The forest: where everypiece of woodwork begins

Before cladding the walls of a home, supporting a roof, highlighting the volumes of a ceiling, or becoming an elegant decorative moulding, wood is first and foremost a tree. And that tree is the product of a complex ecosystem, shaped over decades, sometimes even centuries.

Few people realize it, but French forests have never been as extensive as they are today in several hundred years. Nearly one-third of metropolitan France is now covered by forests, representing approximately 17 million hectares. This area has more than doubled since the middle of the 19th century.

Around 1840, French forests covered only about 8 million hectares. The demand for agricultural land, firewood, and the needs of early industry had significantly reduced forested areas. With rural depopulation, the gradual abandonment of certain cultivated lands, and large-scale reforestation policies implemented during the 20th century, forests slowly reclaimed vast territories.

Each region therefore has its own characteristic tree species, adapted to local soils, climate, and history. In eastern France and the Jura Mountains, conifers such as spruce, fir, and Douglas fir dominate, alongside beech. These species are widely used in construction and furniture making.

Along the Atlantic coast, vast stands of maritime pine thrive, particularly in the Landes region, home to the largest man-made forest in Western Europe. In Burgundy, central France, and much of the country's northern regions, oak reigns supreme. Valued for its strength, durability, and beautiful grain, it remains one of the most sought-after woods for joinery, flooring, and fine architectural woodwork.

When forestry operations are mentioned, the image of clear-cutting often comes to mind. Yet the reality is quite different in the vast majority of French forests. A forest fulfills several functions simultaneously: producing timber, preserving biodiversity, protecting soils, encouraging natural regeneration, and contributing to the balance of ecosystems.

A regenerating forest typically contains a large number of young trees engaged in a genuine race toward the light. Over time, the stand gradually thins, allowing the strongest specimens to emerge. By removing older or less desirable trees, the forest regains its capacity for growth and develops a healthy mix of trees of different ages.

Within the framework of sustainable forest management, every intervention is planned over several decades. Mature trees are gradually replaced by younger ones that will take their place. After many decades of growth, a tree enters a new phase of its story. Whether harvested after a storm, removed during a thinning operation designed to promote the finest specimens, or selected as part of a planned harvest, it is transported to sawmills where it is cut, dried, and transformed.

At AC Boiseries, most of our creations are crafted from timber sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Tarn-et-Garonne region. The species available therefore depend on harvesting schedules and on stocks of wood that have often been drying for several years. Each piece is intimately connected to the natural rhythm of the forest.

Behind every moulding, decorative panel, and piece of woodwork lie decades of growth, the patient work of foresters, and the exceptional richness of French forests. The grooves, color variations, knots, and unique grain patterns each tell a different story, making every piece truly one of a kind.

Contrary to popular belief, the most remarkable woods are not necessarily the smoothest or the most uniform. Dense hardwoods often reveal an extraordinary diversity of shapes, textures, and colors, as seen in species such as acacia, olive wood, and oak. It is precisely this individuality that gives them their character, authenticity, and beauty.