Sustainability: How We Stay True to Our Roots
A Natural Connection
When you've used a natural, renewable resource for 120 years, it only makes good sense to assure that the resource is available 120 years from now. That's why we are committed to sustainably harvesting trees and planting new ones so future generations can enjoy the unique appeal of wood furniture.
Throughout the years, we've maintained a reverence for the lumber nature gives us, as well as a keen awareness of and appreciation for the environment in which those resources flourish.
Stewards of Resources
Our BenchMade product line is crafted from oak and maple trees carefully harvested and milled in the Appalachian region. Computers scan the lumber and determine the absolute maximum yield we can get from each piece. Components are cut to use as much of the wood as possible.
You see, most of these trees have been growing for 80 years or more. It's going to take time to replace them. We have a responsibility to use as much of tree as possible.
The lumber we use is sourced from forests that are growing nearly 2 ½ times the rate of harvest and natural loss of trees combined, according to the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory Analysis. That means the number of trees is meeting present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.
Our lumber partners rigorously follow and respect sustainable forestry practices. And the parts of the tree that cannot be used for furniture are ground into chips to support other industries or used as fuel to heat and power factories.
Where We Take, We Put Back
We work with our sustainability partners to plant two trees for every BenchMade table, bed, cocktail table, and credenza you buy, with an average of 20,000+ trees planted each year. Since the introduction of BenchMade in 2015, we will have planted more than 138,000 trees!
And this isn't just acres of easy-to-grow white pine. We plant a variety of species, not just those used in our furniture, so that they grow side by side as they do in nature. By mixing the species as we plant, we ensure that a blight will not affect an entire forest. If one species is affected, the rest of trees on the land will continue to thrive and grow.
Planting Together for the Future
Each year a team of Bassett employees travel to the Appalachians to participate in the planting. It's not just a photo op. It's teaching our employees to value and respect of the resources we use and see our environment as something that needs to be cared for and protected.
Here are some thoughts from a few Bassett folks who've taken part in this hands-on experience:
"The saplings we planted were about 1 to 2 feet tall, and they were already 2 years old. It will take another 70-80 years before they mature into trees that can be harvested. This gave me a sense of pride in Bassett's commitment and a new appreciation for the natural history represented in each BenchMade product."
I was struck by the passion, knowledge, and commitment of our partners who carefully plant and nurture the trees as their families have done for generations before them. Not only is Bassett helping to sustain the environment with these plantings, but we're also sustaining the livelihoods of the families in these small communities.
What's humbling about tree plantings is knowing that the work being done will outlive us ... so that future generations, like four to six generations from now, will have the resource available to them."
Crafted by Artisans, Signed by Nature
The respect for the value of this natural resource continues as Bassett artisans craft the lumber into beautiful sustainable furniture. The varied grain patterns, range of color and natural markings seen in BenchMade products tell the story of the tree's life. Our Live Edge tops preserve the natural contours of the tree, creating a continual reminder of the beauty of the forest and the uniqueness of each tree.
Built to Last
By designing timeless styles, using premium materials, and practicing time-honored quality construction techniques, we ensure that our BenchMade products will last for generations. That's our goal, just as it was when the Company was founded. You can feel the quality in the furniture. Generous proportions. Precisely cut. Solidly built.
BenchMade products continue the legacy of quality that has sustained Bassett for years.
Interested in Learning More?
Our BenchMade story is just one example of our efforts to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, recycle materials, and sustain the environment.
Start Shopping
Tags: