This study presents a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) of hardwood lumber produced in eastern Canada. LCA is a comprehensive analytical examination of the flows to and from nature related to a product or a process. LCA is typically performed following international protocols and is considered by many to be the best mechanism for quantifying the true environmental footprint of a product. An LCA can address some or all of the stages in the life of a product. This LCA addresses environmental impacts up to the mill “gate” for hardwood lumber; such a cradle-to-gate assessment is typical for products that are usually destined to be components in any number of secondary products. For those secondary products, a full cradle-to-grave LCA could be developed (incorporating effects from transportation, installation, usage and disposal), using the cradle-to-gate LCA as part of the input data. 201002820 - 1.1