Hi Addison

Not to get into this discussion on either side, but, I believe the problem with the deforestation folks is that ANY tree that grows provides Oxygen to the world at large. The more they cut down, the less oxygen production there is world wide, thus causing air quality problems. It has nothing to do with what type of tree or it's value in monetary or visual effect. Cutting it down to make room for a different type tree is kind of a mute point, depending on how long the production of Oxygen is delayed by the new growth. In South America, for instance, where they are cutting down thousands of acres a day to build drug producing farms,or population centers as in our own country and others, it is incredible the damage they are doing in the name of progress ( population boom ). Not to mention the wild life they are driving to extinction and other concerns. Reforestation is taking place in this and other countries around the world, but, not at near the rate of the destruction being done elsewhere.

I personally don't like seeing any tree cut down, but, even the wood that Tig speaks of was cut down to aid in progress at some point and now is laying waste. It would be nice to see such wood put to good use, but...... we all want to put our best into what we are building and trying to create a work of art and using cast offs is sometimes self defeating.

I'm not saying that cutting one more tree down at this point is or isn't going to be the straw that breaks the camels back, but, It is food for thought. When and if you cut that tree down, plant two to take it's place. ??? A cure, I don't know, but, it would be a nice gesture.

Just as an example of how bad it's getting, and I'm speaking from a different viewpoint here, but, basically addressing the same issue, we in Fresno are cutting our own throats in the name of progress. This valley used to be one of the biggest fruit and vegetable producing areas in the United States. All the best production areas were around the rivers and lakes because of the water supply. Where do you think they are building all the new housing we need. The city is expanding outward into all the prime farmland taking out all of the best land to build houses on, while the middle of town is rotting and falling into decay. Soon, the reason everyone moves here in the first place won't even exist any more. They are knocking down all the trees and burying the farm land under concrete. The air polution is getting so bad that we need warnings about two or three times a week to stay indoors.

This is getting way off topic and I need to get back to bill paying, but, that is the idea behind using existing materials when and where you can. ???

We who buy at the local lumber yard or where ever, are doing no less damage than you would be. The lumber we use will be replaced in their stock bins by cutting down another tree as well. It's a bit of a no-win situation, but, planting another tree sometime, somewhere would be kool. :)

Rehd ( whew )