| There's arguably nothing more visually | | | | their dedication to environmentally sound |
| pleasing than the smooth, natural beauty of a | | | | timber harvesting today. For instance, Morse |
| piece of finely crafted furniture, or the | | | | Hardwoods, a company specializing in flooring |
| simple elegance of a beautifully finished | | | | and millwork crafted from both soft- and |
| hardwood floor. But for many years, concerns | | | | hardwoods, uses selective cutting to ensure |
| have been raised about harvesting old-growth | | | | the continued growth of forests, and plans |
| hardwood forests for use in the furniture and | | | | each cut it makes before it cuts the |
| building industries.Back in the nineties, | | | | harvested timber to maximize the yield from |
| home improvement giant Home Depot was under | | | | every log and to minimize waste. Morse and |
| fire for offering wood and wood products | | | | other small timber companies in the U.S. have |
| harvested using destructive lumbering | | | | led the way to sustainable practices.As the |
| practices, and even offering exotic woods | | | | public becomes more aware of the importance |
| taken by clear-cutting methods from | | | | of forest sustainability and chooses products |
| endangered tropical rain forests.To | | | | manufactured from wood harvested in |
| everyone's astonishment, Home Deport | | | | environmentally sound ways, the demand for |
| listened; and today they are proud to claim | | | | these products will increase, and the |
| that 85 percent of the wood they sell comes | | | | sustainable forestry movement will continue |
| from sustainable forestry practices. They are | | | | to grow - which is good news for the |
| an amazing example of what can happen when a | | | | environment.Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance |
| major corporation chooses to adopt a | | | | writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. |
| responsible attitude toward the | | | | She has written numerous articles for local |
| environment.Meanwhile, many smaller companies | | | | and regional newspapers and for a number of |
| began their business with a commitment to | | | | Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. |
| sustainable forestry practices, and continue | | | | |