Over time, there has been an increasing choice of outdoor decking made from Ipe. A dense and durable tropical hardwood, Although every type of logging raises environmental concerns, using ipe wood for decking is considered one of the most sustainable timber harvesting forms.
Here are some reasons why:
Ipe trees are so abundant because they grow very fast. Slow-growth domestic hardwoods may take decades or even centuries to mature. At the same time, Ipe trees are usually ready for harvesting within 15-30 years, thus fostering ‘tree farming’ where more trees are constantly being replanted to replace those harvested.
Only mature Ipes are selectively cut. Logging operations abide by the rulebook by only taking out mature logs above specific diameters, allowing the young ones to grow naturally. Selective cutting enables older targeted trees, promoting a healthy age distribution and regeneration in the remaining forest.
A little bit goes a long way with ipe wood. Even large decks use relatively few ipe boards due to their exceptional density and durability. Yield strength is high; oil content is high; therefore, it is more than three times resistant to rot and insects compared to teak, which means lesser total forestry area disturbed per installed square foot of ipe decking Florida.
Mostly salvaged wood is used in supply. Many ipe decks come from previously cleared areas such as farmlands or ranches. Instead, this would remain waste or be burnt if not because it can be reused, avoiding wastefulness in terms of felling additional trees for other purposes. Fractional ratios for cleared versus unharmed forests also depend on local law.
Ipe forestry is low-impact and sustainable. By selectively extracting identified trees but leaving the surrounding forest unaffected, these workers walk into remote areas rather than using heavy machinery. Responsible operations also actively reforest and monitor tree growth to preserve future stock.
Ipe lasts five times longer than alternatives, thereby cutting demand for it. A well-maintained ipe deck can last 40 years or even more; hence, less decking gets dumped in landfills, thus, over time, reducing environmental impacts associated with manufacturing, shipping, and installing new decks every 5-10 years, commonly done with less durable woods.
Locals benefit from the productive use of the land. Due to responsible IPE forestry, local people are provided with a source of employment while the government earns substantial taxes and export revenues in developing areas. Forests managed for logging add value to the land apart from just poaching rare species.
Summing up
To avoid deforestation, sourcing quality Ipe decking material from reliable suppliers promotes sustainable tropical forestry. Durable decking material can be produced using Ipe’s unique features through active tree farms surrounding selective harvesting practices supported by intense reforestation efforts.
