Pirate-style wooden peg legs come to mind when thinking about “human body parts made out of wood“, but Norwegian scientists are talking nanocellulose, which together with nutrients and stem cells from an injured patient can help regenerate body tissue. Elsewhere, University of Maryland scientists demonstrate the bulletproof competence of “super wood“.
In other Wood news: the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) released its 2017 results—one billion board feet of new lumber demand—while the USDA has announced the referendum date to determine whether the SLB will continue for another five years. Meanwhile, APA – The Engineered Wood Association celebrated more than half a million publication downloads in 2017.
In Forestry news: heli-logging is being used to minimize the spread of Douglas fir beetles in BC; California’s timber battles have shifted from redwoods to Douglas fir; the Sierra Nevada is rethinking how it fights forest fires; and Colorado sees product opportunities after decades of pine beetle devastation.
Finally, another reason to hug a logger—BC logging truck driver saved a moose calf after it got stuck in a snowbank.
— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Speaking at the White House yesterday, President Trump complained about Canadian trade practices while “
Yukon is home to extensive boreal forest that covers an area of approximately 28.1 million hectares (ha) and plays an integral role in the regulation of climate locally, regionally and internationally. Yukon’s forests contribute to the territory’s economy by providing wood and other forest products, local employment, regional development, tourism and recreational opportunities in addition to being valued as a vital cultural, social, historical and educational resource. …Boreal ecosystems are especially vulnerable to climate change. Melting permafrost, increased severity of insect outbreaks and drought are driving major forest changes …Potential exists for rapid ecosystem transitions, with parts of the boreal forest nearing ecological “tipping points” by the end of the century. Scientists are already beginning to see evidence of climate associated declines of spruce, pine and aspen in some parts of the boreal forest. 
…it’s no secret that the next wave of professionals is poised to retire as the sector continues to mature, and filling the gap is quite literally one of the most important things to be done. …As we scout for those up-and-comers to run our businesses in the future, we’re fortunate that there is a wellspring of promising individuals—in the cooperative education pool. … these programs are invaluable resources, both for companies hoping to discover promising new talent and for young people seeking to get a better feel for what it is like to work in the forest products industry. …co-op programs are a godsend for lumber suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and beyond. As we realize the need to replace retirees with passionate, young employees, we can also provide a great way to give prospects a taste of actual work life in their field of interest.
Wood design and construction professionals downloaded APA – The Engineered Wood Association resources more than half a million times from the association’s website in 2017. A trusted source for reliable and accurate wood product and design recommendations, APA continues to build and update its extensive online collection of publications, videos, CAD details, and educational webinars. APA’s recommendations for design and product installation combine the results of studies conducted at the Association’s research laboratory with knowledge gained from decades of field work. The resulting publications, CAD details, and System Reports are available on APAWOOD.ORG and promoted by APA’s experts in the field to builders, engineers, designers, code officials, and developers. APA field representatives also provide hands-on wood assembly and installation training to builder teams and contractors at no cost.
WILLIAMS LAKE – The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is currently conducting helicopter-logging operations in the Williams Lake area to minimize the spread of Douglas fir beetles on Crown land. This heli-logging program has recently been expanded to the Chimney Valley in the area west of Dog Creek Road along Chimney Creek (south of Williams Lake). Helicopter flights in this added area are expected to begin on Feb. 14 or Feb. 15, 2018. Douglas fir beetle populations are higher than normal in parts of the Cariboo. The insects normally attack small groups of trees, and a significant infestation will weaken and eventually kill a tree over the period of about a year.
A Vanderhoof man saved a moose calf last week, after it got stuck in a snowbank. Wayne Rowley, who hauls logs for logging company Dalchako Timber, was driving the Kluskus Forest Service Road west of Vanderhoof heading to work when something in the snowbank made him do a double take. “I came around the corner and it just caught my eye, ‘What is that sticking out of the snowbank?’ Curious me, I had to back up and have a look. “It was a little moose upside down, stuck. I could just see his feet sticking up in the air.” Rowley initially thought the calf was dead, but he walked down into the snow to check. “I couldn’t just leave him. I went a little closer and he looked up at me. ‘Oh, you’re still alive!’”
