Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

The US Department of Commerce set preliminary duties on hardwood and decorative plywood imports from China, Vietnam and Indonesia. In related news: a Dovetail study says US hardwoods are legally sourced and responsibly managed. In other Business news: Thunder Bay Pulp & Paper will cease newsprint production; Ontario invests $1M in Kirkland Lake Forest Products; Hinton Lumber Products expands pallet production in South Carolina; and BC Premier Eby says market reforms will help forestry but results will take time.

In other news: Michael Boren is sworn in as Undersecretary overseeing the US Forest Service; the University of Oregon has another podcast on the future of mass timber; and FSC is approved for use in Hungary. Meanwhile: the Winter issue of WorkSafeBC Magazine; a big turnout at the BC Natural Resources Forum; the Southern Forest Products Association released its 2025 value report; CMHC reveals which cities are leading Canada housing starts; and RISI releases outlook for European lumber prices.

Finally, South Florida looks to invest in biochar production from wood waste.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

GreenFirst entered into a $30M term loan under Canada’s softwood lumber transformation program. In related news: the mayor of Ignace, Ontario is surprised by Domtar mill curtailment; JD Irving reorganizes its chip plant jobs in New Brunswick; BC Premier Eby says market diversifying will help but it will take time; Forest Minister Parmar promotes modular home building; and COFI’s Kim Haakstad says permit delays are hurting the sector. Meanwhile: wildfires contributed to the rise in Canada’s 2025 insured losses; Canfor Pulp reported progress on share acquisition agreement; and Boise Cascade announced leadership changes.

In Forestry/Carbon news: a Federal report says mismanagement fuelled the 2024 Jasper wildfire; a BC First Nations-owned company is granted court protection at the Walbran Valley logging blockade; ‘Forestry is a Solution ‘ campaign launches in Prince George; an Ohio study says US forests are storing more carbon; and a UK report says cardboard biomass is effective for power generation.

Finally, Steelworkers welcome combustable dust safety reforms on anniversary of Babine mill explosion.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force begins work to restructure and retool Canada’s forest sector. In related news: BC launches Forestry is a Solution at Prince George forum; Nova Scotia pushes back on softwood duty accusation by 3 provinces; North Cowichan mayor seeks Fed support for laid-off Crofton mill workers; Canfor’s mill closure blows hole in Houston, BC budget; and Georgia may end sales taxes to help timber companies. Meanwhile: global markets drop as Trump reignites trade war over Greenland; Canada’s inflation rate ticks up to 2.4%; and US builder sentiment fell 2 points to 37.

In Forestry/Climate news: Canada forecasts 2026 to be among the hottest on record; BC postpones implementation of Heritage Conservation Act due to development concerns; the USDA prepares for expanded mandate with 20K fewer employees; New Mexico reports alarming tree-death rise in 2025; Wisconsin tribes oppose the Roadless Rule change; and EU deforestation regulation brings relief to the timber sector.

Finally, Canadian softwood duties on deposit with the US reach a staggering CAD $13.7 billion.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Day 3 of the Truck Loggers Convention kicked off on Friday with a documentary about BC’s wildfire crisis. Other sessions included public perceptions of forestry, and a conversation with Conservative leader Trevor Halford. We’ve got a full wrap-up of Days 1-3 here. In Business news: Vancouver Island forestry workers reach tentative labour deal; Coulson Aviation sues US rival over firefighting deal; New Brunswick faces both energy and tariff challenges; the US Consul General speaks on the state of US-Canada trade; and a US/Taiwan chip deal comes with tariff relief for wood products.

In Forestry news: a BC judge rejects class action suit over deadly landslide; an Oregon judge blocks logging on 3 timber sales; a Montana Flathead National Forest thinning proposal is up for review; Washington state pursues carbon credits to offset logging revenue loss; and Chile declares state of catastrophe as wildfires kill 18.

Finally, this Canadian start-up makes pulp from straw instead of wood.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

China’s Xi Jinping and Canada’s Mark Carney reset their relationship, announce tariff relief. In related news: BC & Canada sign lumber-MOU with China; Taiwan lowers tariffs on US goods; Metsä Group appoints a new Executive VP; and Cascades has a VP Excellence. Meanwhile: the Softwood Lumber Board’s greatest hits of 2025; naturally:wood’s latest deeds; BC Woodlots’ weekly newsletter; Alberta’s Work Wild 2.0; the Lumber and Building Material Dealers‘ 2026 policy agenda; Green Building Initiative’s new chair; and France’s main timber groups merge.  

In Forestry/Climate news: Canopy and Finance Earth seek to reduce virgin wood consumption; the US Forest Service proposes logging near Glacier National Park; New Hampshire may bar carbon sequestion programs; China has regreened 8 million hectares in 2025; and forest loss is driving mosquitoes’ thirst for human blood.

Finally, Tree Frog coverage of Day 2 of  the 81st Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention includes a keynote by Forests Minister Parmar, and panels on forest industry and First Nations partnerships.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Raymond James upgraded the shares of West Fraser, Canfor and Interfor as ‘lumber conditions begin to improve’. In related news: US building material prices rose in November; and US remodelling strengthened in Q4. In other headlines: CPKC announced 16 union agreements; Kruger, Kamloops conducted emergency dredging; and more on the Domtar’s Ignace sawmill curtailment. Meanwhile: Prime Minister Carney re-ups agreements with Chinese on energy and lumber; registration opens for International Pulp Week 2026; and researchers make progress in the search for a better biodegradable plastic.

In Forestry/Climate news: the Fraser Institute contrasts preventing climate change versus adapting to it; the USDA invests to reduce wildfire risk in Colorado; Western Washington has a new forest health plan; a judge blocks logging in Oregon; and a new study on deciduous tree dominance and wildfire carbon losses.

Finally, the 81st Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention kicked off yesterday with panels on forest product markets and the economy; closing the gap on fibre supply; inside BC politics; BC government initiatives update; and improving workplace safety. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Domtar announced lumber curtailments of 150 MBF across its facilities in Quebec, Ontario and the US. In related news: a fire at West Fraser Alberta’s Blue Ridge Lumber is contained; J.D. Irving seeks exit from New Brunswick power grid; and Dallas Smith says activists are exploiting First Nations hereditary leadership to derail BC resource projects. Meanwhile: Prime Minister Carney kicks off a trade mission to China, and President Trump says the CUSMA trade agreement is irrelevant.

Kicking off Tree Frog’s TLA coverage this week are two (pre-conference) Truck LoggerBC articles by BC Premier David Eby and Forest Minister Ravi Parmar. In related news: David Elstone reports that BC’s crown timber harvest fell 2% in 2025; the BC Forest Safety Council appoints their new CEO, Cherie Whelan; and Dorian Dereshkevich writes about preventing forestry equipment tip-overs. Meanwhile: Earth Day’s 2026 theme is One Power, Our Planet; and high-tech forestry drones are taking off in New Zealand.

Finally, the US Endowment is partnering to help quantify the effects of mill closures.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

On the eve of the annual Truck Loggers Association Convention, Executive Director Peter Lister opines on DRIPA and BC’s forestry crisis. In related news: another law firm compares the BC and New Brunswick Aboriginal title decisions; Corner Brook Pulp & Paper gears up to resume production; the CUSMA review looms in 2026; and Greenpeace questions Domtar’s intentions with Canadian forests. 

In Forestry news: Vancouver begins the final phase of its mitigation work in Stanley Park; the World Resources Institute says the world is losing its forests to wildfire; Utah researchers link hot days with wildfire outbreaks; Virginia lawmakers push back on Roadless Rule repeal; and Scotland works to save its ancient pine forests. Meanwhile: the BC Forest Safety Council launched a mental health support program for forestry workers; SFI released its 2025 progress report; FSC Canada’s New Year’s message; and the lastest from the Forest Genetics Council of BC.

Finally, a winter escape to 10 of the world’s most spectacular tree houses.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC pursues wood markets in India as diplomacy takes a back seat to trade. In related news: investors poke around the soon-to-be-closed Crofton pulp mill; while Arcadia Paper Mills plans to open a new mill in St. Helens, Oregon. In other news: in a challenge to the US central bank’s independence over interest rates, the US Administration launched a criminal investigation of federal chair Jerome Powell—roiling markets amid push back. Meanwhile: lumber futures rebounded; US housing starts fell; and custom home building ticked up.

In Forestry news: an Indigenous law firm on how the BC and New Brunswick Aboriginal title decisions compare; Vaughn Palmer writes of BC’s recent forestry court case loss to a First Nation; and UNBC’s Phil Burton’s new book on forestry in the face of uncertainty. Meanwhile: police seek stolen logging equipment in Prince George; Resource Works is angry about the logging equipment fire on Vancouver Island; a self-described forest watchdog alleges illegal logging; a report on the lessons learned from BC’s 2025 wildfire season; and California strengthens its wildfire response approach.

Finally, what the US withdrawal from UN bodies could mean for climate and trade.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Eurasia Group’s “Top Risks For 2026″ report says Canada could be hit hardest by US political revolution. In related news: Canada is diversifying some trade away from the US; single-family housing starts rebound in the US as total starts fall; Ontario’s Fort Frances biofuel plant could bring old mill site back to life; poor markets lead West Fraser to record a goodwill impairment charge in Q4. Meanwhile: the US Endowment collaborates on sustainable bio-fuel; Maine Woodland Owners honour retiring CEO Tom Doak; Jamestown’s Troy Harris points to the value of SLB investments.

In Forestry/Climate news: a BC court halts a First Nation forest licence transfer near Terrace, a BC judge rules that old-growth protestors could be prosecuted criminally; RCMP investigate an equipment fire near the Walbran Valley logging protests; Utah’s forest agreement with the USDA may expand timber production; eco-friendly toilet paper is not always green; and the US Supreme Court considers taking up the Roundup/cancer case.

Finally, bark microbes eat climate gases, and PEFC dispels timber construction misconceptions.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

US President Trump withdrew the US from 66 organizations including many that focus on climate change. In related news: ENGOs say Trump’s move is illegal; and Washington state overstated its GHG reductions by 80%. In Forestry news: BC protestors push-back on arson insinuation of logging equipment; zombie fires are overwintering again in northern BC; and UBC’s Faculty of Forestry adds Environmental Stewardship to its name.

In Business news: PM Carney hosts premiers as CUSMA trade talks ramp up; BC and New Brunswick discourage courts from interfering in First Nations reconciliation; the PPWC union wants feds to support laid-off Crofton workers; the latest on Woodland Pulp’s restart; Deloitte forecasts weak growth for Canada; and US consumer confidence hits new low. Meanwhile: the US Forest Service celebrates 120 years; SFI’s Project Learning Tree marks 45 years in Ohio; and German forests are losing their ability to absorb CO2.

Finally: a personal forestry story from Don Pigott—one of BC’s most respected seed and silviculture experts.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC Premier Eby will lead a trade mission to India, seeking diversification to counter US tariffs. In related news: Maine’s Woodland Pulp mill reopens to New Brunswick wood; the future of Domtar’s shuttered Crofton mill is in play—as job fair takes place for impacted workers; lumber futures drop, US consumer confidence declines; China faces economic headwinds; and ResourseWise releases it’s 2026 forecast.

In Wood Product news: Santa Monica is starting a Mass Timber Accelerator pilot program; BC Wood launches its 2026 Export Readiness Training program; and a new study says bamboo tissue has a larger carbon footprint than wood-based tissue. In Forestry news: Concordia University says Indigenous-led conservation efforts are working; progress and pitfalls in the race to end deforestation; the fungi helping kill the invasive emerald ash borer; and the role of pyrolysis as a forest management tool.

Finally, don’t miss out on the 81st Annual Truck Loggers Association Convention & Trade Show.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Costs and sustainability of 12-storey mass-timber tower compares well with steel and concrete: Canadian Consulting Engineer. In related news: a sneak peek at Kelowna’s airport expansion thanks to Kalesnikoff; Quebec’s St-Elzéar sawmill modernizes with AI investment; North Cowichan, BC advocates for laid-off Crofton mill workers; and Vanderhoof, BC is feeling the impact of Canfor’s closure. Meanwhile: Trump’s tariffs may survive a US Supreme Court setback; the US Lumber Coalition says Canada should right-size its lumber industry; and a US plywood importer questions US refusal to reconsider its evasion ruling.

In Forestry/Climate news: Christine Gelowitz on how BC’s unsettled times provide opportunity for forest professionals to step up; RCMP investigate a logging equipment fire near BC old-growth protest site; climate change is contributing to Australia’s tree death rate; and why the crisis in nature requires business to lead the way in 2026. 

Finally, Russ Taylor’s unexpected (and scary) health and safety journey.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The first half of 2026 will look a lot like 2025 for most forest products—says Kevin Mason of ERA Forest Products Research. In related news: BC Premier Eby reflects on a tumultuous 2025; Michael McCullough says 2026 looks to offer BC more trade uncertainty; New Brunswick premier Holt wants a softwood lumber deal; and Canada’s kitchen cabinet makers say US tariffs are still crippling despite Trump’s recent postponement of his planned rate increases. 

In other news: a BC First Nation looks to carve a niche with mass timber; PowerWood Canada has pellet mill plans in Alberta; West Fraser amalgamates its five Alberta subsidiaries; and Wisconsin hopes to secure a wood-based aviation fuel plant. Meanwhile: two perspectives on BC’s legal reality on Land Title and DRIPA; old growth push-back in Quebec and BC; and the USDA plans to update its reporting rules for foreign-based forest land owners.

Finally, why old books smell so good, according to science.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Merry Christmas, Hoppy Holidays and all the best for 2026! Barring breaking news, your favourite frogs will be back on January 5, 2026, with a full wrap-up of forestry news. Until then, have a wonderful holiday and enjoy Sandy’s Yule Tide Fly Stew poem! 

In Today’s news: BC’s Forest Minister remains optimistic despite mill closures; GreenFirst extends its holiday curtailment; and China’s Huatai Group expands its pulp and paper footprint. Meanwhile: BC Wood’s CEO Brian Hawrysh is stepping down after two decades; and the USDA announced 2026 appointments to the Softwood Lumber Board.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: has Canada’s Mark Carney reneged on promised new parks; Ontario old growth said to be at risk in Algonquin Park; a US lawsuit seeks protection for California’s spotted owls; Utah has a new high-risk wildfire map; and Florida’s dry winter means higher wildfire risks.

Finally, Ireland’s Noah’s Ark for plants – a vault for renewal after ecological disasters.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Sector-specific trade agreements give way to broader negotiations, as Canada and US prepare for mid-January free-trade talks. In related news: Canada invests in Sault Ste. Marie’s port; BC invests to support wood product diversification; Western Forest secures government support for its Chemainus mill; Maine firms get access to $32M in federal grants; Domtar receives air permit in North Carolina; Mercer pursues carbon capture in Alberta; and Suzano expands fluff pulp production Brazil. Meanwhile: US lumber capacity remains flat; and the Softwood Lumber Board generates incremental demand. 

In Forestry news: the Rainforest Action Network resigns from Forest Steward Council; a BC judge rules on Stanley Park logging approvals; Alberta considers lifting hunting ban on grizzlies; a US lawsuit challenges change to environmental reviews on public land; and US West leaders express concern over Trump’s wildfire mitigation cuts.

Finally, biologists find a new species of pumpkin toadlet in Brazil’s cloud forests. And Monday is our last news day before the Xmas break. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Weyerhaeuser looks to biocarbon plants to utilize its waste fibre—following pulp-mill closures. In related news: Maine’s Woodland Pulp is set to reopen; Domtar’s Crofton mill closure highlights the downside of one-industry towns; Harmac Pacific rejects Nanaimo bylaw that would threaten future business activities; workers at Western’s Chemainus mill are getting nervous; and the USDA invests in Tenneessee’s hardwood future. Meanwhile, on the US-Canada trade front: the latest on the US and Canada positions, and the US Supreme Court’s pending decision.

In Forestry/Climate news: WPAC’s Gordon Murray opines on BC’s fibre access challenges; the RCMP make more arrests at BC forestry blockade; a BC First Nation is suing the province over lost carbon credits; a federal judge halts logging near Yellowstone National Park; wildfire reduction projects are coming to Colorado forests; and the latest on New Zealand’s emission trading scheme.

Finally, the future of decorative concrete looks a lot like wood decking.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Steelworkers applaud Ottawa’s new Buy Canadian procurement rules, which kicked in Tuesday. In other Business news: a BC Supreme Court judge signed off on wildly successful auction of Northern Pulp’s timberlands; BC assesses options for future of the Crofton pulp mill site; and US lumber mills highlight challenges along the Maine-Quebec border. Meanwhile: a new report says market realities do not support US self-sufficiency in lumber; Canadian forestry exports to the US hit new low; and US job growth slowed in November.

In other news: BC looks to wildfire fighting drones to deal with forest management and emergencies; the Nature Conservancy of Canada announced the largest private land conservation area in southeast BC; Trump’s Wildland Fire Service transformation creates unease; and the EU Deforestation Rule creates hurdles despite implementation delay. Meanwhile: fire tests confirm that not all fire-retardant wood treatments are reliable; and Japanese researchers created a new plant-based plastic that decomposes without forming microplastics.

Finally, the 2025 Catherine Lalonde Memorial Scholarships award winners are strong examples of academic excellence in wood innovation.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Ottawa launched a softwood lumber task force aimed at ensuring industry competitiveness over the long term. In related news: the Conservatives say the Liberals have lost in on lumber; BC signs historic forestry agreement with the Na̲mg̲is First Nation; Forest Minister Parmar says Nanaimo zoning motion hurts Harmac mill; and Domtar extends Crofton mill closing to January 4, 2026. Meanwhile: US lumber duties drive up construction costs; US Builder sentiment remains negative; and CWC advances wood innovation and education.

In Forestry news: 50 New Brunswick communities secure wildfire planning funds; six researchers receive prestigious Wallenberg forestry grants; Western Democrats split on Fix Our Forests bill; and Colorado is fighting beetles on multiple fronts. Meanwhile: tonight at 7:00 pm, Keith Moore, RPF on  “How the Long History of Forest Practices Regulation in BC Became a Key Part in a Recent BC Supreme Court Case”.

Finally, I bet you can’t guess how many fake vrs real Christmas trees are sold in the USA.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

New Brunswick Court of Appeal ruling on private forest land highlights worries about aboriginal reconciliation in BC. In other Business news: North Cowichan’s Mayor and (separately), the BC Coastal Forest Policy Coalition share concerns over the Crofton pulp mill closure; Northern Pulp pensions are made whole by woodlands sale; and Terrace Bay pulp mill’s owner is urged to turn on the heat. Meanwhile: Canada is open to restart US trade talks, but the next engagement is likely the CUSMA review; and Canada needs to plan for the worst, as Trump may end-run the US Supreme Court.

In Forestry news: Trump’s timber production goals are falling short; wildlife proponents say the US Forest Service should be scrapped; a seed company helps the US reforest for changing climate; Maine loggers are feeling the tariff pinch; and Priya Rajarapu is America’s Christmas Tree Grower’s Doctor. Meanwhile: UBC scientist Sally Aitken on trees, genomics and climate; and a different kind of forestry takes root in BC’s Nootka Sound.

Finally, US Endowment highlights the first dam project to use a nanocellulose enhanced concrete.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

New Brunswick’s Court of Appeal ruled that private forest land can’t be included in landmark Aboriginal title case—but the Wolastoqey Nation plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. In other Business news: the Bragg Group is the successful bidder for Northern Pulp’s timberlands; Drax pauses plan for pellet capacity expansion; Brink Forest Products begins 3-week curtailment; and an overview of the USMCA trade hearings. Meanwhile: Steelworkers Marty Warren’s year-end message; and MP Todd Doherty’s call for a softwood agreement.

In Forestry news: more on NRCan’s forestry job cuts; arrests continue at Vancouver Island logging blockade; the US House safeguards aerial fire retardant use; a Montana judge blocks logging in grizzly bear habitat; and the case for letting Idaho manage US federal lands. Meanwhile: Texas A&M celebrates mass timber; and the latest wood product news courtesy of  the Softwood Lumber Board and naturally:wood.

Finally, New Zealand firms merge to create the largest forest management company in Australasia.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

President Trump revives talk of scrapping the North American trade pact—but time may not be on his side. In related news: Canada’s ambassador to the US, Kirsten Hillman is leaving her post; and a new report says tariffs are hurting every US border state. In other Business news: a strike has been called at Krugers’s LaSalle plant; more questions on the future of Terrace Bay’s pulp mill; and the fight to save Viking Lumber in Alaska. Meanwhile, the US interest rate reduction will help; Home Depot forecasts slower growth; and RYAM’s CEO De Lyle Bloomquist is retiring.

In Forestry/Climate news: the US Congress renews funding for rural counties and schools; concerns mount over changes to the US Endangered Species Act; the US Forest Service reduced wildfire risk treatments in 2025; Mosaic Forest Management is revamping its backcountry access strategy; and Weyerhaeuser signs a biocarbon MOU.

Finally, how the Next Big Thing in Carbon Removal sunk without a trace.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC’s NDP government plans to amend its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) after a Court ruled that it must serve as a binding lens on all provincial laws. Notable commenters include:

• Rob Shaw (BIV): The unintended consequences of DRIPA
• Vaughn Palmer (Vancouver Sun): Was Eby really surprised?
• Chief Terry Teegee in Global News: DRIPA amendments would have a negative impact

In other Business news: Ontario invests in biomass heating, and biocoal from forest biomass projects; BC’s independent lumber manufacturers’ survival is threatened; US cabinetmakers say Canada is a conduit for Chinese products; and West Fraser’s Al Caputo is retiring after 40 years. Meanwhile, Canada holds firm on interest rates, while the US expects to make a cut.

In Forestry/Climate news: a Nature study projecting climate costs has been retracted over analytical flaws—sparking debate over what the revised figures will show; and America’s ponderosa pine is in decline due to climate change and wildfires.

Finally, a new book by professor Trent Preszler: Evergreen, The Trees That Shaped America.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The proposed green hydrogen production facility located at the Kruger Kamloops Pulp Mill progresses to the engineering phase. In other Business news: a Nanaimo City bylaw may penalize owners of Harmac Pacific pulp mill; and more on West Fraser’s recent sawmill and OSB mill closures. Meanwhile: Interfor announced CFO and COO leadership changes; and the latest from the Wood Pellet Association of Canada.

In Forestry/Climate news: BC Premier Eby is accused of ‘mixed messages’ on old growth logging; RCMP make more arrests at BC’s Walbran valley blockade; the US push for logging could boost Pittsburgh-area communities; Montana ENGOs rally in support of Roadless Rule; Arkansas’ growing forests come with health problems; Nick Smith opines on what US forest inaction looks like; and family forestry carbon credit programs have a poor track record.

Finally, the more we study forests, the more its seems like plants might be cooperating.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada union says cuts at Natural Resources Canada threaten science-based expertise on forest fires and sustainable resource management. In related news: Western Forest Products sawmill curtailments to extend into 2026; Packaging Corporation of America to partially close its Wallula, Washington containerboard plant; and Campbell River mayor says Crofton mill closure is a warning BC can no longer ignore. 

