Eco Lyptus wood

A Fast Growing Hardwood Alternative

Eco Lyptus wood is another upcoming contender to substitute hardwood timber. A more sustainable alternative to tropical hardwood.

As with all overseas plantations the amount of emodied energy to ship these to Europe and the US for trade does bring down the eco qualities.

Description

• Lyptus wood (a trademark) is a hybrid of 2 Eucalyptus trees.
• A natural, renewable and sustainable exotic hardwood resource.
• It has a closed grain with colours similar in appearance to mahogany and cherry timber.
• The trees mature in approximately 15 years and are ready for harvest, which is much shorter in time than for other hardwoods.
• One crop of mahogany takes approx 70 years - comparable with four crops from a lyptus plantation.
• Trees that have been harvested grow new saplings from the stump in an ever self-sustaining process.
• Compared to the same characteristics as maple.

Uses

• Suitable for kitchen furniture, stairs, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, panelling and millwork.

Cost

• Less expensive than other hardwood timber.
• More manpower is needed to move around the timber, which has an impact on the cost.

Advantages

• The same workability and machining characteristics as other hardwood timber.
• Easily takes different types of stains, oils and waxes due to the uniform grain (including water based and non toxic finishes).
• Easily sanded.

Disadvantages

• Machining can cause splintering.
• Colour matching can prove difficult as the nature of the timber sees colours ranging from light cherry to dark mahogany.
• When exposed to UV light over periods of time the natural pigments will darken the appearance.
• This timber is heavier than most hardwoods.

Embodied Energy

• The heaviness of the timber means increased fuel used for transportation and distribution.
• The source means importing from overseas, which increases the levels of embodied energy.

Source/Origin

• Trees are grown in sustainably managed forests in Brazil, South America by one company, and are distribute globally.
• Forests are grown on previously destroyed forest land.

Renewable

• Yes, fast growing timber which is managed responsibly.

Recycled content

• n/a

Environment & Health

• Hardwood & exotic timber forests are not depleted when plantations of faster growing lyptus are grown.
• Grown in lyptus plantations rather than naturally which does not encourage biodiversity.

Performance

• Harder than oak, lyptus is very dense performing well against wear and tear.

Recyclable

• Yes fully

Disposal / Biodegradable

• 100 percent natural and biodegradable

Ethics

• The plantation provide their own standards for responsible timber plantations and do not have a certificate to support sustainability (e.g. FSC).