Join us for a field trip to Emlenton and visit the Hickman Family’s Forest, Sawmill, and Flooring plant. As seen on This Old House & HGTV’s Restored by the Fords, you can experience the tour in person and discover what makes Pennsylvania’s forests so unique, and so vulnerable.

Back in 1999, Hickman Lumber became the first Pennsylvania mill to be FSC certified through Smartwood. During the tour we will spend time in the woods with foresters who will explain sustainable forestry under the FSC guidelines, see the sawmill in operation and learn how 100% of the tree is utilized, then visit the flooring plant to gain insight into the difference between rift and quarter sawing while learning about the different local species and options for flooring.

At the end of the day, we’ll head back to the showroom for dinner & drinks along with an amazing presentation from Jonathan Geyer from the PA Department of Agriculture about why wood is good!

Field Trip Schedule:

11:00 Meet at Showroom (501 Main Street Emlenton, PA 16373 ) – leaving by 11:30 The tour group will meet at the showroom first and car-pool to the forest, sawmill, and flooring plant before returning to the showroom for food, drinks, and a presentation. (Note – lunch is not provided)

Part 1: 11:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Forest & Sawmill (4965 Emlenton-Clintonville Rd. Emlenton, PA 16373)

We will begin the day with a walk in the woods (41.201406, -79.806585) with our foresters to learn about and see first-hand how proper timber management results in higher-quality forests.

Then we will visit the sawmill in operation (hopefully – rebuilding this year after fire in 2024) to learn how logs are cut, turned into lumber, and kiln-dried. Discover why this is the most critical factor in quality hardwood.

Part 2: 2:30 p.m– 3:30 p.m. Flooring Plant (4478 Route 38 N Emlenton, PA 16373 )

After the sawmill, we will drive to the plant where the flooring is manufactured and distributed across the country. Allegheny Mountain Hardwood floors have been used in various museums and government buildings. Recently the US Supreme Court in Washington DC. AMHF specializes in Rift & Quarter Sawn White Oak, and we will see examples of how the grain on a board varies depending on how it’s cut at the sawmill. This is important for the design and stability of the floor.

Part 3: 4:00 p.m – 5:30 p.m. Allegheny Mountain Hardwood Flooring Showroom (501 Main. St. Emlenton, PA 16373)

Presentation, Drinks, and Food: While visiting the showroom, take a look at the finished product first-hand! Enjoy food and drinks during a presentation by Jonathan Geyer, a Hardwoods Development Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Jon will educate guests about the state’s hardwood resources, their various end uses, and sustainable attributes, along with threats and sustainability issues faced by our forests.

EXTRA CREDIT: If interested we are always up for a few evening drinks and networking! Last year we had a ton of folks from out of town and went to the brewery & after after party at Ottos. (Local dive bar).