Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

Happy Thanksgiving to our readers in Canada! The Frogs will be back Tuesday.

Canada’s forest sector expressed disappointment that the Carney-Trump talks were silent on lumber tariffs. In related commentary: reciprocal tariffs ‘are not enough’ for some US hardwood producers; there’s no national security basis for Trump’s furniture tariffs; and the Vietnam wood industry is in shock. In other Business news: BC’s expanding strike includes professional engineers and foresters; US remodellers remain optimistic; the UK faces challenges despite record sales; and a new report on construction’s plastic problem.

In Forestry/Climate news: demand for wood fibre has changed in the US; new research on why some carbon projects overestimate their CO2 benefits; and an Arctic Bioenergy Summit and Tour is announced. Meanwhile: CIF’s 2025 National Award recipients; and BC’s latest mass timber project-support recipients.

Finally, The Oak and the Larch: A Forest History of Russia and Its Empires.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Interfor’s lumber mill in Grand Forks, BC to take an extended maintenance shutdown. In related news: MLA Ward Stamer says BC’s industry is in crisis; Trump and Carney avoid collision (save for a nasty comment or two); FPAC’s Derek Nighbor says lumber can’t be left behind; and lumber production continues to outpace demand. Meanwhile: Unifor is reassured on future of Domtar’s Kénogami plant; Sappi and  UPM plan to reduce their paper production in Finland; and the EU imposes duties on Brazil plywood. 

In Forestry/Climate news: Interfor’s news has BC Timber Sales bracing for selling problems; US groups urge Brussels not to cave on deforestation law; and Amazon rainforest hits record CO2 emissions from forest fires.

Finally, Rooted in Strength: Forestry Technician program in Pembroke, Ontario enters 58th year.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Despite ‘positive‘ meeting with President Trump, Prime Minister Carney returns home without a deal to remove US tariffs. In related news: Alberta’s Premier Smith speaks to US trade tensions at AFPA meeting; John Brink says tariffs on lumber are bizarre; and FPAC’s Derek Nighbor say’s there’s a reason Americans want Canadian wood. In other Business news: Cascades sells its Flexible Packaging plant in Mississauga; Canada’s trade gap widens; and lumber futures ease.

In other news: could offsite construction be Canada’s homebuilding’s saviour; mass timber takes centre stage in North Bay, Ontario; scientists say Canada’s forests are drying out; and its Fire Prevention week in America. Meanwhile: COFI announced its 2025 Forestry Scholarship recipients; UBC’s Faculty of Forestry received two CIF Awards; SFI-US announced Forest Stewardship Standard 2.0; and NeLMA elected Hancock Lumber’s Matt Duprey as board chair.

Finally, the first rural hospital-base air ambulance program was started by a Montana logger.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

United Steelworkers union called on Prime Minister Carney to defend Canadian jobs ahead of today’s meeting with President Trump — while the US Lumber Coalition accused Canada of trying to scuttle US trade law enforcement. In other Business news: Ontario invests in Daikin’s Huntsville plant; Domtar releases post-integration sustainability report; Mondi warns of weak pulp and paper demand; Metsä may cut 800 jobs; Weyerhaeuser invests in Buckhannon, West Virginia; and the EPA looks into wood-industry pollution in Missoula’s rivers.

In other news: Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley wildfire is still out-of-control; Canadian wildfire experts met at Thompson Rivers University; a wildfire conference kicks-off in Colorado; and the US Forest Service is falling behind on wildfire prevention. Meanwhile: NAWLA presented the prestigious John J. Mulrooney Award to Donna Whitaker; and APA – The Engineered Wood Association appointed John Beers board chair, and honoured Jim Enright as 2025 Bronson Lewis Award Recipient.

Finally, Canada’s last hockey stick factory faces headwinds but is still standing.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Federal and Provincial governments have agreed to support Ontario’s Kapuskasing Paper Mill, averting its closure. In related news: Carney and Trump meet tomorrow to talk trade and tariffs; Derek Nighbor says Canada needs an outcomes-based regulatory framework; the Decorative Hardwoods industry wants Section 232 tariffs broadened; while the Canadian Lumber Trade Alliance and New Brunswick lumber producers voiced their concern and displeasure. Meanwhile: the Forest Enhancement Society of BC is looking for new projects; and Erik Wilson joins PLIB as Executive VP.

In Forestry news: BC and ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation reach decision-making agreement; rescinding the roadless rule may threaten Virginia and Ohio’s national forests; a forester pushes back on Washington’s buffer rule for non-fish streams; Oregon’s Douglas firs face unprecedented dieback; and California’s Garnet Fire may have sterilized the soil. Meanwhile: agri-food companies say the EU deforestation law delay will endanger forests.

Finally; Forested Future – a documentary on US hardwood forests is premiering this Fall.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

A new study by wildfire experts says BC must spend more now on wildfire mitigation to avoid dire consequences in the future. In related news: the US shutdown is causing confusion across the US Forest Service; FSC suspends its MOU with Asia Pacific Resources; and the amount of land suitable for planting is said to fall short of what’s required for emissions-reduction.

In Business news: Prime Minister Carney to return to Washington as Trump’s tariffs hit lumber and other sectors hard; Ontario’s value added manufacturers condemn the punitive tariffs; the NY Times says new tariffs could worsen US housing crisis; and Fannie Mae tweaks its US economic outlook. Meanwhile: Union and Kapuskasing residents rally to save the Kap Paper mill; and Ric Sinclair takes the helm at ForestrySA in South Australia.

Finally, the latest news from Woodlots BC and the BC Community Forest Association.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC Premier Eby says American tariffs on BC lumber are absurd, means Russia now has preferential access to the US market. In related commentary: 

• USW’s Jeff Bromley: US tariffs are a devastating blow to workers & communities
• ERA’s Kevin Mason: Demand is not coming to the rescue for the forest industry
• IWPA’s Brian Menzies: BC Independent Wood Processors are frustrated
• Brink FP’s John Brink: New softwood tariffs mean layoffs, closures likely
• BC Conservative’s Ward Stamer: I’m underwhelmed by government’s response

In other news: Mi’kmaw say they won’t leave even if Nova Scotia passes controversial law; Northern Ontario officials call on feds to stop Kap Paper mill closure; plans for Saskatchewan OSB mill are still underway; and lumber market analyses by RISI and ResourceWise. Meanwhile: the USDA expects to furlough half its workforce during US government shut down; and US Consumer confidence fell to a 5-month low.

Finally, the latest news from FSC Canada; Wood Pellet Association of Canada; and Australian Forest Products Association.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Imposition of additional duties on Canadian lumber is unjustified, says FPAC’s Derek Nighbor. In related commentary:

• NAHB’s Buddy Hughes: New tariffs add headwinds to housing market
• BCLTC’s Kurt Niquidet: Tariffs will drive up US housing costs
• Analyst Daryl Swetlishoff: Stage is set for additional decreases in lumber capacity
• FreightWaves Magazine: Tarrifs will inflate costs, impact truck safety
• USB in Seeking Alpha: Tariffs could add $8,900 to cost of building a home
• New Zealand Timber Industry: tariffs are disruptive but 10% is better than feared

In other news: Ottawa says its still working to keep Ontario’s Kapuskasing paper mill open; GreenFirst announced temporary mill curtailments to reassess its operations; South Carolina’s industry works to expand markets; Domtar supports conservation efforts in Newfoundland; and Montana’s Bitterroot logging project clears legal challenge.

Finally, an interview with BC’s Ministry of Forests’ new deputy minister Makenzie Leine.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Trump imposed 10% tariff on lumber in another blow to Canadian producers. In response: the BC Lumber Trade Council expressed deep disappointment; Ontario’s leaders voiced alarm; and the US Lumber Coalition applauded the move. In other Business news: Trump’s national security tariffs are unaffected by court challenges and government shutdowns; Kap Paper is idling its Kapuskasing mill—sparking Ontario leaders’ indignation at Ottawa; Stella-Jones is acquiring Brooks Manufacturing; and North Cowichan’s mayor seeks action on sawmill curtailments.

In other news: Jock Finlayson opines on BC’s forestry decline; John Desjarlais tells Fairy Creek protestors to respect Indigenous choices; and a new report says old logging roads pose landslide risks. Meanwhile, the latest BC First Nations Forest Council news, project updates by the Forest Enhancement Society of BC; UBC Researcher Rosalia Jaffray is awarded Christopher Lee Memorial Scholarship; and Indigenous-owned Dallan LP receives national forestry award.

Finally, today marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — Orange Shirt Day — a time for reflection across Canada.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Ontario announced $30M for forest road transportation and woodchip market support. In related news: Canada–US trade talks may drag into 2027; work continues to keep Ontario’s Kap Paper open; Roseburg closed its Dillard plywood plant; Musser Biomass is partnering with Trex; CHAR Tech’s wood waste-to-energy facility progresses; and Kalesnikoff wins a construction association award. Meanwhile: pulp mill waste can remove toxic dyes, and researchers develop nanocellulose foams for packaging.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: the USDA is set to close many Forest Service offices in Alaska and Oregon; a report connecting BC’s forest past to its Indigenous future; two perspectives on BC Timber Sales reforms; Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere celebrates 25-years; rain brings relief at the Munro Lake fire near Peachland; a Minnesota firefighter is killed by a falling tree; and wildfires spur Spain to rethink forest management.

