I.

Introduction

Forest Industry, industry that supplies wood, paper, chemicals, energy, and other products from trees. The forest industry includes the lumber industry, which encompasses the various businesses that convert trees, or timber, into lumber products. People use products of the forest industry in numerous aspects of their lives. Lumber and plywood are used to construct many homes and business facilities, which are furnished with tables, chairs, desks, and other furniture made from wood. Paper is used for newspapers, magazines, and books. Wood utility poles often support the wires that deliver electric and telephone service. Commerce is dependent on wood containers and pallets, as well as paperboard packaging. The chemical industry uses wood as a base product for making turpentine, rayon, food flavorings, and cellophane tape. In many countries, people depend on wood for heating and cooking fuel.

In 2002, 3.38 billion cu m (119 billion cu ft) of wood were harvested from forests worldwide. Of this amount, 54 percent was burned for fuel and 46 percent was manufactured into wood products, such as lumber and paper. Even excluding wood burned for fuel, the total weight of wood harvested worldwide each year exceeds the total weight of metals, concrete, and plastics consumed worldwide each year.

Wood is an indispensable material for many reasons. Forests are widely distributed, making wood abundant and accessible. Wood can be cut and processed with relatively simple technologies. However, more advanced technologies make it possible to cut and process wood more efficiently. Forests are a renewable resource that can be replanted after being harvested. Furthermore, the variety of tree species that grow worldwide provides wood with a wide range of strength, durability, and other physical and mechanical properties, as well as visually attractive grains, textures, and colors.