I had a new one asked the
other day. It was so funny, I thought I had better post it here……..
This is the (Male) customer
speaking (not me)
“So, I was driving past
your yard & my mother in law was in the back seat telling me how to
drive. All of a sudden I saw your sign, “Arsenic Free”
Can I have some
please?”
Well, arsenic free means that our timber does
not have arsenic as part of the treatment process. It does not mean that we
give away free arsenic as a cure for unwanted pests!! Mother- in- laws
included!
So how do I get a free bottle of 2003 vintage cabernet blend?
Join our
free wine club to sign up for a monthly no obligation newsletter and
pricelist from our favourite winery. We think this wine is so good; we are
giving you a bottle to try.
Limit of
one per person – conditions apply
How do I join the Free Outdoor Timber Wine Club?
Call in
to our yard or drop us a line by email.
We will
join you up straight away and you pick up your FREE Bottle of wine from our
office
This is
not one of those clubs where you HAVE TO BUY a selection. All they do is
send a newsletter & price list. Just one catch – you can only buy
the wine club everyday drinking range if you are wine club member.
It is NOT
available in the shops
Can I burn EcoWood?
No. It is not recommended to
burn timber off cuts or sawdust
Please dispose of off cuts in approved landfill
What is Lattice?
Lattice is an arrangement of intersecting or overlapping
timber to form a screen or partition. Usually a lattice would be used for
privacy screening.
What is Trellis?
Trellis is a structure of timber, wire or similar used for
support. Usually a trellis would be used to grow some beans or cherry
tomatoes. I personally prefer sweet peas.
What is EcoWood?
EcoWood is the brand name for Tanalith E.
It is a modern, but time tested replacement for the old Copper Chrome Arsenate
treatment.
What a Kool name!!
Yes, it says it all. EcoWood is both Economical and is good for our Ecology. It is also made of wood
sourced from sustainable plantations. Timber is the only truly renewable
resource. It is relatively cheap, so you do not need to economise.
Does EcoWood contain arsenic?
No.
TANALISED® E is a new Copper Azole based timber
treatment incorporating copper and an organic azole co-biocide.
Why can arsenic be perceived to be a problem?
Health
We have
learnt that arsenic could be a potential hazard to our health and the
environment. This is why it is no longer used for children’s play
equipment, picnic tables or decking.
Although
it occurs naturally in local soils, foods we regularly eat and in other
areas of our general environment, it was found that prolonged exposure can
lead to increased residual toxicity in our fatty tissues.
For this
reason, it was considered favourable to exercise caution and reduce market
availability of products containing arsenic.
There are
many news items on this issue. Most are based on fear not fact.
Unfortunately, public perception is often treated with more credence than
scientific fact. However, with children, it is always best to err on the
side of caution. It is better never than too late.
Try some
of the following articles for a cross section of views:
There
have also been some local studies with may or may not have employed
scientific methodology, such as one completed by the Friend of the Earth
Melbourne. Their data is not up to date as it does not acknowledge the
superior EcoWood as an alternative to CCA. However, it is an unusually
balance précis of the CCA issue and surprisingly does attempt to
analyse alternatives.
Environmental
effect
It was
also found that there can be residual trace elements of CCA found in soils
in the immediate proximity of application.
For this
reason, it is fair to expect that there would be a certain amount of
run-off and leaching of chemical associated with any preservative chemical
over a period of time.
Some
environments are considered pristine, significant or sensitive and as such
are not suitable situations for the application of treated products containing
arsenic such as CCA treated pine.
Many
government departments are now employing a total ban on the use of CCA in
all projects.
We are in
an enviable position in being able to offer a full range of EcoWood treated
pine. EcoWood does not contain arsenic and is a suitable replacement for
CCA in most applications.
EcoWood
is a preferred alternative to CCA on many government projects. It has been
used to construct boardwalks in sensitive coastal national parks. It is
also approved for use by schools and kindergartens.
We are now a preferred supplier of
EcoWood plywood for major road projects.
Does EcoWood contain ammonia?
No.
Unlike ACQ, it does not have ammoniate
Should we avoid using ammonia?
Yes.
Many environmentalists
believe that increased use of ammonia has a detrimental effect on our
waterways, river, wetland and oceans. As the world is becoming more
urbanised, our natural systems are being stressed by chemicals such as
ammonia.
Ammonia
is thought to be a major contributing cause of waterway pollution. Any use
which may escape to the environment will compound the problem. Therefore,
avoid products containing ammonia.
For more
information on algal blooms and pollution visit the EPA at
Is EcoWood safe for children’s playgrounds &
vegetable gardens?
Yes.
EcoWood contains no arsenic or chromium.
It is fully approved for use under current legislation.
We are now a major supplier of sleepers for use in schools
& playgrounds in Victoria.
What paint or stain do you recommend?
We also recommend the organic Cooee range for sealing or
staining your timber.
All cooee products are approved for use by the BFA.
Please avoid any hydrocarbon or plastic based paint products -
they are bad for the environment.
VOC compounds have also been shown to cause cancer.
Too many people are too busy worried about minute traces of
chemical in treated pine that may or may not leak out, but TOTALLY IGNORE the risk involved with using paints containing VOC compounds.
For more information click on the following link:
I would be more worried about the known risks, not
the theoretical or perceived risks.
The only documented cases of people getting sick from CCA are
from (allegedly) inhaling smoke from illegally burning off cuts (Sydney council
worker) We are never told the whole truth!
Do I need expensive stainless steel fixings?
ACQ &
CCA salt treated timbers are more likely to need stainless steel fixings
For more
information, click on these links
http://www.treeisland.com/snapfiles/Corrosion_of_Fasteners_in_ACQ_Treated_Wood.ppt#266,12,Observations
& Results
http://www.hpo.bc.ca/PDF/Research/Reports/ACQWood.pdf
No. EcoWood does not contain corrosive ammoniate &
chloride compounds. Standard Hot Dipped Galvanised fixings are fine in most
applications.
Is timber environmentally friendly?
There is
a great misconception out there in society.
The
timber industry chops down trees and this is bad.
Not true!
Trees
regrow.
New trees
use more carbon dioxide and produce more life giving oxygen than old growth
trees.
Don’t
get me wrong, biodiversity is very important.
But the
facts are, most forests are regrowth –
either previously logged or destroyed by fire.
What
makes more sense?
- Harvesting trees from
forests, then replanting.
- Digging iron ore out
of the ground and using massive amounts of power to convert it to
steel.
The steel
industry would also like to make you think that their products are
recyclable. Yes they are - with
a huge carbon footprint
For more information about the
sustainability of timber, please click on the following link
Why does the timber industry get blamed for actions of land
clearers?
Simple
really.
Like the
silent majority of Australians – we are all too busy working and
paying taxes (paying for overeducated individuals to tell us how to think)
Emotive
pictures of BIG bulldozers frolicking in CLEAR FELLED fields are enough to
scare anyone into thinking THE SKY IS FALLING. Well this chicken little
knows that you can be 100% sure that if the timber industry cleared the
land – they-are-a-gunna plant some trees!
It is
extremely insulting to paint the industry as being full of red necks. Sum ov uz r
vary smert!
The
Australian timber industry is based on the whole concept of sustainability.
Quite
simple really.
No trees
= no wood
No wood =
no timber
No timber
= no industry
Many
private land owners have been clearing land since white settlement, for a
variety of reasons, but mostly for grazing or broad acre farming.
There is
a misconception amongst our farmers that trees are a waste of space on
“their” land and as such, they will consider most trees to be
weeds.
The
lessons should have been learned by the previous generations. Much of Australia
is too arid and is marginal at best to be farming land. The deserts are
creeping towards the coast and were long before white settlement. Drought
is nothing new in our wide brown land. It was there BEFORE global warming
became the vested interest topic of the millennium. We
cannot use European farming method here – it does not work!
We must
work with what we have to survive. Pick a fight with nature and nature will
always win.
More
recently, through education and experience, some farmers have come to
realise that trees are essential to maintain windbreaks, the water table,
reduce erosion and provide habitat for native animals.
In the
long term PRODUCTIVITY
WILL ACTUALLY INCREASE!
Can I do something about land clearing?
Yes,
there are 2 main ways
- Buy plantation timber products.
Many timber plantations are replacing previous
pastures and farmland. Some farmland is at best marginal. Studies have
shown that forests actually encourage rainfall.
(It is all to do with the shade of green – this
is true – really!!!)
- Educate your government
Encourage retention of native flora and fauna,
through managing native forests and NOT locking them up as national parks
to become breeding grounds for feral animals
Do not build houses on prime farming land.
Encourage timber plantation investment
Protest about unregulated land clearing
See the following link for more information
http://www.wilderness.org.au/campaigns/landclearing/
I do not agree
with all the views of the wilderness society, but in the words of Midnight
Oil – “sometimes you have to take the hardest line”
(Power & the Passion)
It is all
about balance! Even Peter Garrett has learnt this the hard way!
ENOUGH POLITICS!!
I am here to sell timber!
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