I definitely agree with preserving old growth trees, but it's kind of sad what lousy lumber we have to use now. In the 80's, I had a lumber yard manager who was getting me old growth fir for FRAMING lumber. It was so nice that it could be milled for interior trim and what a joy to use for framing, it started out and stayed straight, unlike the trash we use today. I grew up seeing that kind of fir for trim - my grandfather built a house in 1918 and what beautiful finish carpentry was possible with that straight grained, knot free material. Sadly, like salmon and other fish, we have overharvested in the extreme and are suffering for it now.
I'm not sure all of the hundreds of lawsuits are appropriate, but I haven't studied it, so have no comment on that.
__________________
 Scott, Portland, OR '85 V-20 I/O, Merc 170
|