Reasonable Cost to you – No cost to the Environment

Too good to be true? Not really. You see, Timber Holdings Intl. Iron Woods^® are available at the same (or lower) price as comparable grades of cedar, pine and redwood. Each piece is clear and straight, eliminating sorting and waste. Because of their superior structural qualities, less material is required per job. Add to that the fact that less maintenance is required versus other materials and Timber Holdings Intl. Iron Woods^® are actually less expensive over the life of any outdoor construction project.

Timber Holdings Intl. works closely with government agencies, sawmills and foresters from all over the world to ensure that Timber Holdings Intl. Iron Woods^® are sustainably managed. All Iron Woods^® are regenerated either naturally or by seeding and replanting and are third party certified as having been produced from legally harvested logs in compliance with all international laws and regulations pertaining to the harvest and trade of both temperate and tropical forest products. Timber Holdings Intl., Inc. remains committed to the protection and preservation of the world's valuable timber resources and is pleased to bring the benefits of these unique timber products to you.

Wood vs. Alternatives

Recent trends in the specification and application of synthetic non-renewable resource-based products are a growing concern for this industry. The empty promise of lower maintenance and unproven performance distracts from the long term inpact that these petroleum-based, non-biodegradable products will have on the environment.

In addition to reducing the use of non renewable mineral and petroleum based products, consumers need to understand that agro-based products like soy based plastics and bio fuels come with their own impacts as well. As world demand for agro-based substitutes increase so does the demand for agricultural land and cultivation. Many people are familiar with the devastating effects of the agriculturally-driven burning of the world's tropical forests. While this trend had been in decline, recent, increased demand for soy and sugar is now causing a resurgence of pressure on the tropical forests. It must be clearly understood that the world's forests can only be preserved if they have more economic value other than alternative land use.

Consumers not only need to preference natural forest products they need to be willing to understand that the more value they give forest products the more forests will be protected. Consumers also need to support through consumption those brands that are environmentally committed through active support of those organizations that are making a difference.

Environmental Partnerships

Timber Holdings Intl. has a demonstrated commitment to transforming markets towards ecologically sensitive models through membership and participation in environmental organizations and programs dedicated to achieving forest sustainability and raised social conciousness.

• Founders of the Fields To Forest Tropical Reforestation Program: Rehabilitation of denuded and degraded forest lands into well-managed community owned forests and plantations.
• Members TFF (Tropical Forest Foundation): Implementation of Low Impact Logging Programs
• Members Metafore (Formerly Certified Forest Product Council): Adoption of Recommended Purchasing Policy Guidelines.
• Members Rainforest Alliance SmartWood Program: Chain of Custody Certificate #SW-COC-048
• Members FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Economic North Chamber: The Forest Stewardship Council sets Principle and Criteria for sustainable forest management and accredits Independent Third Party Certification bodies to evaluate, implement, and monitor well managed forest operations.
• Members IWPA (International Wood Products Association): Promoting trade in renewable forest resources as the cornerstone of sustainability.
• Participants in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora): Regulation of certain wood species that starts before they become endangered. It is an international system based on documentation that demonstrates legal aquisition and sustainable production.
• THI also support Habitat for Humanity by donating a variety of high-quality overstocks and odd lots for use in Habitat projects throughout the US.
• Iron Woods^® was recently used in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry’s Smart Home: Green + Wired exhibition.

Proactive Environmentalism

We take many additional steps to help protect and preserve the worlds forest resources by promoting the use of forest products over non renewable resource based alternatives. Here are some more of the things we do:

• Timber Holdings Intl. does not trade in any forest products derived from a species listed in the CITES (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered or Threatened Wood Species) Appendices I, II, or III.
• We encourage the use of Lesser Known Species (LKS) as defined by the Forest Stewardship Council.
• Timber Holdings Intl. preferences products which have been value added at their point of origin in support of local communities.
• Timber Holdings Intl. utilizes independent inspection and grading services to verify that all materials sold under the Iron Woods brand name are produced from legally harvested logs and in compliance with all international laws and regulations relating to the trade of timber products.
• We preferences third party certified, reclaimed, and salvaged materials as available.

What do the experts have to say about it?

"We feel Timber Holdings is a very reputable company. Their heart is in the right place."

— Francine Stephens, 'Rainforest Alliance'

"This particular company has done everything it can to be doing the right thing from an environmental point of view."

— Dr. Patrick Moore, Founding member of ‘Greenpeace’ and ‘GreenSpirit’