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When exploring sustainable forest management, one method which crops up time and time again is selective logging. It is one of the most common methods of responsible forest management, especially in natural forests, and a staple for organisations such as the PEFC and FSC. But what actually is sustainable logging? We have everything you need to know in this guide.

What Is Selective Logging?

Selective logging is a method of forest management which involves only harvesting certain trees from natural woodlands or rainforests. These tend to be the largest or oldest trees (though usually not veteran trees, as these can provide crucial support for the wider ecosystem), leaving the rest to grow naturally. You might also hear selective logging under the umbrella of reduced impact logging (RIL).

The opposite of selective logging is clear-cutting, which strips vast areas of all their trees, leaving patches of the land completely bare. If you have ever seen images of brown, dusty land where forests once stood, this is clear-cutting.

What Is Reduced Impact Logging?

When we talk about RIL, we are talking about the wider umbrella of sustainable forestry techniques. This includes selective logging, along with a lot of other eco-friendly strategies which aim to maintain the environment without stopping timber production, such as:

  • Pre-harvest mapping
  • Minimising road construction
  • Reducing CO₂ emissions

While selective logging only applies to the process of felling the timber, RIL continues throughout the entire timber production and manufacturing journey.

Why Is Selective Logging Important?

Selective logging is a staple of sustainable hardwood forestry, bringing a wide range of benefits when compared to clear-cutting. These include:

  • Biodiversity preservation: A wider variety of trees throughout the forest maintains a more diverse ecosystem, maintaining the land’s ability to support a variety of plant species and wildlife.
  • Habitat protection: Wildlife habitats are less disturbed compared to clear-cutting, causing less distress and harm to the animals living in the woodland.
  • Soil conservation: By retaining more vegetation cover and the natural look of the forest, selective logging reduces soil erosion and nutrient loss for healthier soil.
  • Long-term timber production: The younger trees are able to keep growing and maturing, while felled trees are replenished, creating a more continuous cycle for long-term timber production.
  • Carbon storage: By not removing all trees from the woodland, the forest is still able to sequester carbon and help reduce global carbon emissions. When paired with planting new trees, it is a far better way to maintain the ‘earth’s lungs’ while still producing timber.
  • Flood protection: Trees play a vital role in absorbing water and preventing floods, and by ensuring there are enough roots left to soak up the rain, local communities are kept safer from potential flooding.

How Can You Support Selective Logging?

Selective logging is a wonderful alternative to unsustainable logging methods, providing a good balance between maintaining timber production and protecting the world’s natural forests. This is applied to both temperate forests, where our oak beams and sleepers come from, as well as tropical forests, where ekki fenders and Iroko decking are sourced. So, how can you support this sustainable practice?

One way is to choose timber sourced from responsibly managed woodlands, where practices such as selective logging and RIL are commonplace. This includes FSC-certified timber products available from EcoChoice.

From timber decking to cladding, get in touch with our team to place your sustainable timber order.

Sustainable logging

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Our timber experts have years of experience and will be able to match the perfect species to your project, as well as provide a quote for sustainable timber at highly competitive prices.

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

Is your timber FSC-certified?

Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

Where does EcoChoice deliver to?

EcoChoice delivers to construction sites, warehouses and homes across the UK, as long as there’s access and unloading for our trucks.

What are the best timber species for exterior use?

There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

What’s the best timber for internal cladding?

Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

What wood machining services do you offer?

We can offer planing, sawing, drilling and profiling of rough-sawn wood to any profile you require: from handrails to large port fenders.

Can you supply pre-drilled timber?

Yes, we will be happy to provide pre-drilled timber which is tailored to your needs for quick installation, thus saving you valuable time on site.

What cladding profiles do you supply?

We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

Does timber change colour?

Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

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Marinella Li

Always helpful! One of our valued TDCA DeckMark and CladMark accredited supplier members which means their quality procedures are routinely audited and stand up to scrutiny giving you extra peace of mind.

5

Janet Sycamore

Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

5

Tim Saunders

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

5

Emma Hurrell

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

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Always reliable and quality products, easy to deal with company.

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  • 6 years ago

Always reliable and quality products, easy to deal with company.

Stone Zone

  • 9 years ago

Experts in Timber, Nationwide delivery

Joe Middleton

  • 6 years ago

Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

Tim Saunders

  • 9 years ago

Great service, quality products and very easy to deal with. Thank you.

Malcolm Coury

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