Canadian sawmill utilization recovers from brutal lows, while West Fraser, Western Forest Products and Domtar report lower earnings. In other Business news: US housing buoyed by the longest job boom ever; and Canadian rail blockades threaten forest product supply lines. Meanwhile: BC’s Throne Speech bleak on forestry; and New Zealand helps log exporters affected by delays in China.

In Forestry/Climate news: lawsuits mount against Ontario’s forestry plan; Oregon’s forestry compromise demoralizing to Senate GOP leader; and the USDA Chief Forester on Trump’s proposed budget cuts for R&D. 

Finally, a California lumber company is the first to stock hempwood.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor