The demand for timber in construction is rising, but sustainable supply of structural-grade timber is limited. Many available logs are currently underused due to mechanical uncertainties. Flexurally reinforced timber beams can increase material efficiency, allowing more timber to be used structurally while reducing overall timber volume.

As forests change and conifer availability declines, construction must adapt to use more irregular trees efficiently. This study proposes a tree-shape aware design method for roundwood construction, using scanned tree databases to match natural forms with structural needs.

Wood’s renewability makes it a key material for sustainable construction, but scaling up has cross-sectoral impacts. This study investigates future wood market scenarios by considering the perspectives of stakeholders and potential clients to inform supply, demand, and acceptance of wood construction in Switzerland.

Heatwaves and droughts reduce, and sometimes even reverse, the CO₂ uptake of forests. Countries that rely on forestry to reach their net-zero goals are strongly affected. Sustainable management and harvesting, and using the wood in construction, helps to secure carbon storage over the long term while replacing carbon-intensive materials.

If the EU28 reduces wood harvesting in Europe to benefit biodiversity, construction timber will likely need to be sourced from elsewhere, potentially shifting the biodiversity impact rather than eliminating it. Adapted forest management strategies could provide a way to balance ecosystem conservation with sustainable wood production.