One of the differences from region to region is the type of trees that thrive there. According to the EPD, the Pacific Coast region represents 29% of the U.S. softwood lumber milling capacity and grows primarily Douglas fir (73%), in addition to western hemlock, white fir, and ponderosa pine, among others. The Inland Northwest EPD indicates that the region accounts for 9% of the U.S. softwood lumber milling capacity, and grows primarily white fir (40%) and Douglas fir (29%), among others. The U.S. South EPD indicates the region accounts for 56% of the U.S. softwood lumber milling capacity, and grows primarily a southern pine mix (84%). Each EPD represents the energy and materials required for manufacturing the softwood lumber produced in that region from cradle to gate—from harvest until the product leaves the mill. The lumber products manufactured include boards, beams, timbers, and the base material for mass timber products like CLT and glued-laminated timber.
Regardless of region, sustainable forestry practices are used throughout the U.S. to ensure a regenerative growth cycle. Only 2% of the available volume of timber each year from working forests in the U.S. is harvested for softwood lumber, with replanted trees reaching maturity each year.
This data will help architects, engineers, and developers better understand the environmental impacts of the wood structural systems in their buildings. To explore the new regional EPDs, as well as the existing North American softwood lumber EPDs, visit the EPDs and Transparency Briefs section of the AWC’s website, and to learn more about the sustainability of structural wood, visit the sustainability resources at the AWC and at Think Wood.
