“ This could create significant potential for growth in many regions of West Virginia where yellow poplar is an abundant species ,” he says .
Other potential ventures include wood nanoparticles , thermally modified lumber for decks and other outdoor uses , wood as biomass for energy production and the production of wood ethanol and its byproduct , biochar , as a soil additive in plant nurseries and greenhouses , which retains carbon in the landscape . High-quality biochar is being used in some parts of the world in the carbon metal manufacturing process , according to Carlson .
As the movement toward using environmentally friendly products gains more and more momentum , the use of hardwood products should increase with it .
“ When a mature tree is harvested and made into products such as flooring , the carbon in that wood is trapped ,” explains Morris . “ Younger trees absorb more carbon than mature trees . Harvesting mature trees allows for younger trees to grow , absorbing more carbon , producing more oxygen and effectively cleaning the air . With managed forest practices , West Virginia has the opportunity to be a leading producer of sustainable hardwoods indefinitely .”
As state and federal leaders continue to discuss and develop laws and regulations regarding solutions to climate change , another potential opportunity — and challenge — for West Virginia ’ s forest products companies lies in navigating the carbon market and the impact of carbon credits .
As competition increases for alternative , non-renewable materials such as vinyl and plastics to be made into products that imitate real American hardwood , some companies may be considering entering into a carbon contract . Meant to decrease timber harvesting , companies and organizations offer carbon contracts to landowners in West Virginia . Forest owners can receive payment in exchange for leaving their forests untouched in an effort to accumulate as much carbon as possible .
“ Landowners can , under some contracts , still harvest the annual growth off their forest , rather than roll it into the carbon contract , which allows the landowner to consider both markets when trying to maximize revenue off the site ,” says McNeel .
As the Mountain State ’ s forest products companies chase new markets , invest in opportunities for growth and navigate the challenges of a post-pandemic world , the state ’ s abundant natural resources continue to provide beauty and promise in every corner of Almost Heaven . •
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