Finally, FPAC honoured Rising Star Karah Morehouse, Indigenous youth Amy Oester and Grace Currie, and Women in Forestry leaders Laura Trout and Marie-Noëlle Watts.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

President Trump announced 50% tariffs on all kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, citing national security reasons . In other Business news: Canada seeks trade diversification with Indonesia; Roseburg Forest Products ceases hardwood plywood production; and Interfor announces share plan to reduce debt. Meanwhile: Vaughn Palmer opines on BC’s Timber Sale promises; BC lumber takes another hit; the Softwood Lumber Board’s incremental demand goals; and US GDP rebounds while mortgage rates trend down.

In Forestry/Climate news: 34 nations launch forest finance blueprint at New York Climate Week; Canada supports global reforestation efforts; researchers study the tradeoffs between storing and burning forest carbon; and BC’s Dragon Mountain Park is at risk without wildfire mitigation. Meanwhile: Tim O’Hara says the US H-2B Visa program is critical for US reforestation needs; staff shortages pull US Forest Service workers into fire roles; US funding cuts impact cross-border conservation efforts; and a judge pauses logging in Hoosier National Forest. 

Finally, Alice Palmer on why anti-dumping duties make no sense in commodity markets.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The Canadian lumber industry pushed back on US claims that Canada’s aid package warrants Section 232 tariff action. In related news: the US kitchen cabinet industry urged action against imports; Fraserview Cedar is set to restart Port Alberni sawmill; Ottawa weighs options to prevent the closure of Kap Paper; Louisiana dedicated sawmill built by Hunt and Tolko; and Georgia braces for International Paper layoffs.

In Forestry/Climate news: Quebec scrapped its controversial forestry reform bill; Trump’s logging goals face headwinds; BC mayors launch Alliance to defend resource jobs; Alberta Premier pushes for wildfire mitigation; SFI and McMaster collaborate on Climate Smart Forestry initiative; Silvacom and Kee Tas Kee Now Sawmills announce new partnership; critics urge Ottawa to accelerate its 2 Billion Trees program; and more on EU’s plan to delay its deforestation regulation. Meanwhile: FPAC announced two Partnership Award winners; and Ken Kalesnikoff welcomes changes at BC Timber Sales.

Finally, a modest drop in US mortgage rates led to a large jump in new home sales.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC’s forestry crisis triggered changes to BC Timber Sales (BCTS), and the establishment of three new Community Forests. In related news: COFI says the BCTS changes are not ambitious enough; Steelworkers say the crisis calls for joint effort; and Aspen Planers halts operations due to a lack of logs. In other Business news: Canada drops two appeals of US anti-dumping duties; the Softwood Lumber Board approves plan to add 2.9 BBF in demand by 2035; and a deep-dive in the US unemployment rates.

In Forestry/Climate news: North Vancouver Island mayors warn their region is “one mill closure away” from collapse; Nova Scotia introduces legislation to curb Crown land protests; USDA invests $200M in wildfire risk reduction; commenters overwhelmingly oppose the US Roadless Rule repeal; Trump calls climate change a con job; scientists warn climate change could erase 80% of whitebark pine habitat; and Brazil’s President Lula pledges $1B for tropical forest protection.

Finally, FPAC honoured Kalin Uhrich and Tom Nudds with its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Awards, the CWC announced its 41st annual Wood Design & Building Awards; and BC advances 4 new mass-timber demonstration projects.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The European Commission plans to delay its anti-deforestation rules again—citing the need to reduce red tape. In other Forestry news: the USDA’s Roadless Rule outreach garnered a massive response; WWF-Canada’s Living Planet Report says over half of species are in decline; Vancouver Island mayors and MP Gunn say BC forestry is in crisis;  Apple launches project to protect California redwoods; the US Forest Service reflects on Hurricane Helene recovery; and the unexpected upside of Canada’s wildfires.

In Company news: Western Forest Products will curtail ~50 million board feet in BC, Interfor secures $5M to upgrade its Sault Ste. Marie mill, Acadian Timber invests in digital forestry at University of New Brunswick; Canadian Kraft Paper says First Nations suit in The Pas, Manitoba should be tossed; and a Sustainable Timber Tasmania error resulted in protester charges being dropped. Meanwhile, perspectives on what’s wrong with housing policy in Ontario and the United States.

