Amid war-driven uncertainty, Canada holds interest rates steady and the US Fed is expected to follow suit. In related news: the gulf war is upsetting forestry supply chains and freight rates; and US lumber imports fell sharply in the last half of 2025. Meanwhile: naturally:wood released a new guide in support of mass timber buildings; Georgia Tech researchers developed a plant-based plastic substitute; and University of BC fire ecologist Kira Hoffman was named 2026 National Geographic 33 Honoree.
In Forestry news: Canadian Forest Owners’ partnership creates new insurance options for private forest owners; Interfor and Osoyoos Indian Band partner on forest management; the mild winter is helping Oregon’s planting crews; Virginia Tech launched a Sustainable Forest Supply Chain Collaborative; and Maine’s woodlot owners face new pest problems. Meanwhile: COFI’s Forestry is a Solution platform gets some pushback; is Fix Our Forest a free pass for US loggers; and a book review on Suzanne Simard’s When a Forest Breathes.
Finally, a new Vancouver exhibit follows the tugboats, beachcombers and arborists behind BC’s changing forest sector.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor