America is on a lumber binge (treated wood shortages, futures up 85%), but paper mills regress (two Maine operations close). In related news: the US Northeast struggles amid Covid-19; little help for Mackenzie, BC despite Premier’s tough talk; and the Steelworkers speak to problems with international trade. Companies in the news include: Domtar—Kamloops (emissions odour); Brinks Forest Products (chip pile fire); Hood Container (mill investment); and CN Rail (wildfire appeal loss). 

In other news: BC’s forestry watchdog finds issues with Quesnel timber sales; Northeast Ontario struggles with the spruce budworm; and the US Forest Service assesses conditions in northwest forests. Meanwhile: Notre Dame is to be rebuilt just as it was before; Russian firefighters are seeding clouds to douse wildfires, and Ontario’s heat wave exacerbates its fire challenges.

Finally, if you like the Sounds of the Forest, you’ll like these audio postcards.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor