Parawood, and rainforest destruction

A. Sorry, Kathy, but I can't quite understand that "either/or" proposition :-)

Isn't is possible that neither statement is true or that both are true? Could you please rephrase your question so I understand your thinking a bit better? Thanks!

A. The parawood industry here in Thailand does not contribute in any way to the destruction of rainforests in the south of country (where the bulk of trees are grown).

Trees stop producing rubber after about 20-30 years and previously were cut down and destroyed. The furniture industry is relatively new in the country and represents an excellent way for plantation owners to make profitable use of otherwise unproductive trees. Furniture thus produced is reasonably strong, attractive, and considerably cheaper than similar pieces made from other locally harvested timbers (especially plantation teak).

Concerns about environmental damage or degradation are of course always important, and in this respect one would be well advised to look closely at the many American companies who choose to import teak (both raw timber and furniture products) from Burma (Myanmar). Incidentally, the reply from the individual who asked you to rephrase your question strikes me as being pedantic in the extreme.

2003 Thanks for answering the student's question, cousin John. This is a metal finishing site, but we often get student questions which involve science projects or environmental issues. So I knew nothing at all about parawood -- had never even heard the word -- and my question was sincere. The student asked if parawood contributed to the destruction of the rain forest OR was only used in furniture. I didn't like to see a student start a project by accepting as a given that if a material is used only in furniture that its use automatically cannot be environmentally problematic -- so I was honestly asking her if she was asserting that as a given or if I was misunderstanding what she was saying. Teachers frequently ask us to "tell the student to do their own homework", so, rather than answering their questions, we often just try to make sure they fully understand the questions. A candid reader could likewise choose to consider your aside about American companies, teak, and Burma either as an attempt to further open the student's mind to challenging her givens, or as an example of the pedantry you seemed to have been on the hunt for :-) Thanks again. Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey My sincere thanks to both Mr. Deakinn and Mr. Mooney for the informative yet amusing dialogue. I not only learned what Parawood is but I also learned a new word - "pedantic"! Who could have guessed that checking in at finishing.com would be so much fun? I must make a mental note to return for I truly hope that the two of you will find reason to publicly communicate some more! Bravo! Carl Tomforde - Princeton, Massachusetts 2004

A. Hi, Lowell.

Although I have no expertise in that subject, some googling tells me that these woods have little in common except their geographical area of origin; ramin seems to be used for narrow purposes like dowels and picture frames where its straight grain and its good glue-ability make it ideal.

Regards,