Geo Parkes & Sons (Pty) Ltd sells lumber harvested from our private indigenous forests and pine plantations directly to traders, sawmills, contractors and furniture manufacturers.
Our aim is to supply responsibly managed South African timbers directly to the trade, while conserving our indigenous forests for future generations.
We trade in South African hardwoods and certain exotic species, planted in our natural forests many years ago to supplement the supply of overharvested indigenous hardwoods. Stinkwood, Yellowwood, White Pear, Hard Pear, Candlewood, Ironwood, Witels, Cape Holly, Kalander and Boekenhout – each variety has its own, unique character and grain patterns. And it is this unique beauty that has made legendary Knysna hardwood furniture famous the world over. Please contact us for further details on the full range of wood we have for sale.
All Geo Parkes & Sons timber is responsibly grown and harvested in and around the Knysna forest, in accordance with the Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM) Forest Management Standard (FSC-C150700). The FSC is an independent, international, non-profit organisation promoting the responsible management of the world’s forests, and Geo Parkes & Sons manages exotic plantation trees under the FSC certificate. As one of only a few private owners of natural South African forests, we are proud custodians of one of South Africa’s unique and most precious resources – the wood found in the Knysna forests.
At the heart of the South African indigenous timber industry for over 130 years, Geo Parkes & Sons is still managed by the descendants of George Parkes, the English entrepreneur who established the company in 1892. And, while many things may have changed since those early days, the essence of our business – run with passion, commitment and an intricate relationship with and respect for the unique, indigenous hardwoods of the Knysna forest, has not changed.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL ™
FSCTM is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
Natural forests throughout the world are threatened by global demand for forest products which will not only continue, but also accelerate. Many of the world’s remaining natural forests still suffer from illegal exploitation, poor management and conversion to other land uses, commonly resulting in severe degradation or complete destruction.
It was these very concerns that led to the establishment of FSC in 1993. Geo Parkes & Sons is proud to be part of this initiative.
while trees with a lesser quality of timber are left in the forest to act out their role in the intricate eco-system.