Final answer:
FSC certification is key to recognizing sustainably and legally harvested wood products. Domestic woods with certification, like bird-eye maple from Vermont with an FSC certificate, are likely legally harvested. Always inquire about the wood's origin and legality.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine if a wood product, such as flooring, was harvested sustainably or legally, one can look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, which indicates that the wood complies with rigorous environmental, social, and economic standards. The FSC certification is a reliable marker, as other certifications might be less credible due to conflicts of interest from being run by timber companies. Moreover, sustainable forest management laws vary by country, which can complicate the legality of harvesting practices. Considering this, option b. bird-eye maple from Vermont with a FSC certificate was most likely harvested legally and sustainably. It's recommended to always ask questions about the origins of the wood and the supplier’s knowledge regarding its legal harvest.
Certification applies to specific products, so it is possible for some producers' products to be certified while others are not. While there are other industry-backed certifications, it is best to rely on the FSC certification due to its independence from the industry.
Buying domestic wood species and asking questions about the wood product's origin are also good approaches to determine if the wood was harvested sustainably and legally.