Fannie Mae—a US national mortgage association—predicts a short but excruciating economic downturn: minus 25 per cent in Q2 and a 3.1 per cent contraction over the full year. In related news: Canada’s forest industry braces for a brutal 2020; Vaagen Fibre in Midway, BC re-opens after 9-weeks; why the construction industry is essential to toilet paper stocks; and Washington state is facing pressure to allow homebuilding. 

In other news: Amazon.com Inc. makes a large contribution to sustainable forestry practices; fresh growth may offset climate hit from Australian fires; US Woodworks promotes CLT—the new darling of biophilic design movement; and Minnesota and Wisconsin wildfire crews ready as Alberta hires more.

Finally, congratulations to DLA Piper on their five year anniversary merger. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor