Others are sawn to provide timber for the building, furniture and packing industries. Small trees from coppicing and thinning are used in the production of paper or chipboard, or are used as a source of energy.
Wood is the only renewable natural material.
Its utilisation demands little energy - much less than concrete and steel. It is easily recyclable. Forests contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide levels by storing part of the carbon in the wood fibre. The sale of timber finances work to maintain forests. Using commodities made of timber is the first step in establishing sustainable forest management.