Lumber and FSC

We took delivery on our materials yesterday, and Paddock's crew has started by bringing it inside. What Flip and I have discovered during this process is that lumber that is sustainably forested is readily available but not easily verified. What we have found is that the "FSC" (Forest Stewardship Council) label, which says that the lumber is responsibly harvested, has become the lumber industry's new "pet rock."

In several incidences, the same lumber (same stamp, same source, same wood, same packaging, same vendor) comes. One has the FSC label, one does not. The FSC labeled product is more expensive than the other. Why the upcharge? Both bundles look like they had the same genesis. Those of us buying the lumber can't tell, and it all goes by the word and certification of some unseen committee. So buyer beware. Unless you can trace it back to the woods where it all started, chances are you'll never know.