What is RAINFOREST TIMBER?
Rainforest timber comes from big trees of the scientific family called Dipterocarpaceae, so they are referred to as dipterocarps. These are the tall trees that make the canopy layer of the rainforest, sometimes called emergents because they tower or emerge over the others and dominant the forest landscape. In Southeast Asia, look for meranti or nyatoh woods with reddish or deep brown tones. These are prized trees for loggers to cut and sell for timber. Good forest management only allows trees that reach a certain size (dbh or diameter at breast height) to be harvested, while leaving the others to grow. If rainforests are overharvested it leads to soil erosion, flooding and loss of plant and animal species. Now consumers have a choice to choose wood products that are certified by a program that ensures that all logs cut down are from sustainable forests, that means everyone from the landowner, forestry department and logging companies follow proper guidelines. There are many species tha
