The housing outlook weakened in Canada and US as affordability and uncertainty dampened activity. In related news: US builder sentiment ticked lower; and Canada’s inflation rate edged down. In Business news: Canada announced its new CUSMA trade negotiator; Bell Lumber & Pole is expanding in Arkansas; Metsä created a lignin demo plant in Finland; and factory-built housing makes headway in Ontario and California.

In Forestry news: Tree Canada launched an urban forestry platform; the University of Alberta is creating new growth and yield models; activists spiked trees in Quebec’s Maurice region; a BC ENGO says herbicide use has declined but the NDP planned to phase it out; the mountain pine beetle outbreak intensified in Colorado; Vermont’s forests need management not mandates; and Georgia announced its Forestry for Wildlife award winners.

Finally, why Richmond Plywood refuses to shut down even when demand tanks.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor