A bipartisan group of 171 lawmakers in the US urged the Administration to go back to the softwood lumber negotiating table because the current tariffs—per the NAHB—are increasing the cost of homebuilding. Not so, says the US Lumber Coalition. “The price of lumber, like all commodities, fluctuates due to market forces”.

In related news: Canadian wood-shingle makers have joined forces to oppose their inclusion in the softwood tariff; US home construction is expected to fall short of demand; and US consumers are spending more in part due to Trump’s tariffs. 

In other news: a new report on the US National Forests says forest mortality exceeds growth; firefighters in Oregon get full-time job guarantees; and the Anthony Family provide financial support towards the construction of a timber-wood design centre at the University or Arkansas.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor