International Wood Magazine

From the Forest

Nature's Palette

By Chris Connelly
Magazine page titled 'From the Forest' featuring a letter and portrait photo of IWPA President Chris Connelly, alongside a 'Nature's Palette' list of imported wood species.
Opening letter from IWPA President Chris Connelly in the 2014 International Wood Magazine, accompanied by a reference list of globally sourced hardwood species.

2014 HAS BEEN AN EXCITING YEAR AT IWPA and the articles we have assembled for this 11th edition of International Wood cover many of the cutting-edge innovations, applications and policy initiatives that are critical to our industry and our members. From the use of "superwoods" to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to stylish wooden eyewear to the most luxurious homes and yachts, wood sourced from around the world allows specifiers to do the most amazing things.

We are particularly excited that 2014 has seen our Board inaugurate a new strategic plan for IWPA. Our stated mission is to: build acceptance and demand in North America for globally sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests. To accomplish this we must work to ensure that people recognize that the future of the world's forests depends on a vibrant market for sustainable wood and wood products.

I have worked closely with our Executive Director, Cindy Squires, to be active in the debate taking place around the world about the best ways to ensure the health and vitality of our forests. Both Cindy and I have travelled extensively to meetings in Indonesia, Malaysia, South America, and Europe to discuss how to promote the use of this wonderful resource while ensuring that forests support vibrant and sustainable communities worldwide.

We are also working to ensure that markets recognize the benefits of sustainably harvested wood and incentivize the use of these products. Currently, several members of the World Trade Organization are moving forward with negotiations on an Environmental Goods Agreement that would eliminate tariffs on specified green goods. IWPA has worked from the outset to advocate for the inclusion of certified wood products, which we see as the Ultimate Green Good.

To learn more with these important initiatives, we are hopeful that you will join us next spring for our annual World of Wood conference from March 18 – 20 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. We have worked hard to assemble a list of presenters and panels that will ensure you have the information you need to navigate the current business and regulatory environment. Las Vegas' many exciting distractions will have to wait until our events wrap up each evening!

Thank you for your continued support of IWPA and we look forward to each opportunity to work with you to help your business grow.

Sincerely,

Chris Connelly • IWPA President 2014-2015 • Wood Brokerage International

Nature's Palette

The forests provide a natural, wondrous and renewable palette of wood species in an amazing multitude of colors and grain patterns. There are literally thousands of species globally that spark the imagination of our readers. Each edition of International Wood provides insight into the wide range of projects that successfully incorporate imported species. We have made every effort to identify the species referenced in this edition by its more common name and Genus species below. Clearly communicate your needs with a U.S. importer, manufacturer or supplier who can best assist you in locating the most appropriate species for your project.

  • African Etimoe (Copaifera spp.)
  • African Pommelé (Entandrophragma cylindricum)
  • Angelique (Dicorynia guianensis)
  • Anigre (Pouteria spp.)
  • Australian walnut (Juglans regia)
  • Balau, Red (Shorea spp.)
  • Birch, Karlian (Betula spp.)
  • Brazilian Cherry/Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril)
  • Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra)
  • Bubinga (Guibourtia spp.)
  • Cambara (Erisma uncinatum)
  • Cedar, Spanish (Cedrela odorata)
  • Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)
  • East Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
  • Ebony (Diospyros spp.)
  • Ekki (Platymiscium spp.)
  • Eveuss (Klainedoxa gabonensis)
  • Figured Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum)
  • Garapa (Apuleia leiocarpa)
  • Greenheart (Chlorocardium rodiei)
  • Ipé (Tabebuia spp.)
  • Kempas (Koompassia malaccensis)
  • Khaya/African mahogany (Khaya spp.)
  • Macassar ebony (Diospyros spp.)
  • Maccaranduba (Platymiscium spp.)
  • Makore (Tieghemella heckelii)
  • Maple (Acer spp.)
  • Massaranduba/Brazilian Redwood (Manilkara spp.)
  • Meranti/Lauan (Shorea spp.)
  • Merbau (Intsia spp.)
  • Morado (Machaerium scleroxylon)
  • Padauk (Pterocarpus spp.)
  • Pau ferro (Machaerium spp.)
  • Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.)
  • Red grandis (eucalyptus grandis)
  • Rosewood (Dalbergia spp.)
  • Rosewood, Madagascar (Dalbergia baroni)
  • Santos Rosewood/pau ferro (Machaerium spp.)
  • Sapele (Entandrophragma spp.)
  • Teak (Tectona grandis)
  • Tigerwood (Astronium graveolens)
  • Walnut (Juglans spp.)
  • Wenge (Millettia laurentii)
  • Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis)
  • Ziricote (Cordia dodecandra)

REFERENCES:

Frequently asked questions

What strategic mission did the IWPA Board inaugurate in 2014?+

The IWPA Board's new strategic plan set forth the mission to build acceptance and demand in North America for globally sourced wood products from sustainably managed forests. The goal is to ensure people recognize that the future of the world's forests depends on a vibrant market for sustainable wood and wood products.

How is IWPA engaging with the World Trade Organization's Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations?+

Several WTO members are negotiating an Environmental Goods Agreement that would eliminate tariffs on specified green goods. IWPA has advocated from the outset for the inclusion of certified wood products, which the association views as the Ultimate Green Good.

When and where will IWPA's 2015 World of Wood conference take place?+

The annual World of Wood conference is scheduled for March 18–20, 2015 at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. IWPA has assembled presenters and panels focused on navigating the current business and regulatory environment.

Where has IWPA leadership traveled to promote sustainable wood sourcing?+

President Chris Connelly and Executive Director Cindy Squires have traveled extensively to meetings in Indonesia, Malaysia, South America, and Europe. Their discussions focused on promoting wood use while ensuring forests support vibrant and sustainable communities worldwide.

What examples does the 11th edition of International Wood highlight as innovative uses of globally sourced wood?+

The edition covers applications ranging from the use of 'superwoods' to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, to stylish wooden eyewear, to the most luxurious homes and yachts. These examples demonstrate how wood sourced from around the world enables specifiers to achieve remarkable projects.

What resources does International Wood recommend for identifying wood species?+

The magazine directs readers to the USDA Forest Products Lab (www.fpl.fs.fed.us/search/commonname_request.php) and The Wood Database (www.wood-database.com). It also advises clearly communicating project needs with a U.S. importer, manufacturer, or supplier to locate the most appropriate species.