Most engineered (composite) wood products recycle wood waste from different stages of other timber products, which is a telltale sign of their sustainability. However, the synthetic resins often used in wood composite panels cause concern. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of engineered wood?

Cedar wood makes durable exterior furniture thanks to its being rot-resistant. And because of cedar’s lightweight, the energy consumption during harvesting and transportation is relatively low compared with most hardwoods and some softwoods. However, cedar trees, especially in old-growth forests, play a significant role for wild animals, birds, and insects. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of cedar wood?

Hardboard, also called High-Density Fiberboard (HDF), is made with exploded wood fibers salvaged from wood chips and shavings. This engineered wood is an excellent way to recycle wood waste collected from sawmills into a reasonably strong and affordable material. Though the wet wood fibers can be bound using heat and pressure, synthetic resins are often used. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of hardboard?

Spruce trees are abundant and widely distributed in the US. Some species of spruce are among the fastest-growing and largest trees in North America. The high availability and large size are telltale signs of the sustainability of spruce wood. However, spruce-fir forests play a significant role for wild animals, insects, and birds. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of spruce wood?

Particle board is a wood-based product that doesn’t contribute to more deforestation because it uses only wood waste material. This engineered wood is an excellent way to recycle wood chips, shavings, and sawdust collected from sawmills. However, the chemicals used in glues that necessitate the formation of these boards are a cause for concern. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of particle board?

Elm trees grow fast and produce many seeds over a long time, making timber replacement relatively quick and easy. However, the elm trees, which support many birds and mammals, are susceptible to the Dutch elm disease. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of elm wood?

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) was born from leftover wood chips and shavings. This engineered wood is an excellent way to recycle waste material collected from sawmills. However, the chemicals used in glues that necessitate the formation of these boards are a cause for concern. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of red oak wood?

Plywood is wood engineered to be strong and flexible. Making plywood is a good way to reduce wood waste as a higher percentage of wood from a log can be used. However, the chemicals used in glues that necessitate plywood formation are a cause for concern. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of plywood?

Red oak trees grow in abundance throughout the US forests, making their timber highly available for manufacturing furniture and building houses. However, as the long-lived, large oak species arguably support more life-forms than any other trees in the US, cutting down the trees hurts wildlife. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of red oak wood?

Palm wood comes from various tree-like species in the palm family. This large and diverse family of plants grows in abundance across the world’s tropical regions. It means palm woods can be sustainable thanks to their high availability. However, logging in tropical forests could cause great ecological damage. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of palm wood?

The wood from the coconut plant’s single stem was once discarded as a sustainable usage of a by-product that would otherwise go to waste. However, coconut is an invasive species. There are concerns over the diversity of islands and atolls where coconut plantations overtake native vegetation in local forests. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of coconut wood?

Aspen has the widest natural range of all trees native to North America, making aspen timber a highly accessible material within the US. As aspen trees grow rapidly, any timber cut for furniture and household items can be quickly replenished. However, as the aspen trees support a lot of mammals, birds, and insects, cutting down the trees hurts wildlife. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of aspen wood?

Hickory is among the hardest and strongest woods native to the US. As hickory trees grow in abundance throughout the US forests, this long-lasting material is readily available. However, as the hickory trees support a lot of mammals, birds, and insects, cutting down the trees hurts wildlife. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of hickory wood?

Willow trees grow fast and tall, quickly replenishing timber cut for furniture and household items. However, as the willow trees support a lot of mammals, birds, and pollinators, cutting down the trees hurts wildlife. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of willow wood?

Birch wood comes from various birch tree species which spread far and wide across the northern hemisphere. The timber is strong and suitable for making long-lasting furniture. Also, species like the American yellow and paper birch grow sustainably in abundance in US forests. However, as the birch trees support many animals and birds, cutting down the trees hurts wildlife. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of birch wood?