Forest list archive: msg00009

[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: Sustainable Forest Management Roundtables



Dear Bret,

On Fri, 1 Dec 1995, Bret Diamond wrote:

> On 12/1/95, Nelson Wong writes:
>
> > The question here is not whether old-growth forests are a renewable
> > resource but whether timber by itself is a renewable resource. Secondly, if
>
> While I can appreciate the fact that this may not be an issue for you, it
> is most certainly an issue for many of us here in the states, and is
> certainly an issue for me personally when a mere 50 miles from my house
> healthy, green, 600 and 700 year old trees are being cut under the
> auspices of "forest health" by reducing fire risk.  Now I admit that I'm
> not a forester, but I do know that when a fire burns through a forest, it
> is usually the smaller trees and the underbrush that burn, not the big
> trees with 10-14" cambiums.  The reason these healthy old giants are
> falling is because they're valuable, not because Boise Cascade et al. are
> concerned about "forest health."  Most people I know (including myself as
> I'm a carpenter when I'm not in school) firmly beleive is sustainable
> wood products.  What is a constant rallying point for us "eco-terrorists"
> is the destruction of the last 5% or so of our native forests *that are
> on public lands*  Why the industry doesn't realize this, and back off,
> I'll never understand.  I guess it's called greed.
>
I don't think names-calling will help this discussion very much. Stick to
the subject matter at hand. And I don't care what you call yourself,
eco-terrorist or otherwise. If you want to conduct a meaningful
discussion, and using this list as a forum. I am willing to listen.

Another thing, is that there is no mention of the party/parties cutting
down these trees. Is it city hall or the forest department ? Or is it a
logging company ? I am not an American, I don't know who or what is Boise
Cascade et al. Moreover, the world is not divided into, one, trees
lovers, and two, trees haters.

> > step further, what about plastics eg. PVCs for that matter. Are metals
> > and plastics bio-degradeble ? Are they environmental friendly ? Are metal
> > ores renewable and sustainable ? If not, which would one prefers to use ?
> > Metals and plastics, or, timber ? Answers please.
>
> No, most metals and plastics can be recycled and thus reused.  Does the
> timber industry make any effort to recycle wood products (other than
> paper)?

Yes, the same question applies to metals and plastics. How much of it is
recycled ? It would be helpful if someone on the list could provide some
statistics concerning this question of recycling.

> As a contracter, it is very frustrating to fill a 20 yd dumpster
> with perfectly good 2x4's etc. that can't be reused ala building codes
> that don't permit it.

Building Codes are created to protect lives and to maintain a
professional level of construction engineering. They were never created to
make anyone 'feel good'. Waste is not confined to timbers alone.

> The industry has consistatly fought efforts to rewrite the building
> codes to allow for the use of "used lumber."
>

Is this true ? Can anyone please verify this statement ?

> After all, they only profit on virgin materials.
>

Do Mid-Density Fibre Boards, Cement Bonded Particle Boards, Wood Wool
Cement Boards, etc. exist in USA ? Answers please.

> Bret Diamond
> diam9018@tao.sosc.osshe.edu
> Oregon, USA
>
With best regards.

Nelson Wong
Malaysian Timber Council



References:

[Metla] [Main Index] [Thread Index]

Mail converted by MHonArc 1.1.0