous oak forests are being replanted with monoculture forests. For example, in Germany they replaced a lot of natural oak forests with evergreen spruce and pine, which has huge effects on biodiversity as a single species of tree cant support a whole ecosystem (11).
–The species used in monocultures (e.g., Norwegian spruce in Germany) are usually not native so aren’t as responsive to the warmer drier conditions of central Europe that have been exacerbated by climate change causing widespread damage. Which can be seen when in 2018 300 million cubic meters of wood was damaged across Europe due to warm dry conditions and resulting pests (11).
–The illegal logging industry in Romania is worth $1 billion and accounts for as much as half of all logging that occurs in the country. Due to the organisation of the logging industry local wood depots accept all timber harvested from the area before being shipped on, logs origins are often lost straight away as they’re mixed at the depot. With Romania being a large exporter of wood to other countries in Europe, origins of the material often become untraceable (12).
–Certification is meant to be in place to regulate and ensure that the timber has been sourced sustainably, but due to complex supply chains and infrequent audits illegal timber makes its way into markets, with the WWF estimating that it accounts for 16-19% of the European Union’s wood imports (13).
–The FSC has constantly been criticised for allowing illegally logged timber into their certified products. A report by Earthsight found that FSC certified Ukrainian timber was being logged unsustainably and then sold onto the world largest furniture company IKEA (8).
– Depending on where the Oak is sourced, it may travel a large distance, increasing the energy consumption and CO2 emissions it takes to get to a garden. For example, in 2022 the USA were the top global exporters of oak generating $1.04 billion. The UK imported $221 million worth of oak the same year with the USA accounting for 25.6% of those imports (14).
–There are high costs to oak products especially finished good as the raw materials are often imported into a third-party country to be assembled before being shipped again once ready for sale. Driving up transportation costs as well as carbon emissions.
IPÉ
A tropical wood found in South America, Ipé is extremely strong and durable with the wood potentially lasting 50 years. It is also known for its colour, somewhat similar to mahogany and its uses as decking or fencing in garden design due to its natural resistance to rot, insects and weathering.
However, the wood isn’t very sustainable, the tree is slow growing and at low densities of around 7 trees per acre of forest. Making the forests targets for the valuable timber causing forests to be destroyed from over harvesting. Whilst FSC certification is possible in forests and plantations, there are concerns that certification in rainforests are not as strict as elsewhere in the world. Due to this, the sustainable management schemes for the forest may not be as effective as other places in the world. Because of its impacts on the world’s rainforests and the uncertainty behind its certification, Ipé should be avoided or gained from a recycled source.
Pros:
– The wood is very strong, and extremely durable along with its natural resistant to fungi and bugs, making it one of the best natural hardwoods. As well as being relatively low maintenance if treated properly Ipé can last up to 75 years (1).
– Ipé can be FSC and PEFC certified even though it’s quite rare. For example, the rainforest alliance has worked in Bolivia with community forestry operation to help maintain a sustainable management plan (2).
Cons:
– Whilst FSC does certify Ipé, there are concerns that the certification NGO is less strict in rainforest settings and more subjective than objective in practice, with claims that if the same rules of European FSC was utilised in the Amazon, no Amazonian companies would be allowed to extract wood (3).
– Transportation of Ipé from South America which it is grown, to the European market is extremely carbon emission intensive as it has to be flown or shipped over (2).
– Demand for Ipé is high and rising with Brazilian exports growing by 76% between the periods of 2010-2016 and 2017-2021. With the trees naturally growing at low densities, often the whole forest is cleared in order to fill the growing demand (4).
– Ipé is extremely slow growing, reaching a max diameter of 30-60cm by age 100, with the rate slowing down to 30cm per 200 years. This means when trees reach the desirable logging size of around 1.8-2m they are thousands of years old (5).
BALAU
A slow growing tropical tree genus native to Asia and the Pacific areas. Balau has been harvested for centuries and its colour can vary from a yellowish hue to dark red. It’s a good choice for gardens due to its durability and strength meaning it will last for a long time. However, like all tropical woods, transporting the woods from a rainforest to a garden requires a lot of energy and fuel, causing high carbon emissions. If not sourced from a third-party certification board, the sourcing of Balau can be illegal. FSC certification is possible, from plantations or the forest but it can be hard to find and not even guaranteed due to weak regulations.
