Reusing old wood helps take pressure off forests. Picture: Jim Fogarty.


Australians have an affinity with using natural products such as timber in their gardens. However, we are not always aware of its origin.

Several species of imported rainforest timber are used in gardens, the most notable being merbau (Intsia bijuga), also known as kwila. Merbau is facing potential extinction and the orang-utans of Malaysia are gradually losing their habitat.

Although a few plantations exist, much of the imported wood we use comes from unknown sources and this is the concern.

To add to the confusion, there is much debate about sustainable timber sourced within Australia.

Plantations are well managed but some groups will argue that they create monocultures and lack the biodiversity of a natural forest that contains different tree species.

Regrowth forests have all, or most, of their mature trees cleared for timber. Regrowth forests provide employment for many small communities, as well as supplying a well-managed and legal source of timber to Australian consumers.

Some would say selective harvesting of native hardwoods helps to increase the light in forests, producing larger-diameter trees and a more suitable native animal habitat. Detractors will argue that flora and fauna suffer as a result.

There is no shortage of recycled timber merchants. Recycling is a great way to use timber without adding pressure to already depleted rainforests and it also supports Australian business. Small timber mills that use wood from old farm trees also exist.

In Victoria, a company called Golden Cypress mills Cupressus macrocarpa trees planted by farmers as windbreaks at the turn of the 20th century. The wood is suitable for exterior use.

To sort through the confusion, ask for certified options when buying timber.

The Forest Stewardship Council is an internationally recognised non-profit organisation that promotes responsible management of the world's forests. Always make sure the timber you choose comes with FSC certification and make sure it has a code underneath it.

To verify the origin of the product, enter the code into the FSC international database at Other certification schemes include the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has developed an online wood guide to help people make informed decisions. The website is easy to use and is recognised by the Forest Stewardship Council. See