Geo Parkes & Sons (Pty) Ltd has been at the heart of the South African indigenous timber industry for more than 120 years and to this day the company is managed by the descendants of English entrepreneur George Parkes, who established the company in 1892. While many things have changed since then, the essence of a business, run with passion, commitment and an intricate relationship with the unique
indigenous hardwoods of the Knysna forest, has not changed. One of only a handful of private owners of natural forests in South Africa, Geo Parkes & Sons considers itself a custodian of one of the country’s unique and most precious resources. Responsibly grown and harvested according to the principles of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an independent international organisation promoting responsible management of natural forests, the timber merchant sells woods of exceptional quality directly to traders, contractors and furniture manufacturers. Each with its own unique character and grain patterns, the variety of indigenous hardwoods include Stinkwood, Yellowwood, White Pear, Hard Pear, Candlewood, Ironwood, Witels and Cape Holly, Blackwood – and exotic species planted in the natural forests years ago to supplement the supply of indigenous hardwoods that were being heavily harvested at the time – is also available.
