For years now we have all watched as our country and others are being stripped of our timberlands. We need wood for building and other things even as we are trying to learn to conserve and use other materials that can replace wood. There is one source of wood that may be limited, but is a source none the less.



For at least two hundred years the rivers in our country were used to raft logs from one place to the other. Logs were cut and then tied together to float down stream to a destination where they were needed. Many times when the river water was running very strong or they hit rapid spots along the way, these rafts would break apart and many logs were lost in the river. When the logs were green they would eventually sink to the bottom.

It has been discovered in recent years that so many of these lost logs that were sunk in the colder water of rivers are remarkably preserved similar to petrified wood, only preserved by the cold water. These logs are being recovered in many rivers today and are used to make fine furniture, hardwood flooring, and other things wood is turned into. Since these logs were usually cut many years ago from old growth forests, their wood grain is really beautiful.

This recovered timber is a little on the expensive side because it is not that simple to raise huge logs from the bottoms of rivers. Those who have under taken the task of raising this timber have also had a few hurdles to cross as far as getting permission from the proper officials to take the timber. The laws concerning salvaging things from waterways vary from state to state. There are not that many individuals and companies that have decided to try and retrieve this timber.

Even though there might not be an unlimited supply of this submerged timber, it is a good idea to try and get it out of the water and make good use of it since it is so beautiful and it has already been cut down years ago anyway. It is important that we not waste any trees from our planet anymore and this is just one small way that can save some trees that are still living. If you find an opportunity to purchase some of the products made with this timber, you will be buying a little piece of history along with it.