Part of the floor you walk on and the roof over your head, wood is an essential ingredient in any home. It is also crucial to the sustainability of the planet. Trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere, provide habitat for wildlife, prevent soil erosion and are an essential part of the water cycle. However, the loss of the world's forests to logging has escalated dramatically over the last century, and it is estimated that within a hundred years all the planet's natural forests will be gone.

This doesn't mean that eco-minded consumers need to jettison plans for beautiful hardwood floors or durable decks from their remodels. What it means is that sourcing the most sustainable wood for any wood-based home improvement project is more imperative than ever.

Read the full post here.