Sawmills Are Inexplicably Tied To Rural Communities
One thing is certain about sawmills, especially in rural parts of the United States: they are often home to a variety of good jobs for local people. These jobs can range from equipment operators, loggers, administrative roles, and more. These roles are vital for building and maintaining the local economy, especially in small towns and cities around the US.
Historically, sawmills were extremely important for small towns. In fact, in Wilkes, NC, where Church and Church Lumber Company is based, prior sawmills were some of the major employers of the area. At one point, the Giant Lumber Company of Wilkes employed more than 200 people at a time when the town of North Wilkesboro had only 700 people living in it.
While things have changed over the years, the lumber industry can make up a huge part of a local economy, touching truck drivers, foresters, mills, and logging companies along the way.
Buying Local Lumber is Good for the Environment
There are plenty of environmental advantages to using locally sourced lumber. Primarily, it significantly reduces the carbon footprint.
When wood products are bought from across the country, that lumber has to travel, and currently, there are very few ways to transport large amounts of product without releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. When you source wood locally, you can drastically cut down on these transportation emissions.
Locally sourced wood often comes from responsibly managed forests. This ensures sustainable growth and harvesting, which supports biodiversity and maintains ecological balance within a region. Local communities will often care more about where and how timber is harvested rather than buying from companies that may or may not have the health of the environment at the top of mind.
Regional Lumber Companies Are Your Neighbors
One of the biggest benefits of working with your local sawmill is that you have the opportunity to actually get to know where you are getting your lumber products from. This is massive in trust building. When you work with a company from out of town, there is no way to hold them accountable for business practices that could harm the environment or their workers.
However, when working directly with a sawmill that is local to your community, you can ensure that the wood you are purchasing is sustainably sourced, and workers are treated fairly. These people are your neighbors and should be looked after as such.
Local Sourcing Promotes Pride
There is something to be said about being able to be proud of where something comes from. This is especially meaningful when it comes to lumber. Contractors can brag about building homes from locally sourced lumber, and furniture makers can join in on the farm-to-table movement in their own special way. This sense of pride can make a profound impact on communities that see that the trees are being used in meaningful ways.
Furthermore, sourcing local wood helps preserve local landscapes and ecosystems. These things come under threat from large commercial logging operations all the time. When working with your local sawmill, it encourages the community to look deeper into sustainable forestry practices rather than large-scale hack-and-slash operations.
Regional Lumber Celebrates Local Species
Different regions across the United States and the world are home to a variety of wood species that may only exist in that singular region. Lucky for us at Church and Church Lumber Company, we are located in Northwest North Carolina, which is home to very diverse forests that include trees such as:
- White Oak: A heavy, high-density hardwood known for its strength and long-term durability. It machines cleanly and holds up well in demanding environments, making it a reliable choice for furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, mouldings, and cooperage, including barrel staves.
- Northern Red Oak: A strong, dependable hardwood with a consistent grain pattern and solid wear resistance. Commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and a wide range of interior wood applications.
- Hickory: One of the hardest and most shock-resistant domestic hardwoods. Frequently selected for tool handles, ladders, cabinetry, and other applications where toughness and impact resistance are critical.
- White Ash: Recognized for its straight grain and light to medium brown color, White Ash offers a balance of strength and flexibility. It is widely used for furniture, flooring, and tool handles due to its durability and workability.
- Cherry: A high-end hardwood prized for its rich color that deepens over time and its smooth finishing qualities. Often used in fine furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, boat interiors, and musical instruments.
- Beech: A light-toned hardwood with subtle pink or brown hues and good bending properties. Common uses include veneer, flooring, crates, and turned wood components.
- Yellow Poplar: A versatile and economical hardwood that machines easily and takes paint and finish well. Regularly used for doors, paneling, mouldings, furniture parts, and light construction.
- White Pine: A softwood valued for its lightweight structure, straight grain, and ease of machining. It works well for millwork, trim, paneling, shelving, and painted furniture, offering a clean, consistent surface.
- Loblolly Pine: A fast-growing southern pine known for its strength and availability. It is commonly used in construction, framing, plywood, and general utility applications, and can also be machined for interior trim and millwork when a durable softwood is needed.
Support Local Sawmills
Your local sawmill is a vital part of your community. They provide jobs, wood products for builders and manufacturers, and sustainably harvest timber. If you are looking to make the move from big box wood products to a local sawmill, connect with us at Church and Church Lumber Company.