American Softwoods (AMSO) is a promotional partnership formed by three major U.S. softwood trade associations, the Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA), the Softwood Export Council (SEC) and APA – the Engineered Wood Association.  The campaign encourages the use of American softwoods for both internal and external projects and increase awareness of its commercially available species. AMSO also works with the timber trade, providing technical information and assistance to develop the market for American softwoods. The campaign has been active in the UK for many years, and was relaunched this year by new program director Charles Trevor, timber marketing communications and management specialist and former managing director of wood for good.
 
American softwoods are grown in the Western, Southeastern and Northeastern states of the United States. Renowned for their strength, flexibility, versatility and beauty, they have been exported for almost 200 years. Harvested from sustainably managed forests in the USA, the success of forest management and conservation in the USA means that the area of forested land is now greater than it was 75 years ago. Forests occupy an area equal in size to Germany and France combined and more than 4.5 million trees are planted or seeded naturally every day.
 
The diverse end uses of American Softwoods include industrial, commercial, structural and domestic applications. Much of the US softwood exported is for interior applications, such as doors, windows, picture frames, mouldings, flooring, panelling, and other millwork - a prime destination for Southern yellow pine, Eastern white pine and fir species. Furniture components and edge-glued panels are also key uses for softwood lumber. Western species, such as Douglas fir and hemlock in clear grades are prized in Europe for wood window and door stock as well as for window frames.
 
For external applications such as decking, pressure-treated Southern yellow pine is a prime choice. It is a cost-effective way to build a deck, gazebo, fence or other garden structures. Ninety per cent of treated wood in the US is Southern yellow pine. Its unique cellular structure permits deep penetration of preservatives, providing long-lasting protection from decay and insect attack. In 2009, 10 million cubic metres of Southern pine was treated to satisfy the growing demand for this proven product. Southern yellow pine is ideal for both deck structures and surface decking. American Softwoods are responsibly managed and harvested, and many members are able to supply timber certified by one of the main certifying bodies, including FSC, PEFC, SFI the American Tree Farm System and ISO 14001.
 
For information on American Softwoods, contact Charles Trevor, director, American Softwoods at info@americansoftwoods.com or 020 8444 0885.

American Softwood Partners
 
Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA)
SFPA was founded in 1915 as the Southern Pine Association. Today, SFPA is recognized as one of the foremost trade organisations in the forest products industry and represents Southern Pine lumber manufacturers from the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. SFPA's member companies produce about 43% of the Southern Pine lumber in the United States.
 
APA – The Engineered Wood Association
APA was founded in 1933 as the Douglas Fir Plywood Association, and was later recognised as the American Plywood Association. APA members are comprised of well-known industry leaders, whose mills produce the majority of the structural wood panel products manufactured in North America, plus a host of engineered wood products that include glued laminated timber (glulam), composite panels, wood I-joists, and structural composite lumber.
 
Softwood Export Council (SEC)
The SEC is a trade council of U.S. softwood grading agencies, industry trade associations, state export promotional development agencies, and others interested in promotion of U.S. softwood internationally. The SEC aids American exports of softwood products by providing information and assistance to agents, importers, designers, and users of these products in other countries. Through trade association and grading agency members, SEC represents softwood exporters of lumber, veneer, mouldings and millwork and component products. Member grading agencies of the Softwood Export Council (SEC) are:

• Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau
• West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
• Western Wood Products Association
• Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers