by Simon Frith 
An important issue with any timber is the sustainability of the trees being used.  Much timber these days comes from the Baltic states and it is possible that some is not sourced responsibly. End users have a duty to make sure that the timber they use is sustainable. There is a Forestry Stewardship Council qualification that provides a benchmark, which can be very useful, and there is also the French qualification ONF. However many small Welsh foresters and woodland owners may not be FSC registered, due to the cost, though that doesn't mean that they are not working ecologically. In these instances, asking is the only way of making sure that your green timber has been felled properly with a felling licence.

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