Northern Forests to Timber Cities

The project is a partnership between GOA and the Northern Forest Center (NFC), to develop and demonstrate new and emerging forest products and supply chains that link underutilized northern forests and rural workforces to the region’s growing demand for dense, sustainable urban construction.

Over the duration of our Wood Innovation Grant, GOA has undertaken a wide range of research, development, design, education, and demonstration efforts to expand the potential for regionally-sourced timber products in mid-rise, urban construction in the Northeast US. By leveraging and building partnerships with academic institutions, the design and construction industry, private developers, and government agencies, we have contributed to the growing momentum of an emergent mass timber industry in New England and New York.

While significant attention and investment nationally is going to advanced manufacturing for cross-laminated timber, the species mix and structural properties of Northern Forest wood fiber are not particularly well suited for cross-laminated timber production, at least not at a scale or density that addresses current the significant overstock of low-grade fiber in Northeast forests. Critically, any investments in regional processing facilities should aspire to take advantage of the approximately 4 million tons of underutilized wood fiber in Northern Forests once fed the pulp and paper industry. Incorporating low-grade wood into durable, value-added timber building assemblies is a critical priority for the region’s environmental and ecological health.