Residence Nov 2006 -
American hardwood: harmonizes nature with human

While the vanishing tropical forests in South America and Asia are receiving increasing attention, the US temperate forest is having a completely different fate. The story of American forests can be described as an epic of regeneration and sustainability of the 20th century.

The story of American forest

Hardwood not only adds warmth and comfort in interiors, but is also a good environmental choice.

Despite a 40% increase in annual production of American wood since 1952, the inventory of non-coniferous wood and US hardwood has been growing by 28% and reaches 33% today. Why does the heavy harvest of forests in the US not lead to exhaustion but the inventory still increase instead? Thanks to the long-term scientific and efficient forest management implemented by the American wood industry, in particular the adoption since 1994 of a practical forest management system, which is an integration of principles, objectives, and result assessments. The system combines sustainable use of forest with preservation of wildlife, soil, and water quality to assure forest protection along with natural exploration. Today, global trades of American wood products all come from sustainable wood industry. It is under this professional management that preserves the growth and harvest of forests for the next generations.

One-third of all US land is covered by forest. In other words, the Americans have maintained 70% of the forest land in the new continent discovered by Christopher Columbus 500 years ago. The distribution of hardwood is even more amazing. The temperate climate and fertile soil have been nurturing a sea of forests in every state of America, with hardwood being the most densely distributed in the south of Mississippi River. Trees are regenerated natural resources, and with proper plantation, their harvest and revival will form a normal life cycle.

Selection harvesting is typical in American hardwood forest. Following harvesting, trees sprout vigorously under the sunshine and will grow to 15 to 20 ft. in height within 4 and 5 years. When millions of trees are fell for construction materials every year, more millions of trees will undergo natural regeneration through plantation or naturally occurring seeds and stumps. That is where the American forest's secret lies.

Hardwood's beautiful characteristics

American hardwood's clear and delicate grain gives the furniture a natural look and a charm of native beauty. American hardwood is used as wall and flooring, adding elegance and warmth to interiors.

American hardwood forest produces more than 20 species that are of economical values, of extensive usage and durable, offering architects and interior designers a wide-range of selections and design flexibility. Red oak, white oak, ash, hard maple, soft maple, cherry, red alder, walnut, hickory, and tulipwood are the most popular species. American hardwood products appeal to the world market with their natural appearances, outstanding texture, diverse coloring, wide varieties, and reasonable grading system, applicable to furniture, kitchen cabinets, builder's joinery and carpentry, musical instruments, moulding, packaging, and many others. Different ways of sawing would produce distinctive effects on grain patterns. When the log is plain sawn or sawn from one direction, sacred-look grain patterns are reflected on the board surface. Quarter sawing or diagonal cutting would give a vertical grain texture. The third method is rift sawing which would form interesting and distinctive patterns on wood, especially on the red oak and white oak. In sum, no matter what species you choose, how they are sawed, or where they are applied, American hardwood would generate a passion for nature and form a fashion in interior decoration.

American Hardwood Export Council in China
Headquartered in Washington, USA, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) is a non-profit making international trade association for the US hardwood industry, representing over 100 committed US hardwood exporters and most major US hardwood product trade associations in the United States. AHEC has six regional offices worldwide with the Southeast Asia Office established in Hong Kong in 1992. In 2000 the office was renamed as the Southeast Asia and Greater China Office to manage various markets in the region covering mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. As the Greater China market has become increasingly important, AHEC set up a regional office in Shanghai in February 2002.

China has become the leading importer of American hardwood products for three successive years, according to the latest statistics of US Department of Agriculture. Statistics of China National Furniture Association show that China's furniture exports topped the world with a total value of US$13.767 billion in 2005, an upsurge of 32.98%. American hardwood's excellent quality, abundant species, and sustainable supply prove to be China's best choice for wood, meeting the demand as a result of the constant growth in furniture manufacturing and flooring processing industries on the mainland. Red oak, widely used in North America, also catches the attention of Chinese furniture manufacturers in particular in recent years. The world exports of US red oak lumber reached US$225.5 million in 2005, of which US$36.2 million was exported to China and Hong Kong, accounting for a 16% share of the total US exports and ranking second to Canada but ahead of Mexico. China has leapt to become the largest export market of American red oak outside the US.

Always in good shape, American hardwood satisfies your needs as they are perfect for kitchen cabinets.		Warm and easy atmosphere is the charm of American lifestyle.

Build a Solid Wood “Bridge”
An interview with 《John Chan》, Regional Director for AHEC's Southeast Asia and Greater China

《Residence》:
What are the conditions of American hardwood in the world forest resources? How do they undergo their lifecycle?

《John Chan》: American hardwood has abundant resources and has over 20 species, sharing 8% of the world's hardwood forests. The US is the major place of hardwood production because its log production accounts for 24% of the world production. America covers a vast area geographically and it produces different species in different regions. It is their unique grains that are appealing. Around 70% of hardwood resources in the US are privately owned and preserved under strict rules. We also have strict procedures for harvesting. Only grown up trees are harvested to let small ones grow under enough sunshine and good nutrition. In this way, the ecological balance can be maintained through natural regeneration.

《Residence》:
What kind of organization is AHEC? What is its position in China's wood market?

《John Chan》: AHEC is a non-profit making international trade association for the US hardwood industry aiming at promotion. We hope buyers and sellers from other different fields will understand the strengths of American hardwood. For example, our products have excellent performance in terms of resources, species, and grading. They have been widely used in solid wood furniture, flooring, interior carpentry, and building designs. The 2005 statistics show that China has become our leading market. We are not aiming at the Chinese consumers to buy our wood products. We are just hoping to offer more choices to wood sellers, furniture manufactures, and designers in China.

《Residence》:
Is there something special about the corporate management in the US?

《John Chan》: Since America is a country of immigrants, it is good at absorbing different cultures. Its management system is quite mature. Generally speaking, the operation of American enterprises is highly mechanized, less manual, striving for a highly efficient system of production and operations. Unlike the European countries which have a passion for innovative design and materials, American furniture features its solid wood design. As Americans are more open and outgoing, they are keen on communicating with natural environment. That's why they like the rustic solid wood more. The Chinese are very much like this. Through the Association, we hope to serve as a bridge to offer more choices to consumers in China.