No shortage of Southern hardwood

The Merchant Magazlne

I\ESPITE horror stories in the 9national press about future shortages of hardwoods, a timber study of 12 southern states shows sufficient hardwood inventories there for years to come.

Projections arrived at by the U.S. Forest Service with the use of advance computer modeling techniques indicate that the southern forest products industry can maintain its economic position and expand both its domestic and international markets. Economic and biological considerations as well as other varying factors were weighed by the agency to reach a base-case timber inventory projection.

The industry's belief that southern forests are among the best in the world was confirmed. Hardwoods have increased 530/o since 1952 despite major increases in harvest levels.

Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Oklahoma were included in the study which began in 1984. Hardwood growth per acre in these areas has increased substantially since 1952, although the study indicates a 190/o decrease by the year 2000 to be followed by a gradual recovery.

These decreases are not unexpected given projected declines in hardwood acreage due to urban expansion and the conversion of low quality hardwood sites to pine production. By the year 2030, hardwood acreage is anticipated to have decreased by 18.5 million acres including mixed stands.

However, an assessment of the southern timber situation study by the American Forest Council. Washington, D.C., concludes that with the continuation of current forest management trends, no region-wide timber supply problems for the south are seen. Supplies are expected to remain adequate although some localized shortages may occur, particularly for quality hardwood sawtimber. The hardwood dealer can expect the south to meet future wood demands at reasonable prices. The southern forest products industry is expected to remain strong and to increase its competitive position in world markets.

Ll AWAII. The land of lush tropi- I I cal beauty and color. Exotic, enchanting, elusive. The land of koa.

Koa is Hawaii's finest native hardwood, growing solely on the main island of Hawaii. Yet its lofty value has always been parallelled bY increasing scarcity. It grows best in areas that can beand have beenconverted into ideal grazing land. The koa forests which have not yet been cleared to develop pastures are primarily filled with old trees in the rather inaccessible areas above 4,000 feet elevation, on the slopes of Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Hualaiai

As a result, the full potential of koa has often gone unrealized. Even before the days ofprotective conservationists, the Hawaiian kings of long ago would restrict the valuable wood for their own uses. And the current problems of age and scarcity have contributed to koa's shaky supply reputation.

But now at least one sawmill is operating around the difficulties in the koa forests. Sumwood. Inc.. a Palos Verdes Peninsula (Los Angeles), Ca., importer, has joined forces with this mill as a reliable source for koa, guaranteeing a steady, continuous supply for years. Sawing at its current pace of about 40,000 board feet per month, the source has secured enough standing koa to last about l5 years.

Seldom before has a company been able to offer a complete package of koa items from stock, and Sumwood is taking full advantage of the opportunity by providing a wide variety of products. Koa lumber, paneling. plywood, flooring (both strip and parquet), and even complementary mouldings, including baseboard, panel moulding, cove, casing, crown and quarter round profiles, are available.

Sumwood president J.R. "Jim" Summerlin, who is also the current president of the International Hardwood Products Association, has coordinated with the suppliers in Hawaii to make his offerings ready from inventory for immediate shipments.

One look at a slice of koa instantly delivers its greatest sales feature. The rich, beautiful heartwood ranges from a pale blonde to a reddish and even deep chocolate brown. It is commonly figured by light and dark banding of the growth rings and a