Suppressed Hardwood

Hardwood floors sourced from trees that grow in the understory of mature forests, specifically in areas where forestry practices have prevented fires, and natural thinning and succession haven’t occurred.

Look for locally sourced and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood products.

Thinning and select cutting of suppressed hardwoods makes use of the forest resource without clearcutting. These smaller trees might be removed in managed forests to decrease fire risk, and they have close grain and good properties for flooring.

Parquetry, from the Old French parchet, meaning small enclosed space, is patterned flooring consisting of inlaid wood in geometric shapes like squares, diamonds, and angles. One of the most well-watched pieces of parquet floor in history is the floor that the Boston Celtics play on, in the National Basketball Association of the USA. From its first installation in 1946 in Boston Arena, they brought their floor with them through two moves, to Boston Garden in 1952 and FleetCenter in 1995. Pieces were sold in 1999 as souvenirs after a demolition, and some pieces are still in the floor they play on now, at TD Garden.