When is the use of tropical wood acceptable in LEED for Homes?

In the context of LEED for Homes, the use of tropical wood is acceptable when it is FSC certified. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification ensures that the wood has been sustainably sourced, adhering to strict environmental and social standards. This certification promotes responsible management of the world's forests, which is crucial in protecting biodiversity, preventing deforestation, and supporting the livelihoods of local communities.

Utilizing FSC-certified tropical wood aligns with LEED's commitment to sustainable building practices, as it helps reduce the impact of deforestation and ensures that the wood products in use are harvested in a way that maintains the forest's ecological integrity. Without this certification, the use of tropical wood could contribute to environmental degradation and concerns over unethical harvesting practices, which is why LEED emphasizes the importance of certification for the acceptance of such materials.

The other options do not sufficiently address the sustainable sourcing of tropical wood; simply being locally harvested or including recycled materials does not guarantee responsible practices, and having no restrictions would not align with LEED's environmental goals.