Using treated wood saves a forest the size of our smallest state each year and creates more than $3 billion in savings for the utility and transportation industries.

While current information indicates the environmental risks are negligible there are considerable environmental and economic advantages supporting the use of pressure treated wood. The economics are relatively easy to calculate.

A residential deck built with untreated jack pine has an average life of five to 10 years compared with a pressure treated jack pine deck which lasts up to 50 years. The material replacement costs alone, without considering labor, make pressure treated wood an obvious choice.

In industrial applications, pressure treated wood makes a significant contribution towards environmental protection while providing substantive costs savings to business and society in general. Treated wood products are used for utility poles, highway retaining barriers, docks, bridges and railway ties. All of these products are considerably less expensive than alternatives. Since most of these uses involve public service organizations, such as power, telephone, cable television companies and railways, these substantive savings work to keep costs down so that everyone benefits from the relatively low costs and long life span of pressure treated wood products.

While wood from some species of trees naturally lasts longer than others, all wood eventually succumbs to the elements and living enemies. Insects, fungi and other microorganisms feed and live on the wood causing it to decay. Wood that is in direct contact with the ground and/or water is especially susceptible to these conditions. But the process of pressure treating wood helps protect it from these destructive elements, extending its service life significantly.

The treatment process involves forcing stable and leach resistant preservatives deep into the wood cells where they remain for decades to protect the wood and ensure its structural integrity.

Equally important is the fact that the treating process doesn't alter the wood's essential characteristics - it continues to look and feel good for decades. Treated wood maintains its structural integrity longer. It is no more susceptible to natural phenomenons such as shrinking, swelling, splitting or warping than untreated wood. It simply is more durable and lasts longer.