If only there were a way to talk about wood decking without bringing up the fate of the rain forests. It's not easy to do. Some of the best woods for exterior decking may come with high ecological costs, an issue that lumber consumers are increasingly encouraged to consider. Waste is extremely high, Keating says, with as much as an acre of forest cut to produce 10 bd. Enforcement of forestry regulations is said to be haphazard at best.
Importers see it differently.
For example, the Thompson Mahogany Company in Philadelphia, which brings in between 2 million and 3 million bd. Nor has it been banned for international trade. This contentious issue is not limited to lumber taken from South American rain forests. If the debate seems confusing, it is. Certified lumber is harder to find and usually costs more.