Trees and products made from trees contribute to many aspects of our daily lives. Not only do they provide clean air, clean water, soil conservation and provisions for wildlife but they also provide a multitude of products consumers use every day. Everything from toothpaste to ping pong balls & paddles, to writing stationery, pencils and even the adhesive glue on an envelope and stamp. Forest products are found everywhere you look and even in places you "wood" not.
How can this be?
When a tree is cut, nothing goes to waste. All parts, big and small, are used in one form or another. The bark for gardening mulch; limbs and trunks for building materials and to make wood pulp found in a variety of products, derivatives from the manufacturing process for perfumes, toiletries and industrial products; sawdust and wood chips for energy in mills; tree sap for syrups and turpentine; and roots for medicines, spices and teas. Scientists estimate that the average American consumes the equivalent of a 100-foot tree each year to fulfill wood and paper needs -- not surprising when you look at the forest products within your own home.
A quick inventory will reveal thousands of forest products, not to mention the biggest one of all -- your home. Just a few items include:
Bathroom: toilet seats, liquid soap, bathroom cleansers, rayon curtains, hooks and towel racks, disposable diapers, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrush, makeup, antacids, aspirin and other pharmaceuticals, hair spray, nail polish, shampoo and conditioners, combs and brushes.
Kitchen: linoleum floor, vinegar, tea bags, coffee filters, flavorings (such as vanilla lemon, lime, peppermint, spearmint, nutmeg, lilac, violet, lily of the valley, rose), pancake mix, maple syrup, parmesan cheese, pet food, wax polish, recipe box, paper towels, beer and liquor, baking cups, cutting board, hot chocolate mix, yeast, paper plates and cups, handles for cooking utensils, rolling pins, high chair, apple cider, cellophane, candlesticks, cellulose sponges, jams & jellies.
Living area: eyeglass frames, clocks, furniture, fireplaces, plaques, carpeting, wall paper, stairways, pianos, chairs and tables, bookshelves, playing cards, board games, paintings, photographs, bookends, billiard tables, guitars, speaker casings, baskets, toys, curtain rods, clothing, imitation leather.
Garage: paint, tires, waterproofing, paint thinner, seedling pots, roofing compounds, handles for gardening tools, putty and caulking compounds, wagons, croquet balls & mallets, birdhouses, epoxy resins, mousetraps, plastic pipes, handles for screwdrivers and other tools, varnish, car bumper, enamel, wood stain, football helmets, luggage, rake, air and oil filters.
| animal bedding artificial human limbs barrels and kegs baskets billboards birdhouses boats boxes: wood, bin, corrugated bridges brooms mops cable reels caskets Christmas tree stands clocks corks |
decks fences fishing lures flooring doghouses drumsticks excelsior fiber drums fitness benches game calls gauge sticks gazebos guitars handles industrial patterns ironing boards ladders |
landscape timbers log homes lumber mallets mine props mobile homes mulch: bark, pine nuggets novelties paddles and oars pallets skids paneling particle board pencils piano frames and keys picture frames poles and piling |
planters playground equipment plywood potting soil railroad cars and ties roof trusses skis sheds tongue depressors toys trailers trash bins wagons wagons wood sculpture toothpaste shoe polish |
| acetate acetone adhesive artificial flavorings cellophane cleaners cosmetics creosote |
disinfectants drilling compounds enamel foam rubber fuel gum insecticides lacquer |
lubricants medicines nail polish paint photographic and movie film printing ink putty and caulking rayon |
resins stain tanning compounds turpentine varnish vinegar wood alcohol |
| adhesive tape bags and sacks books boxes bank checks cartons confetti crepe paper |
copying paper cups desk pads diapers disposable clothing envelopes kites magazines |
maps money name tags napkins newspapers paper towels postage stamps ribbon |
roofing felt stationery telephone books tissues wrapping paper |
| banisters columns counter tops doors, dowels |
drawers lattice mantles mirror frames |
molding partitions picture frames plaques |
porch swings shelves shutters windows |
| barstools beds box springs benches bookcases cabinets cedar chests chairs chests china cabinets |
church pews and furniture computer stands couches credenzas desks dinettes dining rooms dressers entertainment centers gun cabinets |
hutches kitchen cabinets lamps night stands office furniture picnic benches reclining chairs rocking chairs school furniture speaker cabinets |
tables telephone stands upholstered chairs vanities work benches |
Steve Shooks's Directory of Forest Products, Wood Science and Marketing