There are a number of forestry products that are produced and consumed each year. The trees that the logging industry harvests each year are used for building materials, as well as many other items we use regularly. This renewable resource is also biodegradable, which makes it a very attractive choice to many people.
When people think about forestry products, the first thing that comes to mind is usually wood, which has many applications. It can be used for framing structures, flooring, or making interior or exterior trim. Firewood is another product available to consumers that comes directly from our forests.
Another example of commonly-used forestry products is particle board. Particle board is a manufactured product that is made from wood chips, sawdust and wood shavings. These materials are pressed together to form a building material that can be used in the same way as solid wood. This product is used to make furniture, as well as paneling. Since particle board is a less expensive product than solid wood, it can be used to mass produce pieces that the average consumer can afford to buy for home and office use.
Forestry products also include a number of paper products. From coffee filters to confetti and business cards, they are a part of our everyday lives. Other examples of paper products are items that are commonly used for business purposes, such as envelopes, Post-It Notes®, file folders and writing paper.
This category of products also includes items we use for personal care, such as toilet paper, napkins, and wet wipes. Products that we use as part of our everyday lives, such as postage stamps, also fall under the category of forestry products. Every time we pick up a book to read or glance at a brochure, we are looking at a product that came from the forest. Banknotes are another example of forestry products.
Trees are also used to manufacture photographic film. Spruce or hemlock trees are made into pulp and the material is bleached. The cellulose that is produced by this process is treated with alkaline chemicals so that any fats or resins are removed. Once this part of the process has been completed, the material can be spun to make products in the same way that yarn is manufactured. The cellulose used to make film is spun on large sheets before being rolled out.
No part of a tree that is harvested goes to waste. The bark can be used to make several types of products, including mulch for use in gardens. This part of the tree also finds its way into products like cosmetics and certain medications.