In Forestry/Climate news: 2025 wildfire emissions reach records in Europe and Canada; EU Council and Parliament reach deal on deforestation regulation; Ontario’s logging roads provide vital infrastructure; BC Timber Sales to harvest old-growth in the northwest; and an Okanagan activist says loggers use fire mitigation for profit. Meanwhile: the Washington Forest Industry gears up for 2026 legislative session; and the implications of Australia’s new forestry standards remains unclear.

Finally, optimism for salmon stream restoration near Gold River, BC—with Western Forest Product’s support.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

In another hit to Canada’s forest industry, West Fraser Timber is indefinitely curtailing its High Level, Alberta, OSB mill; and Brink Forest Products is temporarily closing its value-added mills in northern BC. In related news: BC leaders are hopeful new buyers will continue operating the Crofton pulp mill; and Tolko’s Williams Lake mill remains down after fire. Meanwhile, Boise Cascade’s Jeff Strom succeeds Nate Jorgensen as CEO; and West Fraser’s Sean McLaren is elected American Wood Council Board Chair.

In Forestry news: Health Canada is unmoved by retraction of glyphosate study; Ben Parfitt opines on what’s behind the Crofton mill closure; Alice Palmer is unsettled by the lack of empathy in BC’s forestry debate; and Arizona research on the cost and value of Wildland-Urban Interface building requirements. Meanwhile: a UK firm secures financing for fungi-based tree health pellets; and New Zealanders have fire safety worries about IKEA’s pine plantations.

Finally, US tariffs on Chinese fake Christmas trees could drive business to live tree lots.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Domtar Wood Products announced it is curtailing lumber production by 100 million bf in 2025. In related news: Domtar’s Crofton pulp mill closure underscores the urgency of BC’s forest crisis; Darron Kloster (Times Colonist) says industry blames province for mill closure; Penny Daflow (CTV) says Crofton had been importing US pulp to reduce costs; Rob Shaw (CHEK) says Eby rules out old growth logging to extend life of mill; and Kruger says pulp business in still good in Kamloops.

In other news: despite warnings, Trump dangles CUSMA trade deal withdrawal; US hardwood mills warn of closures; Roseburg closes Weed, California veneer plant; and RoyOMartin announces CEO change. Meanwhile: Canfor is acquiring 100% of Canfor Pulp’s shares; Vancouver Island forestry strike enters 6th month; and Ontario launches advance wood construction working group.

Finally, wooden skyscrapers and research advancements in wood fibre fabrics.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Domtar announced the permanent closure of its pulp mill in Crofton, BC, impacting 350 workers. Comments on the announcement include:

• Forest Minister Ravi Parmar: We owe it to the workers to leave no stone unturned to paying good paying forestry jobs
• COFI President Kim Haakstad: BC must act with urgency to stabilize wood supply
• North Cowichan Mayor Rob Douglas: This is devastating news for the workers and community

In other Business news: Ottawa declines industry request for lumber duty payouts; US WoodWorks opens call for nominations for Wood in Architecture Awards; and WoodWorks BC appoints Annabelle Hamilton as new executive director.

In Forestry/Climate news: David Elstone and Jim Girvan push back on Business in Vancouver article on BC’s allowable cut determinations; a BC resource sector coalition urges governments to pause DRIPA; and the UK’s reliance on biomass energy generation reaches new heights.

Finally, Walbran logging protesters employ unsafe behaviours with substantial safety risks.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Metsä Fibre looks to curtail four sawmills for up to 90 days—affecting 350 workers. In related news: the fed’s tariff initiatives may help Canadian forestry stocks; Canada’s lawmakers get a forestry update; a fire damages Tolko’s Williams Lake mill; Sweden’s forest industry reports sharp decline; and construction prices rise despite lumber woes. 

In Forestry/Climate news: West Fraser faces a logging blockade in Alberta; and the Washington Forest Protection Association is suing over the state’s new stream buffer rule. Meanwhile: UBC names tree scientist Shawn Mansfield Distinguished Scholar; Western Forestry Contractors announce their 2026 AGM speakers; the Wood Pellet Association of Canada names Michael Fantillo a Safety Hero; and the latest news from FSC Canada and the Canada Wood Group.

Finally, a Chicago County tackles invasive species with grazing goats rather than herbicides.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Ahead of public hearings, US industry groups urge renewal of Canada-US-Mexico trade agreement. In other Business news: New Brunswick woodlot owner says the tariff situation is not sustainable; BC looks for new markets in the Far East; and no injuries reported at BiOrigin paper mill fire in Ontario. Meanwhile: Roy O. Martin III is recognized by Louisiana Tech; New Zealand welcomes the world’s first mass timber aircraft maintenance hangar; and Burnaby, BC, employs mass timber to add warmth to new ice arena.

In Forestry/Climate news: no roadmap emerged to end deforestation, but COP30 still delivered for forests; ENGO questions AAC determinations in BC; Montana thins to create grizzly bear habitat; ENGOs sue the US Forest Service over Nolichucky River logging; Colorado’s burned forests hold less snowpack; and Metsä Group sets up its own PEFC certification group. Meanwhile: the Forest History Association of BC’s AGM is tonight.

Finally, the BC Marmot Recovery Foundation is making progress, and it has the video to prove it. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Conifex Timber announced it will temporarily curtail operations at its Mackenzie, BC sawmill. In related news: the United Steelworkers and Unifor welcomed Prime Minister Carney’s forest sector aid; New Brunswick and British Columbia leaders express worry over looming closures; and Nova Scotia’s Northern Pulp bid is defended as supporting forestry. Meanwhile: mass timber makes news in Castlegar and Penticton, BC; Japan’s housing starts turn positive, and Russia’s forestry is contracting.

In Forestry/Climate news: researchers says Africa’s forests have turned from a carbon sink to a carbon source; more arrests are made at BC’s Walbran valley protest; Arizona loggers want to keep thinning projects funded; Jason Fisher’s latest update on the Forest Enhancement Society of BC; the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s Arctic Bioenergy Summit; and Tom Radovich is appointed Minnesota Forest Industries’ new CEO. 

Finally, how drones are making steep-slope layout and post-fire assessments safer in BC.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Prime Minister Carney announced new tariff support for Canada’s lumber and steel industries. In related news: Carney pins hopes on domestic consumption; FPAC emphasizes need for a softwood lumber agreement; COFI says BC also needs to take action on competitiveness; BC’s Forest Minister says its a good start; a New Brunswick insider says it won’t make a difference; and the US Lumber Coalition says its an abuse of the US market. In other Business news: Williams Lake mayor is blindsided by Drax’s announcement of pellet plant closure; and more on New Brunswick’s fallout from Maine mill wood suspension.

In Forestry/Climate news: the European Parliament approved a one-year extension to its deforestation law; the European Union adopted a new Bioeconomy strategy; Domtar plans to continue reporting GHGs despite EPA’s reporting change; and Drax responds to ENGO claims of tree-burning. Meanwhile: protesters returned to BC’s Walbran valley after arrests; and North Cowichan reaffirmed its forestry plan commitments.

Finally: Ken Kalesnikoff announced his company’s transition to fourth generation family leadership.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

RCMP enforced an injunction on logging protests in the Walbran Valley near Port Renfrew, BC. In related news: ENGO’s sue the US Forest Service over logging in Pisgah National Forest; FSC to modify its rule on logging in Intact Forest Landscapes; a new report says big banks are still investing in tropical deforestation; and Brazil’s COP30 star faces environmental challenges of her own. Meanwhile: BC is hosting a national wildfire symposium; and Oregon senators seek wildfire disaster relief.

In Business news: Canada will increase loan support for struggling lumber companies; Maple Transport is opening a logistics hub in Kincheloe, Michigan; and US Forest Owner’s David Tenny opines on America’s sawdust problem. Meanwhile: US consumer confidence fell sharply; US building material prices rose; bamboo scaffolding contributed to high-rise fires in Hong Kong; and a UBC professor pokes holes in mass timber’s climate credentials.

Finally, an 1887 California redwood crusader’s untimely death at the hands of a dentist.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

COP30’s focus on a fossil fuel phase-out may have doomed progress on deforestation roadmap. In related news: Canada stays the course with net zero future; and ENGOs say a wide tapestry of climate actions still remain. In Forestry news: the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation bans herbicide use in Northern BC; the US Forest Service honours its Native American heritage; and BC responds to reports of chronic wasting disease in deer. 

In Business news: two US senators introduce The Sawmill Act to help local mills grow; Ottawa’s pending softwood package linked to the BC-Alberta pipeline fight; Northern Ontario’s forest industry seeks market diversification; and Fannie Mae anticipates some improvement in US housing starts in 2026. Meanwhile: Monadnock Paper Mills appoints Andrew Manns as CEO.

Finally, RONA joins DoorDash to offer on-demand delivery for home improvement projects.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

COP30 ends with a compromise deal, but fails to create roadmaps to phase out fossil fuels and deforestation. In other Forestry/Climate news: Canada winds down its 2-B planting program; why zombie fires are bad for boreal forests; and how US longleaf pine forests have changed over time. Meanwhile: BC reduces TFL 49’s allowable cut 26%; Prince Edward Island’s new waste-powered energy facility; and a new book on how wood-frame buildings shaped five US cities.

In Business news: Trump holds off on additional 10% tariff on Canada; US senators say relations with Canada are suffering; US industries weigh in on the pending CUSMA review; Pierre Poilievre says tariffs would be different if he was PM; why a lack of timber is causing BC mills to close; rebalancing Europe’s wood resources; and US consumer sentiment remains on edge.

