“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavour.” —Thoreau

The ​moral concept​ behind Lumbery is based upon the CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY model championed by Yvonne Chouniard, founder of Patagonia. It asks a few basic questions; where did this item come from and what are the social, environmental and economical impacts associated with this item.

In the case of Patagonia it can relate to a shirt. Where was the cotton grown? Who picked it? Where was it processed? How are the workers treated and who benefits from the mill or factory? And how was it transported and from where?

In our case it relates to wood because at some point all the wood we sell was once a tree in a forest​. (This is obvious but it seems important to say.)​ We ask the questions: Where was this tree located? Whose land was it on? Is the forest sustainable? Who cut the tree down? Who transported the tree and from where? Where is the mill, who owns and benefits from the mill, and what does the mill do with its waste ​(check out or partner mills)​? And finally, how did the wood get to our store? ​(Coming soon: Our Choices We Make page where you will learn more about the lumber industry and Maine forestry.)

We live in the Pine Tree State but traditionally much of the wood consumers purchase comes from away.

photo of Maine lumber in the sun and snowThe ​practical concept​ behind Lumbery is based upon demand and “demand”, in our case, is a coming together of many factors:

  1. Our economy inspires building and growth
  2. There is not a single place to buy a piece of wood or sheetrock within a 30 minute radius of our store.
  3. The quality of product and customer service at the box stores is underwhelming.
  4. Consumers are learning that choices have impacts. Even the simple choice of purchasing a 2×4.
  5. Consumers are learning the benefits of buying local and building community.
  6. The do-it-yourselfers have arrived!!!

The ​moral concept​ behind Lumbery is based upon the CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY model championed by Yvonne Chouniard, founder of Patagonia. It asks a few basic questions; where did this item come from and what are the social, environmental and economical impacts associated with this item.

In the case of Patagonia it can relate to a shirt. Where was the cotton grown? Who picked it? Where was it processed? How are the workers treated and who benefits from the mill or factory? And how was it transported and from where?

In our case it relates to wood because at some point all the wood we sell was once a tree in a forest​. (This is obvious but it seems important to say.)​ We ask the questions: Where was this tree located? Whose land was it on? Is the forest sustainable? Who cut the tree down? Who transported the tree and from where? Where is the mill, who owns and benefits from the mill, and what does the mill do with its waste ​(check out or partner mills)​? And finally, how did the wood get to our store? ​(Visit our Choices We Make page to learn more about the lumber industry and Maine forestry.)
photo of Maine lumber in the sun and snow

We live in the Pine Tree State but traditionally much of the wood consumers purchase comes from away.

The ​practical concept​ behind Lumbery is based upon demand and “demand”, in our case, is a coming together of many factors:

  1. Our economy inspires building and growth
  2. There is not a single place to buy a piece of wood or sheetrock within a 30 inute radius of our store.
  3. The quality of product and customer service at the box stores is nderwhelming.
  4. Consumers are learning that choices have impacts. Even the simple choice of urchasing a 2×4.
  5. Consumers are learning the benefits of buying local and building community.
  6. The do-it-yourselfers have arrived!!!

Maine Wood is Good Wood!