National Hardwood Magazine - November 2022

NWFA REVIEW
NHLA: Why Knot...
USDAFS STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY PROGRAM
PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Private ownership represents about 56 percent of the country’s total forest land and
25 percent are forests measuring less than 50 acres.
United States forests are among the
most proactively managed woodlands in
the world. Federal forest management
began in 1876 when Congress created
the first office to assess the quality
and condition of U.S. forests. In 1905,
management was transferred to the
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
(USDAFS), with a defined mission to sustain the health,
diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and
grasslands to meet the needs of present and future
generations.
This mission is accomplished through five main
activities:
1.Protecting and managing natural resources on U.S.
forest lands.
2.Conducting research on forest lands to improve
efficiencies.
3.Providing assistance with forest management on
private lands.
4.Educating the public about our nation’s forests.
5.Developing policies to support global forest
management.
Protecting/Managing
The primary activity of the USDAFS
is to protect and manage the country’s
national forests, which cover more than
190 million acres in 44 states, Puerto
Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
One of the major challenges to
protecting and managing national forests is fire
prevention. Annually, the USDAFS responds to more
than 50,000 fires. Changes in forest management
practices during the past few decades have resulted
in decreased harvesting in national forests, resulting in
increased undergrowth, a larger density of trees, and an
accumulation of dead wood on the forest floor. These
conditions, combined with drought in many areas of
the country, create the perfect conditions for large fires.
The fires threaten natural resources, private property,
and public safety, while diverting national funds from
conservation efforts to fighting fires. In 2009, of the
$5.5 billion budgeted for national forests, 42 percent of
those funds were used to fight out-of-control forest fires.
Fortunately, fire policies are changing as the USDAFS
recognizes that controlled fires have a role in promoting
a healthy ecosystem.
I want “complete solutions.”
That is what the architect asked
for when he spoke with me. He
was encouraging us, as a Hardwood
industry, to step up our
game and make it easier for him
to specify and use our products.
He wanted to use wood and acknowledged
its superior beauty and environmental benefits,
but he was not equipped with NHLA grading rules.
He does not understand common Hardwood lumber dimensions
for each species. He does not specialize in
acoustic paneling, Hardwood flooring, windows, doors,
or cabinets. He just wants to design and build great
structures that people appreciate. I think the same can
be said for all our customers, from engineers and DIYers
to pallet users and railroads.
Solid wood is not easy to use for those who don’t have
the tools or expertise. Those with the tools and talent always
appreciate it when you save them time, money, labor,
and callbacks. We all know that wood is anisotropic,
with different physical properties in different directions. It
also has fluctuating dimensions based on moisture content
changes. But that is no excuse for leaving it to the
architect, contractor, or consumer to solve. We can offer
some solutions or partner with those who do.
How often do we offer complete solutions? It’s pretty
easy to mill it and leave everything else to the experts,
OFFER COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
except for the fact that we are the
experts on Hardwoods. Whether
for appearance, strength, or stability,
we know how to use the
Hardwood appropriately to make
it look beautiful and last longer.
So, what do complete solutions
look like in the Hardwood industry?
Pre-manufacturing components, participating in the
planning, maintenance, installation, project scoping, testing,
vendor-managed inventory, and much more. There
is a large market out there waiting for complete solutions,
and we must figure out if we are going to invest in them
or find partners who already do.
From complex architectural structures to simple flooring,
there are options for complete solutions and the potential
for revenue. Just as people pay for annual updates
for their computer’s operating software, they are
also willing to pay for annual maintenance on their Hardwoods.
How often have you had someone install software
for you? How often have you brought your truck in
for preventative maintenance? Just as someone would
like you to install your wood for them or maintain it looking
nice longer. Additionally, you have things already installed
on your computer when you purchase it, just as
you can have preassembly of their wood. Some of this
is done in flooring or cabinets, but there are many other
options.
Please turn to page 85
Please turn to page 91
BY ANITA HOWARD,
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
NATIONAL WOOD FLOORING ASSOCIATION,
CHESTERFIELD, MO 800-422-4556
WWW.NWFA.ORG
BY DALLIN BROOKS,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOCIATION,
MEMPHIS, TN
901-377-1082
WWW.NHLA.COM
20 NOVEMBER 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.org
www.RealAmericanHardwood.org
NOVEMBER 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 21