Ipe hardwood is a responsibly harvested material that grows to a 
full height of about 120-150 feet in about thirty years. The best growing region in the world for Ipe hardwood is located in Northern Brazil. Over the past ten to fifteen years, the Brazilian government has created special agencies and has severely cracked down on illegal harvesting and cutting of Ipe and has imposed harsh fines and legislation. The results have been astounding; Ipe and other high density hardwood species are now harvested in an eco-friendly using sustainable yield forestry practices. Any supplier who does not fully comply with the rigorous harvesting standards can be shut down or face severe penalties.
All areas in Brazil where Ipe is harvested (called Projects) are controlled, monitored 
and protected. Only two to three trees per hectare (about 1 tree per acre) may be harvested over the fifteen year harvesting period within a project. This responsible harvesting method of Ipe and other woods allows a little more light into the forest canopy and helps the flora and fauna of the forest to flourish. Every tree in each parcel within a forest project is marked and numbered. Only the selected trees (Ipe or other hardwood species) may be harvested. This environmentally friendly method of Ipe harvesting ensures that there as many trees at the end of a project harvesting cycle as there were at the beginning.
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BAMA, SEMA and EMBRAPA are three environmentally responsible government agencies in Brazil who monitor the logging activities for Ipe and other hardwood species. Their primary job is to protect the natural resources and environment of Brazil and its ecological effects beyond Brazil. These responsible 
agencies are firm believers (as am I) in sustainable yield forestry practices. It makes no sense to harvest recklessly or irresponsibly. It is just as easy to do it right. It makes good environmental policy and also has a short term and long term economic benefit to Brazil and the rest of the world. In Brazil, any wood that is harvested by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) suppliers, must meet all of these stringent IBAMA/SEMA criteria as well.
Ipe is such an amazing, all natural hardwood species that works great for long lasting exterior projects. It is important that the truth about this useful and important hardwood decking species be known. Occasionally, when you hear some people who may or may not have good intentions, make uninformed and false claims about the harvesting practices of Ipe and other tropical decking species, it makes me all the more determined to make sure the truth gets out. I believe everyone benefits when we know all of us to learn the facts before forming any of our opinions or making assumptions.
All Mataverde Premium hardwood decking species are harvested by sustainable yield forestry practices, including IBAMA/SEMA and/or FSC Chain of Custody Certification. To learn more about Ipe hardwood and environmentally friendly harvesting solutions, please follow any of the links below:
Ipe Decking Compared to Synthetic Decking
Other Sustainably Harvested Hardwood Decking Species
To download the information-packed FREE whitepaper, "The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Sustainable Decking", please click the button below. This authoritative Free Decking Guide provides lots of factual information about Ipe decking, Synthetic decking and other decking material options.
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