The trend in Canadian housing starts declined in February, as the lack of supply sent sales and prices higher. In related news: the US reports strong single-family permit gains in January; and record steel prices add to building-material woes. In other Business news: NRCan invests in earthquake-resistant schools (with mass timber); construction at Washington’s Darrington Wood Innovation Center is set to begin; and Australian timber faces protracted logjam with China.

In Forestry news: BC’s forest minister takes old-growth moratorium off the table, as concerns rise over delayed action; Mosaic works to retain public access on its private lands; Women in Forestry Summit calls for culture shift; the yin and yang of post-wildfire logging in Oregon; and Louisiana forestry is still tallying the cost of storm damage.

Finally, the secret life of trees: US researchers probe elevated methane emissions.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor