Great question—this is one we get a lot from landscape architects, parks departments, and eco-minded buyers. For most of our street benches, we use two main woods: FSC-certified European oak and thermally modified ash. Oak has been used outdoors for centuries because it is dense and naturally rich in tannins, so it resists rot and insects without chemical treatments. Thermally modified ash is a more modern choice: we heat it with steam to change the wood’s cell structure, making it dimensionally stable and rot-resistant without added biocides. Occasionally we build with black locust or reclaimed tropical hardwood if a project has specific structural or historical requirements, but those are exceptions rather than the default.
Yes, the wood is sustainably harvested. All of our virgin oak and ash comes from FSC- or PEFC-certified forests in Europe, usually within a few hundred miles of our workshop. We also use a percentage of reclaimed timber—such as old beams, storm-felled urban trees, and decommissioned boardwalks—when we can verify its origin and structural integrity. We do not buy uncertified tropical hardwoods or wood from unclear supply chains. Every batch is documented under EU Timber Regulation requirements, and we can provide chain-of-custody certificates on request.
One honest caveat: sustainably harvested does not mean zero impact. It means the forest is managed for regeneration, biodiversity, and long-term yield instead of clear-cut extraction. We try to reduce that impact further by designing benches with replaceable slats, proper drainage, and end-grain sealing so the timber lasts 20-plus years before it needs replacing. If you need a specific FSC grade or a fully reclaimed option, just ask—we can usually match it without compromising durability.