Southland Maple Beech, also known as New Zealand silver beech, has a rich history interwoven with the local Waitutu iwi and the development of sustainable forestry practices in New Zealand. It is one of the five beech species indigenous to Aotearoa, and New Zealand’s only FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified native timber.

Located at the southern tip of the South Island are the Longwood and Rowallan forests, a collection of indigenous forestry blocks abundant with Southland Maple Beech — the name unique to the beech from this area. It is from these forests that Timberline sources the beautiful timber, harvested by New Zealand forestry suppliers Lindsay & Dixon.

Lindsay & Dixon gained their FSC certification in 2004, which outlines a set of operational requirements to ensure the ongoing sustainable management and harvesting of timber. These include principles such as: improvement of social and economic well-being for both workers and local communities; upholding the rights of indigenous peoples; maintenance, conservation, and restoration of forest ecosystem services and environmental values; and mitigating negative environmental impacts.

“Lindsay & Dixon have been preaching sustainability for almost 30 years. Right from the get-go they advocated for FSC certification to ensure that they can protect their pristine forests for future generations — not just for Lindsay & Dixon, but also because they were so involved with the Waitutu iwi and it was something that is important to them.

As a result, the specification of Southland Maple Beech has significant social, cultural, and environmental benefits. The growth, management, and regeneration of the forest is improved; local iwi receive financial benefits that are reinvested in regional tourism and commerce; and the building industry has ongoing access to an invaluable renewable resource.

Aside from its sustainability credentials, Southland Maple Beech rightfully earned the title of Timberline’s interior timber of choice for its beauty and versatility. Well suited and widely used in interior wall, ceiling, and flooring applications, Southland Maple Beech is available in a variety of profiles and sizes — and can be customised to suit unique project requirements. As a dimensionally stable timber, it machines well and achieves a high-quality finish with minimal sanding.