A growing sector of sales of tropical rainforest wood is for futon frames. Ramin, an endangered tree found in rare swamp rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra (claimed by Indonesia and Malaysia) is especially popular but other woods are becoming popular, too. Rubberwood, originally used to offset the use of endangered tropical woods (rubberwood is milled from “senile” rubber trees from rubber plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia), its growing popularity has now fueled a furniture sector that is driving the demand to expand rubber plantations further into primary forests. While rubberwood is probably better than any old growth wood from southeast Asia, we now have major concerns with supporting its use.

The following companies import, distribute or sell futon frames made from wood from endangered forests.

Harlee