As with many parts of the state, Northwest North Carolina has experienced a huge boost in population. Most of this population increase is centered around the college town of Boone, North Carolina, which is home to Appalachian State University, a rich food and beverage scene, and one of the most beautiful mountain towns in North Carolina. 

Northwest North Carolina is truly a special place. There is tons of historical significance as Daniel Boone made his home here before moving to Kentucky. Indigenous tribes used the area as hunting grounds, and in some cases settled along the Yadkin, Reddies, and Watauga Rivers. The Blue Ridge Parkway also crosses through much of Northwest North Carolina. 

Most notably, Northwest NC features some of the most rugged terrain that is accessible for hiking, rock climbing, and some of the best mountain biking in the country. Trail systems such as Wilson Creek, Rocky Knob, and a multitude of lift-assisted bike/ski resorts get people outside year-round. 

One of the most unique industries that can be found in the region is Christmas tree farming, bringing tens of millions of dollars of revenue to farmers throughout Ashe, Avery, and Watauga counties. 

With such a massive influx of population, many contractors are building houses as fast as they can, with new builders popping up every year. This growth of the construction industry has garnered a demand for premium lumber products. 

While many contractors may purchase lumber from big box stores and building supply depots, working directly with a sawmill can save time and money, as well as ensure the quality of lumber from start to finish of a project. Church and Church Lumber Company is located in the heart of Northwest North Carolina, in Wilkes County. Here are a few reasons why we are the perfect sawmill to serve Northwest North Carolina contractors and manufacturers.

Three Reasons We Are Your Sawmill of Choice in Northwest North Carolina

1. Church And Church Lumber Company is Local

While many big box lumber sellers import wood from around the world, Church and Church sources and mills wood right here in Northwest North Carolina. Our facilities in Wilkes County provide a variety of products for just about any application possible. 

From rough-sawn 2x4s to carefully milled and planed high-end hardwood lumber, our mill can take care of any need that you may have as a contractor or manufacturer when it comes to wood products. Not only do we mill, plane, and distribute wood locally, but much of our timber comes from local landowners in and around Northwest North Carolina. 

2. Church and Church Sawmill Take Quality Seriously

Our state-of-the-art sawmill supplies the highest quality Appalachian lumber for domestic and international customers. We carefully source and grade wood products to fit a variety of applications using grading systems approved by the NHLA. 

The grading rules established by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) provide a standardized system for evaluating the quality and yield of hardwood lumber. These rules classify lumber based on the amount of clear, defect-free wood that can be cut from a board, helping buyers and sellers maintain consistent expectations across the hardwood industry. 

Grades such as FAS (Firsts and Seconds), Select, No. 1 Common, and No. 2 Common are determined by factors including board size, percentage of usable cuttings, knots, splits, wane, and other natural characteristics.

Higher grades contain larger areas of clear wood suited for fine furniture, cabinetry, architectural millwork, and other appearance-focused applications, while lower grades are commonly used for flooring, pallets, rustic products, or shorter cut parts. NHLA grading focuses on the potential yield of usable material rather than appearance alone, making it an important standard for sawmills, distributors, manufacturers, and woodworking professionals throughout the hardwood supply chain.

3. Our Sawmill Provides a Variety of Species of Marketable Lumber

Appalachia is home to some of the most biodiverse forests in the world. Many of these forests have 100s of tree species that are useful in construction and manufacturing applications. At Church and Church Lumber Company, we source only the best. Some of the species of lumber that we source include:

• Ash: A strong, shock-resistant hardwood known for its straight grain and excellent workability. Commonly used for tool handles, flooring, furniture, millwork, and athletic equipment.
• Hard Maple: A dense, durable hardwood prized for its hardness and clean appearance. Often selected for flooring, butcher blocks, cabinetry, furniture, and high-wear surfaces.
• Northern Red Oak: A heavy, open-grained hardwood recognized for its strength and versatility. Widely used for cabinetry, flooring, furniture, stair parts, and architectural millwork.
• White Oak: A dense, durable hardwood with excellent moisture resistance and a tight grain pattern. Common applications include flooring, furniture, exterior millwork, cabinetry, and barrel production.
• Walnut: A premium hardwood valued for its rich brown color, stability, and attractive grain. Commonly used for fine furniture, gunstocks, cabinetry, and high-end interior woodworking.
• Poplar: A lightweight hardwood that machines easily and accepts paint well. Frequently used for painted cabinetry, mouldings, millwork, furniture frames, and utility applications.
• Cherry: A smooth, fine-grained hardwood known for its warm reddish color that deepens with age. Popular for furniture, cabinetry, architectural woodwork, and decorative interior applications.
• Sycamore: A hardwood recognized for its unique flecked grain pattern and interlocked texture. Often used for furniture components, butcher blocks, paneling, and specialty millwork.
• Beech: A hard, strong hardwood with a uniform texture and excellent bending properties. Common uses include furniture, flooring, tool handles, plywood cores, and industrial components.
• Hickory: One of the hardest and most impact-resistant North American hardwoods. Frequently used for flooring, tool handles, cabinetry, ladder rungs, and rustic furniture applications.
• Chestnut: A lightweight, durable hardwood traditionally valued for its natural decay resistance and rustic character. Often used for reclaimed lumber projects, barn wood, siding, and custom furniture.

Church and Church Lumber Company - Your Choice for Sawmills in Northwest North Carolina

If you are a contractor or manufacturer looking to source quality lumber for your next project, look no further than Church and Church Lumber Company. Our sawmill has been sourcing and milling high-quality hardwoods and pine for four generations, and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon. 

Ready to connect? Reach out to us today!