Industry updates from experts Russ Taylor (Japan’s market potential); David Elstone (BC’s value-added sector) and Nick Boulton (Brexit’s coniferous quota). In other Business news: single-family starts highest since 2007; US wildfires cost insurers bigly; Resolute has a new wood products president; and EACOM employees spread the holiday cheer. Meanwhile, COFI and SFI join BC Wood/GBM and ABCFP in announcing virtual convention plans for 2021.

In Climate news: US senators introduce climate bill with forest emphasis; Pacific Biochar secures carbon credits; BP acquires stake in an offset developer; and the Nature Conservancy gets caught up in what some are calling dubious offsets. Elsewhere: BC’s forest watchdog says Prince George biodiversity at risk; and Wisconsin appoints its first female chief forester.

Finally, Dr. Christmas Tree’s globe trotting search for tree sans Phytophthora root rot.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor