Research

Conservation & Environment Guideline Leaflets

Trees and Timber Products

Gardeners use a lot of timber products for fencing, trellis, sheds, decking, furniture and other purposes. Timber is a renewable resource but the supply can only be maintained where good forestry practices are adopted. Past exploitation of forests means that some tropical hardwoods are now in short supply and in danger of being harvested to extinction. The wholesale felling of trees without a programme of replanting and controlled harvesting has a devastating effect on the other plants and wildlife associated with the commercially valuable trees, and the millions of people across the world who depend on forests for food, fuel, medicinal plants and clean water. Sustainable forestry practices can be supported by purchasing timber from suppliers whose products are independently certified as coming from well-managed forests.

To view these documents you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. We strongly recommend that you download the latest version to prevent problems viewing the documents. This is available free from the Adobe website. Click on the logo to go to the website.

Full document

1 The Royal Horticultural Society supports all efforts to promote information on the intrinsic value of trees in the landscape. It provides advice and organises demonstrations concerned with the planting and practical management of trees and the encouragement of a caring attitude towards them.

2 RHS Gardens maintain forward planting plans for trees, which aim to represent a wide range of native and non-native genera.

3 The RHS is committed to promoting the sound management of trees and forests, recognising the importance in maintaining those of high ecological value.

4 The RHS believes that all wood products should be traceable, and deplores the use of products made from illegally harvested timber, or sourced from forests that are inappropriately cleared or converted.

5 The RHS is taking steps to ensure that wood products offered for sale by RHS Enterprises or by others at the Society's Shows, together with timber used in the course of the Society's building and other developments, are genuinely certified as coming from forests that are well managed with full regard to conservation and the environment.

6 The RHS encourages the use of reclaimed wood, recycled wood products and, where appropriate, timber substitutes.

7 The RHS promotes knowledge on the value of ancient, dead or decaying trees and timber as a refuge and source of sustenance for many forms of wildlife, where compatible with considerations of safety and pest and disease control.

8 The RHS endorses the objectives of international systems to ensure that wood products originate from well-managed, credibly certified forests.