The MFMA was established in 1897 as the authoritative source for the milling of hard maple, birch and beech flooring. The association members are highly aware of how important sustainable yield forestry practices are to protect this valuable resource.
America’s forests are renewable: six trees are planted for every one harvested in the US; harvesting large, mature trees lets sunlight reach the forest floor to stimulate growth; hardwood trees regenerate naturally; forest products companies and private timberland owners plant almost 4.8 million trees a day, 1.7 billion trees a year.
America’s forests are abundant: the US still has more than 70 percent of the forestland it had in 1600 – 745 million acres; despite a 165% increase in population, the US has about the same amount of forestland as it did in 1920; today’s forest growth exceeds harvest by 47%; 36.7% of total forest lands are reserved from harvest by law for commercial timber production; each year hardwood volume increases by 5.27 billion cubic feet.
America’s forests are sustainable: sustainable forestry involves managing for multiple benefits including clean air, clean water, recreation, wildlife, habitat and timber; professional loggers adhere to Best Management Practices to minimize the environmental impact of harvesting operations; for the last 50 years North America’s forests have been managed sustainably; foresters are trained to determine when and how trees should be harvested, ensuring healthy and productive forests.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization that encourages the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.
Landowners and companies that sell timber or forest products seek certification as a way to verify to consumers that they have practiced forestry consistent with FSC standards. Independent, certification organizations are accredited by FSC to carry out assessments of forest management to determine if standards have been met. These certifiers also verify that companies claiming to sell FSC certified products have tracked their supply back to FSC certified sources. This chain of custody certification assures that consumers can trust the FSC label. All MFMA Mill Manufacturers can provide FSC certified flooring.
If you have additional questions, contact MFMA's Technical Director at 888/480-9138.
*Source: Truth About Trees provided by the Hardwood Forest Foundation