A Win for American Working Forests: Red Oak and National Security

The US Endowment for Forestry and Communities
January 27, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States, US East

The United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities is proud to celebrate a significant milestone for American working forests. The FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act … includes a provision encouraging the U.S. Department of Defense to rapidly transition from Southeast Asian apitong wood to domestically sourced red oak as the preferred material for military trailer decking. This marks a meaningful step toward sustainability, national security, and supporting local economies tied to forestry. “Our domestic hardwood industry has long set the standard for sustainability and security, and it stands ready to meet this vital need for the U.S. military,” said Pete Madden, president and CEO of the Endowment. For decades, apitong, a Southeast Asian hardwood, has been the material of choice for military trailer flooring. …Shifting to domestically sourced red oak ensures a reliable, sustainable supply chain free from geopolitical risks.

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