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Whitethorn
Hardwoods recognizes that the future of the local
wood products industry, and the employment it provides, is
closely dependent on the sustainability of forest management practices
and full utilization of harvested resources. By offering processing
services for local hardwoods, Whitethorn is helping to maximize
community benefits and sustainable employment opportunities from
local forests, and providing incentives for local landowners to
maintain a diversity of species in their forest management planning.
Although not all hardwoods processed at Whitethorn Hardwoods are
certified, Whitethorn is working closely with local forest managers
to fully utilize the available hardwood resource.
A coastal redwood situated in rich bottom
land may grow more than two feet per year in height, Douglas
fir growing on a dry ridge top may grow only inches a year.
A harvest level sustainable in one location, may be unsustainable
in another location due to variations in stocking, climate,
soil, and previous harvesting practices. Therefore criteria
to determine the sustainability of specific forest management
practices reflect local conditions. Smartwood
works with regional representatives throughout North America
to establish effective and appropriate regional criteria.
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