About Old Growth/Slow Growth Lumber
Old Growth
Old Growth is not to be confused with Virgin Growth. Virgin Growth is used to describe a forested area that has never been touched by man. Rightfully so, the areas of Virgin Growth are not part of any logging operation. Old Growth, which more accurately refers to full growth, is a tree that is allowed to reach full maturity.
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At maturity, it is necessary and beneficial to cut the timber. Similar to harvesting a garden by picking the ripe vegetables, managing the land properly is essential for its overall health and long term production. This opens the canopy and allows the smaller, less mature trees to thrive.
Slow Growth
Because Old Growth trees that are ripe for harvesting tend to be limited, we also use slow growth timbers which are from regions where the climate allows for slower growth of trees, yielding an optimal beauty of tight, dense grain paterns. Our material is harvested in an environmentally responsible way from forests growing in volume more than 3.8 times the amount being removed. *(Source - Indiana Forest Inventory and Analysis Data 2004-2008)
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The tree that took 200 years to grow 3 feet across is going to have much denser wood than the tree that took 75 years to grow the same size. The rings are closer together in the oldest tree, meaning the lumber has higher density, is harder, stronger, and more stable. Also usually more resistant to rot and insects. It makes a huge difference when talking about the quality of the wood that is necessary for custom wide plank hardwood flooring.