"The Appalachian Standard"
identifies the four key aspects of Appalachian Hardwood species and
what these attributes mean to wood manufacturers. These are
sustainability; consistent quality; greater yield; and Made in the
United States of America.
On their own, each of these
standards are important. The combination of these four make
Appalachian the point of comparison for all hardwood lumber needs.
The AHMI Board of Trustees defines
the Appalachian Hardwood Forest as those counties in the Appalachian
Mountains with an average elevation of 1,000 feet above sea level or
higher. There are 344 counties in this designation in 12 states from
northern Alabama through western New York.
The U.S. Forest Service completes a
survey of public and private forests each decade to establish the
growth, harvest and mortality of trees in each county in the country.
The report for the Appalachian Hardwood Forest is phenomenal.
Data from these 344 counties shows
8.4 billion board feet of hardwoods and 1.6 billion board feet of
softwoods are growing annually. The research reports that 1.9
billion board feet of hardwoods and 154 million board feet of
softwoods are harvested annually. The data finds that 584
million board feet of hardwoods 85 million board feet of softwoods are
After 75 years of forest management
and utilization, the Appalachian Hardwood Forest is more than
sustainable: it is adding more than 6 billion board feet of hardwood
lumber annually. That is the net growth after 2 billion board feet is
harvested and another 669 million board feet dies annually in the
Since the 1930s, AHMI has had an
active Forestry Division made up of private and corporate foresters
committed to active management of forestland. The division works
extensively with landowners to educate them on issues and practices
that improve the forest.
Appalachian Hardwood producers also
have a long-standing devotion to the principles of sustainable
forestry. Pioneers before the modern environmental movement,
Appalachian Hardwood producers understand the role healthy forests
contribute in providing clean air and water, habitat for wildlife and
unique recreational opportunities.
The first measure for all lumber
resources should be sustainability. The Appalachian Standard is a high
The species may change from oak to
maple to cherry to poplar, but one characteristic of Appalachian
Hardwoods remains the same: consistency. Appalachian Hardwood lumber
is world-renowned for its machining properties and excellent
The second element of The
Appalachian Standard for hardwood lumber is consistent quality.
Manufacturers have learned that Appalachian hardwood lumber provides
this time and again. This consistency is found in stable results from
drying, gluing and processing, all of which are crucial in the
production of finished goods.
Every load of Appalachian hardwood
lumber is consistently what a manufacturer who is focused on quality
The third element of The Appalachian
Standard is mathematical. Appalachian Hardwood lumber is delivered in
longer lengths and wider widths than lumber from other regions of the
United States and world. The reason? The trees.
The Appalachian Mountains provide
the ideal environment for temperate hardwoods. The number of days in
the growing season, adequate rainfall, and soil composition combine to
produce "mountain grown" trees.
These trees make boards that average
12-14 feet in length and widths exceeding eight to 10 inches on
average. That means increased yield for the end user and more lumber
going into a finished product and less scrap on the floor or sent to
The gain in yield quickly multiplies
into increased profits. More manufacturers demanding specific lengths
and widths because they have learned that with a little math and The
Appalachian Standard, the sum is high quality savings.
in the United States
Location. Location. Location.
Vital in real estate and extremely
important as the fourth component of The Appalachian Standard. The
Appalachian Forest, as defined by AHMI, extends from northern Alabama
into western New York, in the heart of the eastern United States.
This area is the birthplace of
forestry in the U.S. and home to the hardworking families of
Appalachia. These third and fourth generations of families have
learned from experience what the forests in their backyards provide.
This Appalachian location renders
easy access to markets across North America and quick links to ports
for distribution worldwide. The fourth and final component of
The Appalachian Standard is American made.
No other lumber offers the
sustainability, strength, beauty and durability of The Appalachian
Standard. That is a distinction that nature, a long history of
commitment to forestry, and advanced harvesting and manufacturing
technique can provide.
Your best work begins with the
industry’s premier source of lumber - Appalachian Hardwoods. Please
give your next project the unmatched advantage of the world’s finest