Buy Your Lumber from Local Woodlots
Considering the price of gasoline, it makes sense to buy things that are locally produced. This applies to farm products, of course, but it also applies to lumber for building and wood products. There are many reasons to buy lumber grown in local woodlots and milled locally. The first to come to mind is the savings in fuel consumption and air pollution when the trucks hauling the logs and/or the milled lumber don’t have to travel so far.
Oddly, because of the buying power of the “big box” stores, sometimes the locally milled lumber is not the best bargain, but in the long run, it is better for the local economy. When buying local, you support the loggers and sawmills that live and operate nearby, which puts meals on their tables and makes for a friendly community.
Another reason not to transport logs or lumber over long distances is that it can spread insects and diseases that attack and kill trees. Locally milled wood doesn’t bring any new critters into the area, while imported lumber can.
Some tree service companies are equipped to mill trees into lumber. What this means is that you can use the wood from your own tree if you have to have it removed for some reason. This procedure is environmentally sound, and gives you a way to retain your memories of the tree. Imagine beautiful woodwork or cabinetry in your own home that is built from a favorite old tree from your yard!
When using locally produced lumber, you can research and choose the exact type of wood you would like to use. For instance, the wood near the heart of an older hardwood tree is more durable and rot-resistant than younger wood. Also, different trees have long been used for different purposes. For instance, yellow poplar makes good siding because it is naturally insect resistant and can be painted.
Some woods hold nails and screws well over a long time, while others don’t. This can make a big difference when building an unheated shed in an area where freezing will take place. For instance, walnut and hard maple hold nails well. Among the softwoods that can be bought from local lumbermills, red cedar is often used for building rustic furniture.
If you are fortunate enough to have your own woodlot, you can hire a woodcutter with a portable sawmill to come to your woods and mill your trees into the types of lumber you need. Otherwise, check you local directory for information about local woodlots and locally milled lumber in your area.
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