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?

Active people like you are taking a serious look at your athletic wear since the apparel industry contributes 10% of global emissions and is the second biggest polluter of our environment. In Europe one brand that stands out as being known for sustainability is Vaude, located in Germany. So we had to ask: How sustainable is Vaude?

Redwood trees are the tallest living trees on earth. They grow fast and tall, which are good signs for the sustainability of their wood. However, redwood forests, especially the ancient ones, store a larger amount of carbon than any other forest type. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of redwood?

Batu (or red balau) wood comes from a few endangered tree species native to South and Southeast Asia. Due to high demand and lax regulation, these species have been under decades of overexploitation. Illegal logging and unsustainable practices reduce the tree population and the invaluable biodiversity of their native habitats. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made of batu wood?

Balau is a group of valuable tropical timber commonly used and traded globally. Balau tree species, alongside other tree species in the meranti group, used to dominate tropical forests in South and Southeast Asia. But high demand and lax regulation have led to decades of overexploitation. Illegal logging and unsustainable practices reduce the tree population while damaging the forests’ invaluable biodiversity. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made of balau wood?

Cocobolo wood is considered one of the best-looking and best-sounding woods from the tropics, highly sought after for fine furniture and musical instruments. The color is deep and rich, highlighted with attractive swirling patterns. Tone travels through it fast and accurately. However, illegal and over-logging in tropical forests for cocobolo wood timber have extremely high costs, especially regarding biodiversity. So we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made out of cocobolo wood?

Active people like you are taking a serious look at your athletic wear since the apparel industry contributes 10% of global emissions and is the second biggest polluter of our environment. One outdoor apparel brand that is often talked about as being sustainable is Patagonia. So we had to ask: How sustainable is Patagonia?

Olive wood is a by-product of much-priced fruit from the same tree. It comes from the trunk of very old trees that no longer bear fruit. Small pieces of wood can also be utilized from pruned branches of fruiting trees. Turning olive wood into household items is, thus, sustainable usage of the would-be waste material of the olive orchard. Still, we had to ask: How sustainable is it to buy products made of olive wood?

Balsa wood is much-loved for its buoyancy and excellent ability to insulate sound, heat, and vibration. It is light-weighted and soft – one of the lightest and softest commercial woods out there (though its density varies significantly depending on the growing conditions). Thanks to the fast growth rate of balsa trees, this timber provides an environmentally friendly alternative for many products, for example, a surfboard blank. Still, we had to ask: How sustainable is balsa wood?

Active people like you are taking a serious look at your athletic wear since the apparel industry contributes 10% of global emissions and is the second biggest polluter of our environment. You want to know if your favorite hiking gear was made sustainably and is durable so it lasts. Columbia is a brand that comes to mind when we think of durable sportswear. So we had to ask: How sustainable is Columbia?