Finally, UBC’s Lori Daniels is honoured with an award; and sadly, BC Distinguished Forester Bruce Devitt dies at 92.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Nova Scotia enters bidding for Northern Pulp assets, challenging Macer’s stalking horse bid. In related news: Nova Scotia invests $1.8 million in support of forestry innovation; Maine’s senators want tariff relief for forest products; the mayor of Williams Lake, BC says tariffs are killing my town; and the shuttered Acorn sawmill in Delta, BC is consumed by fire. Meanwhile: the Softwood Lumber Board’s solution to industry’s demand problem; Michigan’s support for mass timber use; and the UK’s 2025 Wood Award winners. 

In Forestry/Climate news: a UN report says forests drive agricultural success; NRCan helps forest pest managers understand climate change impacts; Canada launches a new Climate Competitive Strategy, roles back it anti-greenwashing rules; Ontario’s opposition tables bill to address urban wildfire risks; Canada’s wood pellet industry on turning wildfire recovery into renewable energy; and Woodlots BC updates its tool kit.

Finally, considering the TLA Convention and Trade Show as an investment opportunity. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC’s trade mission to Japan and South Korea is expected to boost demand for BC lumber. In related news: the US Lumber Coalition pans Massachusetts Governor Healey’s call to lift Canadian tariffs; while Dovetail Partners says tariffs are short-sighted and bad for trade. In Company news: Arbec suspends OSB operations at Quebec mill; the USDA funds sawmill expansion at Wisconsin’s Timber Professionals; PotlatchDeltic loses its FSC certification in Minnesota; Domtar reports waste leak at Kingsport mill; and ThirdGen Timber acquires majority share of BC’s True North Log & Timber. 

In Forestry/Climate news: the US plans to roll back protections for endangered species; the US EPA unveils changes to the Clean Water Act; and the Council of European Union pushes for delay of EU deforestation regulation. Meanwhile: Forest minister Parmar defends BC’s harvesting practices; David Suzuki headlines BC-wide forestry protests; and newsletter updates from BC Wood and WorkSafeBC.

Finally, the use of this rare wood pits violinists against environmentalists in Brazil. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The US Lumber Coalition and American Loggers Council pan Canadian subsidies, call on Trump to increase tariff measures. In related news: Prime Minister Carney’s budget includes carbon targets; Maine’s Woodland Pulp curtails operations, stops using New Brunswick softwoods; West Fraser workers are heartbroken over BC mill closure; Hampton Lumber breaks ground on its South Carolina mill; and EU and UK timber industry groups unite over illegal imports from Russia.

In Forestry/Climate news: a leaked report claims BC’s timber harvest is overstated; BC forestry protests urge reduced AACs, forestry reforms; Brazil pushes for climate progress at COP30; CO280 completes carbon capture pilot as US pulp mill; California researchers say prescribed burning helps store forest carbon; and Virginia Tech to advance remote sensing technologies.

Finally, the Softwood Lumber Board expands its mass timber Accelerator Cities Program.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

International Paper is closing two packaging plants (in California and Kentucky) amid weak demand. In related news: Ontario’s Kap Paper seeks to reinvent itself; BMI ends plans to re-open the long-shuttered Prince Alberta pulp mill; BC hopes to attract private sector investment; and a new federal softwood support package is in the works. Meanwhile: Canada’s inflation rates eases as housing starts fall; and mass timber is featured in Toronto and Delta, Alabama.

In Forestry news: Parks Canada is planting endangered whitebark pine in Alberta; a BC First Nation turns forest waste into biochar; an ENGO group kicks off a BC-wide protest; South Carolina conserves 62,000 acres of forest; and firefighters respond to wildfire in Mark Twain National Forest.

Finally, University of BC researchers launch a mushroom-powered, waterless toilet.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Global deforestation slows but forests remain under pressure—FAO report shows. In COP30 news: fossil fuel transition emerges as key fight; the push for carbon pricing; and rewriting the economics of conservation. In Forestry/Wildfire news: Alberta directs West Fraser’s harvest to high-risk areas; Newfoundland builds firebreaks on Avalon Peninsula; Canada’s wood pellet sector’s support for sustainable forestry; and new research on the impact of drift-logs on intertidal ecosystems.

In Business news: Interfor reopens mill with one shift in Grand Forks; Port McNeill’s mayor points to Asia diversification; South Korea signs trade-pact with US; New Zealand targets India for growth; Tennessee hardwood firms seek tariff relief; and Georgia’s industry pins its future on innovation not tariffs. Meanwhile: the BC Forest Practices Board is seeking a new chair; Jeff Ward is elected head of international lumber fraternity; and a new book features the bowels of a pulp mill.

Finally, Western Forest Products, Tolko and Bear Safety Services honoured by BC Forest Safety Council.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor