How to embrace sustainable timber in your garden

by Samantha Hacker

Protecting the environment is fast becoming a priority for us in our day to day lives, and is something that we think about more and more.

One key consideration in your home and garden that can really make a difference to the planet is your choice of materials. Timber is a popular choice of sustainable material for a whole heap of reasons. In this blog post, we look at what makes timber so sustainable, and how you can embrace it in your garden. 

Pressure treated redwood timber, used in our bin, recycling, bike and log stores and shelters

 

What is sustainable timber?

Sustainable timber comes from sustainably managed forests certified by reputable organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

FSC certification involves rigorous standards that cover a range of criteria, including forest management planning, conservation of biodiversity, protection of indigenous peoples' rights, and adherence to workers rights.

These certifications ensure that the timber is harvested in a way that promotes responsible forestry practices, including reforestation and wildlife conservation.

A considerable proportion of the materials we use originates from Scandinavia. The distinct climate of this region results in slower timber growth, which produces wood with denser characteristics and smaller growth rings. This is good for two reasons – not only does it facilitate easier planing and machining, but it also results in a higher grade compared to alternative options available in the market.

Scandinavian redwood cladding timber, used in our green roof garden storage products

Scandinavia boasts plentiful reserves of responsibly harvested timber, adhering to the rigorous standards set by either the FSC or PEFC schemes. This not only ensures the quality of the timber but also underscores its sustainability.

How to embrace timber in your garden

Timber is versatile and can be used on a range of features in your garden. Timber makes a great material for:

Salvaged or recycled timber can be a good option for some of the less hard-wearing parts of your garden, such as beds and planters, compost heaps etc. This can add a bit of rustic charm to your garden, and also mean you are saving wood from ending up in landfills.

Treating and caring for timber

Sustainable wood treatment is an important step in protecting timber from the elements and extended its lifespan.

All the timber we use for our bin, bike and log stores is treated with TANALITH E, a timber preservative which does not contain chromium or arsenic. The organic biocides in combination with copper have been specially selected to give optimum performance. The selection of the biocides takes into account the ultimate fate and disposal of the treated timber with minimum environmental impact.

So it would seem timber is the perfect choice of material when looking to spruce up your garden or solve your garden storage needs. Rustic charm plus it's good for the planter – what's not to like!

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