Pros:
– Strong and durable wood which needs little maintenance as well as being resistant to weather and insects such as termites (1, 2).
– Less expensive than some of the other tropical woods of the same strength and quality, as well as having a larger supply to help maintain a lower price compared to other woods such as teak (1).
Cons:
– Balau is native to southeast Asia growing the tropical rainforest found there. This significantly increases the distance the wood has to travel to reach western markets such as Europe or America, driving up the carbon emission released during the production of Balau.
– Sourcing can be an issue, as even in protected forests timber is still being harvest along with little certification it makes it hard to truly source sustainably produced Balau (3).
– High demand weak regulations have led to over exploitation of forests, such as 56% of tropical rainforest in Kalimantan, Borneo being destroyed and replaced with palm oil production (3).
– Number of species of Balau is falling and having a large effect on local habitats in southeast Asian tropical rainforests which are extremely important for biodiversity. With 148 out of 196 species being on the IUCN red list for endangered species (4).
TEAK
A tropical tree native to southern Asia, the wood is renowned for its appearance, varying from a golden dark brown to a yellowish white. It is also highly desirable for its hardwood properties and durability meaning it’s a wood suited to use in garden design.
However, Teak has and is still being over harvested due to the high demand for this attractive tropical wood. Some countries have banned the export of raw timber like Myanmar to attempt to reduce deforestation rates, unfortunately logging often continues and operates illegally (1). Importing Teak also uses a lot of energy and creates high carbon emissions for the manufacturing and transportation of the wood which will contribute to enhanced climate change. Along with this, Teak can be seen as an invasive species when used in plantations, as they use a lot of water but also take the best agricultural land. Certification is possible through organisations like the FSC which can provide good sustainable management plans for harvesting Teak.
Pros:
– Teak is close grained, high in minerals and natural oils which makes it a strong and durable wood. Because of these features is naturally resistant to decay, wood rot, and other organisms, along with weathering (2).
– Long-lasting and can be left outside for decades with little to no maintenance, meaning it will not have to be replaced for a long time. However, over time teak will weather into a silvery-grey colour if not protected at all (2, 3).
– It is possible to obtain FSC certified Teak. From these sources, the wood will do less damage to the world and be more sustainable.
Cons:
– Teak can be expensive due to its durability but also to get certified sustainable wood this can also raise the price due to the regulations on teak forests (4).
– Myanmar has banned the logging of Teak to protect its forests, but that doesn’t stop illegal logging, as this meets the demand of the market. The EIA predict that by 2035 all of Myanmar’s forests will be destroyed if deforestation continues at the current rate (5).
– Countries like the US, have placed sanctions on teak imports from Myanmar to prevent illegally logged goods entering the US, but this hasn’t stopped the trade in illegal teak (1).
– Teak is planted in plantations and other places in 36 countries; however, it is an invasive species, taking water but also the best agricultural land. Often teak plantations are not for domestic use at all but for exports, such as Ecuador which ships 95% of all teak produced to India (6).
– The whole production process of harvesting and then transporting teak is carbon intensive. Teak is often kiln dried before being taken to market so combined with the emissions from transporting the timber around the world is significantly contributing to environmental degradation (7).
EUCALYPTUS
Fast-growing in nature, Eucalyptus is native to Australia, but can now be found all over the world. Its wood can vary in colour, from a cream to a reddish-brown hue. It’s fairly durable but does require additional treatment and sealing to improve its durability and resistance to moisture. Because it grows at a fast rate its better a providing a sustainable supply of timber to meet future demand.
However, Eucalyptus may not be environmentally sustainable, as the trees can soak up a lot of water which is a significant problem where water is a scare resource. The transporting of the wood can also generate large carbon emissions particularly if the wood has to travel long distances (e.g., from Australia to Europe). Sourcing Eucalyptus from third-party certifiers such as the FSC can ensure a more sustainable forest and plantation management strategy and ensures the wood used in the garden is more environmentally friendly.
Pros:
– Eucalyptus is a fairly durable wood that can last up to 25 years if treated right, as its high oil content helps to protect it against moisture (1).
– It is a fast-growing wood at around 1-2 meters per year, then 10-20 years to reach maturity, meaning that after it is harvested it doesn’t take very long for the stocks to be replenished which is great for plantations (2).
– It is possible to obtain FSC-certified Eucalyptus wood, meaning it was grown in line with the FSCs forest management plans, most likely on a plantation (3).
– Eucalyptus is an aesthetically pleasing wood that can darken in colour to a silvery patina with age as well as having a light grain pattern which makes it smooth to the touch (4).
Cons:
– Eucalyptus is very water intensive with each tree consuming 90 Liters a day, and in some cases lowering the water table by 100m which is a significant problem in water scare areas (5).
– Plantations of Eucalyptus trees are though to be contributing to the severe wildfires that are seen all year around at the moment. This is because they are very flammable trees and when planted in large monoculture forests its very easy for fires to get out of hand and destroy the surrounding local area (6).
– In areas such as the UK eucalyptus isn’t the most suitable as it doesn’t cope well in freezing cold conditions and over time the wood can develop cracks if not sealed correctly or left unprotected outside (1, 4).
– Eucalyptus will most likely need to be imported in, which means there will be an energy cost to get it into the UK. The origin of the wood will impact how much energy was needed to obtain the wood.
SAPELE
A hardwood that is that is native to tropical west Africa and of the same genus as mahogany. Its known for its strength and golden to dark reddish brown colouring along with varying grain patterns such as ribbon, wavy, quilted and pommele. It has become more popular as mahogany has become harder to obtain. However, a range of factors play into it not being one of the most sustainable woods to use. For example, transporting the material for tropical location can cause high carbon emissions; additionally, sapele is now classified as a vulnerable species and is on the IUCN’s red list.
Pros:
– Sapele is very durable meaning it can be used for outdoor purposes, even without chemical treatment, resulting in it being very easy to maintain (1).
– It can be used in areas that are in constant contact with the water as it has a high natural resistance to water , as well as decomposition and fire (2).
– Sapele can be FSC certified, being sourced from more environmentally sustainable areas and ensuring the species continues into the future (3).
Cons:
– Sapele is classified as a vulnerable species by the IUNC due to there has been a decline in the population by 20% over the last three generations. This is because over overexploitation of sapele sources and the decline in its natural range (4).
– There are problems with illegal logging due to it being a highly sort after wood. This can lead to large scale organised crime like what can be seen in the Central African Republic. Unless third-party certified, the wood may be obtained in a similar manner (5).
– Sapele trees are native to west Africa and are grown in tropical climates around the world today. This means the wood has to be transported long distances increasing the carbon footprint of the material compared to using a wood found locally (4).
ACACIA
An Australian native tree, acacia can now be found all over the world, especially in plantations. Quick growing in nature, its colour can range from a light brown to a dark red. The wood is highly durable and resistant to fungus and water. The tree is fast growing taking 10 to 20 years to mature, making it a good tree to harvest quickly and retain a sustainable supply for the future. Because it grows quickly it works well in plantations as it can be harvested frequently to generate profits. Due to it being native to Australia it is used to a very dry climate making it need less water than other fast-growing woods, meaning its less water. These features of Acacia mean that it’s a fairly sustainable wood due to the limited resources it needs to grow third party certifications also help to ensure the sustainability of its production. However, Acacia will need to be imported in, requiring fuel and energy, which can emit a lot of CO2 into the atmosphere. Along with this, the trees can become the dominant species in an area, which can damage the biodiversity of an area.
Pros:
–It is possible to obtain FSC-certified Acacia wood, which is a lot more sustainable than noncertified woods.
– A highly durable wood, Acacia is naturally fungus and water-resistant (1).
– As it is fast growing it can be harvest quickly for profit, Acacia plantations in Myanmar are being used to provide income to local communities but as well as supporting reforestation of previously cleared areas with native, slower growing trees (2).
– It is also believed that Acacia needs less water than other faster-growing trees, like Eucalyptus making it less water intensive to farm, particularly in places with severe water scarcity (2).
Cons:
–Acacia does not grow locally within the UK so has to be imported in, this can contribute to high carbon emission particularly if the wood was grown a long distance away like in Australia for example.
– It can be seen as an invasive species, as it will quickly become dominant in a new ecosystem this can disrupt the balance of an environment potentially causing a decline in biodiversity (3, 4).
PINE:
The term Pine refers to a large genus pool, where many different species are all referred to as Pine. It is native to the northern hemisphere, often pale yellow in colour and a somewhat durable wood. It is fast growing in nature meaning it can be harvested quickly, providing profits for plantation and forest owners but also ensuring there is a sustainable supply of timber to meet the demand in the future.
Along with this, Pine can be grown and sourced from the UK, which reduces its number of emissions used in the production and transportation process compared to other timber from abroad. Majority of the Pine sourced from the UK is certified by the FSC or by other third-party organizations. But whilst there are many benefits of Pine for use in gardens, to prevent early decay the wood needs to be treated and this can be a complex issue. Different companies and manufacturers use varying chemical and kiln drying techniques. These treatment processes can damage the environment through chemical leaching or the use of fossil fuels in heating kilns. The sustainability of Pine is, therefore, hard to determine as the processes used in its creation can range in their environmental impact between companies.
Pros:
– Whilst there are many different kinds, Pine woods tends to be an affordable option (1).
– A fast-growing tree, growing at 2-3 feet annually, then maturing in 20 years meaning it can be replaced quickly and is more sustainable than slower-growing woods (2).
– Most Pine in the UK is FSC certified, meaning that the plantations/ forests have been assessed and reach certain sustainability criteria.
– The EU phased out and prohibited the use of CCA (chromate copper arsenate) for treating wood, ensuring woods in the UK will not have these chemicals, other, less toxic chemicals are used in the EU (3).
– It can be locally sourced in the UK, reducing the amount of energy and CO2 used to transport the wood.
Cons:
– Pine woods need to be treated, a process that is hard to find data on, pressure is used to embody chemicals into the wood, ensuring it resists weathering and pests etc. However, sometimes these chemicals can leak, causing issues for the rest of your garden (4).
– Sourcing Pine can be difficult as it may have been illegally logged, or sourced from ancient forests in Finland or Norway (5).
– Disposal for Pine that has been treated is different than other woods as it cannot be burned, the chemicals in the wood will be released into the air being hazardous to the environment (6).
– The wood being treated will use energy, however, the exactly how much is unclear. As different companies use different techniques for drying and pressure treating, some use kiln drying and other use renewable energy which effects how sustainable the wood can be.
– The production and manufacturing process can be very complex due to the variety of species, different methods of treatment and confusing supply chains, meaning its hard to guarantee the timber is truly sustainable.
DOUGLAS-FIR
Part of the pine family, it is native to North America but planted and used in Europe. Its natural colour is brown with hints of red or yellow. A fairly durable wood, and part of the Pine family due to its fast-growing rate it is a popular choice for plantations as it can be harvested quickly to provide profits as well as ensuring a supply of timber to meet the future demand. Many plantations can be found across the UK and Europe meaning the wood can be sourced more locally rather than importing from abroad, therefore reducing the emissions generated. Certification is possible but complex supply chains can affect the level of sustainable timber products have. However, like Pine, it can be treated which may have environmental issues. Locally sourced Cedar wood can be seen as an alternative to Pine woods.
Pros:
– Douglas-fir is a fairly durable softwood which isn’t too expensive compared to hard wood timber (1).
– Plantations exist in the UK and Europe, and are routinely replenished helping maintain sustainability, the local sourcing will also reduce travel impacts on the environment (2).
– Its resistance to pests and drought may also be useful for the future. As the climate becomes hotter, Douglas-fir could be more adaptable to the changing conditions whereas other species of trees could perish as the drier and hotter climate is too harsh (3).
– They can grow around 80 feet tall with a 10 year growth height of between 11-12 feet (4).
– Douglas-fir can be FSC certified (5).
Cons:
– It can be imported from further afield than Europe which will add to the energy and fuel used to obtain the timber making it less sustainable.
– Sources that are not certified and outside of Europe may be less reliable in terms of sustainability, such as in North America there as less strict regulations which allow destructive logging of their coastal temperate rainforests (5).
– Plantations of Pine (Douglas-Fir) can lead to the damage of the biodiversity of an areas due to monoculture of one particular species of trees (2).
SPRUCE
Spruce is often an umbrella term for many species of tree that grow in temperate and boreal forests throughout Europe and North America. They are an evergreen trees which can grow to be between 20-60 meters tall and depending on the species can live up to 1,000 years old. Spruce trees can be grown in the UK and are common plantation trees meaning its easier to fine more locally sourced spruce, reducing the emissions from importing timber. The wood can also be certified, helping to ensure its sustainable management and production. Spruce wood can be sustainable, however due to it being a weak wood it needs to be treated for garden purposes to resist decay by weathering. This can be unsustainable due to the chemical and energy intensive process needed to treat the wood.
Pros:
– A widely available wood that is less expensive than most hardwoods and soft woods (1).
– Fast growing tree at a rate of 20 to 30 cm per year (1).
– Sitka Spruce plantations are common in the UK, making up to 50% of all commercial plantations. As it can be harvested locally, the reduction of the energy and fuel used to transport it can be a benefit (2).
– Spruce can be FSC certified, being sourced from more sustainable and environmentally friendly places.
Cons:
– Much like Pine wood, Spruce needs to be treated to reduce decay for outdoor usage. However, the treatment process can be energy intensive and potentially environmentally damaging depending on what methods are used (3).
– Without treatment spruce can only last 12 to18 months outside before it decays (4).
– Spruce is quite a weak wood prone to pests and diseases, hence the need for treatment (5).
CEDAR
A tree native to mountainous regions from North America to Asia, cedar is known for its strong properties. There are many species of cedar, but western red is commonly used for gardening purposes.
Western Red Cedar is grown in the UK and is a durable wood. Sourcing from the UK reduces the transport needed and lower CO2 emissions. The wood can also be certified, helping to ensure its sustainable management. However, cedar timber imported from abroad may be a less sustainable option then timber sourced from within the UK as its had to travel a further distance. When it comes to the lifespan of a wood, many gardens don’t actually need the long durability cedar possesses as most UK gardens seem to be replaced within 20-30 years, be that through redesign or a new homeowner altering the garden. Depending in the intended use it may be more sustainable to use a faster growing, faster degrading wood instead.
Pros:
– Whilst native to areas outside of the UK, the species was introduced to Britain, planted in the UK for timber. British red cedar wood will be locally sourced and reduce emissions in terms of transport (1).
– The wood is durable and naturally resistant to fungi, due to natural preservative called thujaplicins (1, 6).
– Ceder woods can be certified by the FSC, which promotes the sustainable management of plantations as well as the manufacturing of goods. This is important as cedar is often used in large scale construction projects (2, 3).
– The wood is an affordable option compared to other types of exotic hardwood (4).
Cons:
– Some species of Cedar are endangered, such as Cedrela fissilis which is found in central and south American, and can be a part of illegal logging schemes (5).
– It can be easily dented or scratched as it is a relative soft wood (6).
– As Cedar is usually imported, these imports will have more impact on the environment due to the amount they will travel.
– Illegal logging is a concern as it is a valuable wood for export, Cedar from non-certified sources may be illegally source causing damage to habitats as well as threating indigenous cultures (7, 8).
COMPOSITE WOOD
Composite woods are a hybrid of wood fibres, plastics, and binding agents. Depending on the compositions of the wood made, the outcome can rival or be stronger than natural woods.
