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.
Pros
Cons
- 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.
- Whilst some species of cedar are endanger, the western red cedar in Britain is not.
- The wood is durable and naturally resistant to fungi, due to natural preservatives.
- Cedar woods can be found FSC certified.
- The wood is usually reasonably priced.
- Imported red cedar tends to be more durable than locally sourced, but not by too much. Imports will also have more impact on the environment due to the amount they will travel.
- Cedar imported from non-certified sources and from abroad may have further environmental impacts, threatening habitats along with indigenous cultures.
Acacia
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.
Pros
Cons
- It is possible to obtain FSC certified Acacia wood, which is a lot more sustainable than non certified woods. (ref)
- A highly durable wood, Acacia is naturally fungus and water resistant. (ref)
- Acacia can be seen to be doing good in the world, an example being seen in Myanmar, Acacia grows fast, and can be harvested quickly for a profit, meaning they are great for plantations while reforestation is able to focus on native, slower growing trees. (ref)
- It is also believed that Acacia needs less water than other faster growing trees, like Eucalyptus. (ref)
- Acacia does not grow locally, and will therefore need to be imported in, adding potential environmental impacts, like fossil fuel consumption, from its import.
- It can be seen as an invasive species, as it will quickly become dominant in a new ecosystem. (ref)
Acacia Summary
The wood is highly durable and resistant to fungus and water resistant. The tree is fast growing in nature which means it can be harvested quickly, providing profits for plantation but also ensuring there is a sustainable supply of timber to meet the demand in the future, third party certifications also helping to ensure sustainability. The wood also needs less water than other fast growing woods, improving its sustainability as it uses less of a limited source. 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. If looking for an alternate to certified Acacia wood, Cedar or Douglas-fir may be viable substitutes.
