Responsible Forestry and Our Replanting Programme

Wood has always been a natural solution for flooring, so it makes sense to protect it and use it sustainably.

That is why we plant an Australian hardwood tree for every square metre of flooring that is purchased. This means more trees are planted than ever cut down, which grows forestry for the benefit of your children.

Combating climate change

As you know, trees absorb carbon from the environment. But contrary to popular belief, a managed forest that is regularly harvested and replanted absorbs more carbon over time than a forest that is not harvested. So the renewable use of wood can contribute to a sustainable future and actually help tackle climate change.

“Trees grow and sustain themselves by the power of the sun's rays on their leaves. The chemical reactions which result from this produce oxygen and absorb the major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. Young growing trees in forests and plantations are sometimes called ‘carbon sinks’ because they use the carbon from carbon dioxide to form the wood they need to grow. Older trees, which have stopped growing, are much less effective in using up greenhouse gases.

When trees are harvested for timber, the carbon stays locked up in their wood as it is used to make houses, flooring, furniture and other products. If trees are left to die and rot on the ground, the carbon changes back to carbon dioxide and goes back into the atmosphere as greenhouse gas.” – Forest Industries (www.forestindustries.com.au)

Sustainable use

Lifewood is setting a new standard for responsible forestry practices. In partnership with the local government’s Forest Products Commission and Australian Craftswood & Timbers, we source only renewable timbers and then maximise their use by reducing wastage.

With the structure of Lifewood having a premium face grade, a low grade cross-engineered centre and B grade layer on the bottom, it allows us to not only utilise different lengths of timber, but also different grades within the one product. However, Lifewood will always remain a premium grade product. The lower grade material forms the structural (unseen) component, meaning we do not waste the timber that does not make the premium grade. More of the timber is utilised. So we seek a maximum efficiency and recovery from safely harvested timbers.

WA owned & grown

Instead of offering the 60-70 different timber species from around the world currently available in the marketplace, we will offer six and specialise only in WA timbers, as we believe that WA timbers are as good or better than anything else available in the world. This also provides us with an opportunity to support local industry as the timber industry sustains the south west of our state, so when purchasing a Lifewood floor you are also investing back into the WA economy.

We believe what the Waterford Crystal is for Ireland, Lifewood could be for WA. With Lifewood now set to be exported internationally, we have built this brand as something that all West Australians can be proud of.

Sources: Information courtesy of Wood. Naturally Better and the Forest Products Commission.