Wood-plastic composite woods last longer than natural woods, which reduces the number of times a decking or furniture will need to be replaced, resulting in less material being consumed in the long run. Composites also have the benefit of being able to be made from recycled or waste wood, turning waste products into long-lasting materials. In terms of transportation, composites are usually locally sourced, reducing potential CO2 emissions of importing another wood from abroad. Despite its perks, composite cannot be recycled, and will take an extremely long time to decompose. There are also extra environmental costs in the fact the product is man-made and will need further energy to produce. Composite may take pressure off of forests and recycle materials, but it will stay in landfills for a lot longer than natural materials, and with most gardens being replaced every decade or so, the longevity of composite may be wasted and not needed. Whilst woods will not last as long as Composite, alternate materials can include Oak or Cedar, Ipé does last an incredible amount of time, (but of course, have its own issues).
Pros:
– Composite wood can last longer than many natural woods as its resistant to severe weather conditions like, fading from the sun, mould from wet or expanding and contacting with changing temperatures (1).
– Little maintenance is needed for the material compared to a wood such as pine (1).
– It can use recycled wood and plastic in its creation (2).
– It is man-made so it can be tailored to order, in terms of size, design and colour.
– Because it is a hybrid, it can be made from smaller trees, unconventional ones too. This relieves pressure on normal woods used in timber (3).
– In many cases, post-production waste products, like sawdust, can be used in the creation of the material, recycling potential waste products (4).
– It can usually be locally sourced, so less energy and fuels are used to transport it.
– Composite can be FSC certified, meaning the wood used has been sustainably sourced.
Cons:
– As it is a hybrid, the material cannot be recycled (4).
– Plastics are used in the creation which are made from non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels, which cause damage in their extraction but also decompose very slowly (4).
– There are potential issues with heat and fire, plastics can have varying melting points and flame retardants have to be used to reduce the materials high flammability (5).
– Lower-priced composites may have issues with chemical leaks (6).
– Due to the man-made nature of the material there would be an increase in carbon emission from its production as the materials are melted and combined to create the composite wood (2).
BAMBOO
Whilst not an actual wood, bamboo is a sturdy and strong plant in the grass family. There are many species of bamboo, found growing in climates from tropical to temperate, most bamboo species can be found in East and Southeast Asia.
A fast-growing grass, the material can be harvested quickly with no use of fertiliser, as bamboo can grow in poor-quality soils. This means it can be harvested sustainably and can take pressure off of forest and plantation harvesting. Bamboo also absorbs a lot of CO2 and despite being grass, it can be FSC certified. Majority of bamboo is imported from abroad causing concerns with the transportation of the material into the UK and the carbon emissions generated in this process. Data regarding the amount of bamboo harvested and how it is harvested is scarce, and this may be unsustainable depending on the scale. Therefore, certified Bamboo is most likely to be sustainably managed.
Pros:
– It is a light but very strong material, with a higher compressive strength than concrete and a tensile strength that challenges steel (1).
– It is a fast-growing grass with some species growing up to 1m a day meaning it can be harvested quickly (2).
– Bamboo as a crop can be very sustainable, growing quickly and not needing fertilisers. The roots regenerate, meaning they can grow back swiftly and do not need to be replanted (3).
– As bamboo is fast growing it can have a range of benefits such as stabilizing degrade land from deforestation or providing a cleaner fuel source to burn in remote communities (4).
– Bamboo can grow in less desirable areas and soil types, potentially even abandoned land (5).
– Despite not being a wood, it is possible to obtain FSC-certified bamboo. From this source, bamboo can be trusted to be sustainably produced (6).
– Bamboo can emit 35% more oxygen than trees. Whilst also absorbing a lot of CO2, meaning it can be very good in the fight against climate change (2).
Cons:
– The type of bamboo needed grows in hotter climates, meaning that it will need to be shipped to the UK. Depending on the method used, e.g. Air freight or shipping will affect how much damage to the environment occurs.
– It is unknown the extent bamboo is utilised, just because it can be sustainable, doesn’t mean it always is, we need to ensure there are management schemes in place to maintain sustainability (5).
– Forests can be damaged to obtain bamboo, either natural ones being stripped of bamboo or monoculture plantations taking over natural areas reducing biodiversity (7).
– Whilst bamboo does not need fertilisers, some farmers are using them to maximise the yield which can lead to soil degradation and nutrients been leach out into water sources (8).