Finally, FPAC honoured MP Gord Johns and Mayors Spencer Coyne and Crystal McAteer with the 2025 Jim Carr Forest Community Champion Award.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The US ambassador to Canada says a softwood solution is desirable but will be very, very difficult. In related news: Canada’s lumber industry braces for trade war; both BC and Ontario support their value-added wood manufacturers; and Section 232 duties may derail a home construction comeback. In other Business news: unions join Quebec First Nations against Bill 97; the explosion at Fiberon’s South Carolina facility was likely from wood dust; cardboard-box demand is slumping; lumber futures tick down; and wood-pulp-based fibres hold steady.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: COFI and TLA say forestry is the solution for BC; Canada’s Supreme Court won’t hear Green Party deputy leader’s appeal over Fairly Creek protests; logging protesters in BC’s Walbran Valley brace for possible arrest; Vernon climate activists call for forestry reform; Yukon completes a wildfire protection plan; Oregon senators announce funding to reduce wildfire risk; and Virginia’s governor launches funding for hurricane Helene recovery.

Finally, Alberta’s Minister of Forest is early out-of-the-gate on National Forest Week.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canada launched consultations on the North American trade pact, made concessions on some US lumber duties. In related news: Prime Minister Carney announced partnership with Mexico; what to expect in the CUSMA review; the US amended its 2023 softwood duty review; and lumber duties fail to prop up prices. In other Business news: La-kwa sa muqw Forestry pursues legal action to end Steelworkers strike; Sweden’s Billerud will cut 650 jobs amid weak European demand; tariffs put Milwaukee’s record-breaking mass timber skyscraper on hold; and Air New Zealand opens a landmark timber-arch hangar.

In Forestry/Climate news: the US National Academy of Sciences rebuffs EPA’s climate findings; new research adds to wildfire’s health-threat impact; Mosaic Forest Management released findings from its public feedback survey; US researchers developed a genomic model to forecast forest futures; mixed-species forests are not always more drought resilient; and a $10M gift secures protection of Maine’s Barnard Forest.

Finally, Derek Nighbor: From decline to growth: getting Canadian forestry’s swagger back.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Prime Minister Carney is meeting with Mexican President Sheinbaum, while the US seeks stakeholder input prior to trade negotiations. In other Business news: Canada seeks a binational panel review in lumber dispute; Canfor Vida AB completes Swedish sawmill acquisition; Element5 opens a $107M Ontario mass timber expansion; Northern Ontario leaders warn of Kapuskasing’s paper mill closure; and a new $10M sawmill is announced in South Carolina. Meanwhile: FPInnovations releases handbook for Offsite Wood Construction; American Forests appoints Hilary Franz as CEO; and the latest from BC Wood Specialties Group.

In Forestry/Climate news: Canada’s 2024 GHG emissions show stalled progress; Indigenous leaders reflect as National Forest Week nears; Forests Canada reaches 50M trees planted; BC Wildlife Federation comments on dry forests; and debate continues over logging in BC’s Tsitika watershed. Meanwhile: US insurers press lawmakers on wildfire reforms; making the environmental case for fire retardant, and a Nature study says Europe’s forestry disturbance costs could double.

Finally, a safety infestation says the fatal Fremont pellet plant explosion was preventable.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canada’s inflation rate eased in August, interest rate cut tomorrow is now all but certain. In other Business news: Steelworkers are frustrated with the forestry strike on Vancouver Island; Unifor is set to meet on future of Domtar’s Kénogami and Dolbeau plants; Arkansas State University recognized West Fraser’s workforce contributions; and CO280 initiated carbon removal project in Canada. Meanwhile: CWC and FPAC applaud the creation of the Build Canada Homes agency; Canada’s housing starts tumble 16%; and China’s weakened economy drives lower log imports.

In Forestry/Climate news: Sweden and Finland urge revision of EU’s forestry climate targets; the US agencies issue memorandum on wildfire response reforms; US forestry stakeholders promote biomass power; US Senators seek renewed funding of Women in Wildfire Boot Camp; BC Forest Minister Parmar visits the UBC Malcolm Knapp Research Forest; and the BC Forest Practices Board to audit biodiversity practices in the Mackenzie District.

Finally, via Zoom tonight, BC Forest History Association Speaker Series presents Larry Pedersen, BC’s 14th Chief Forester.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

A BC Supreme Court judge granted an injunction against logging protesters in BC’s Walbran Valley. In related news: the First Nation forest company responds; the protesters dig-in, and ENGO’s decry the lack of old-growth protections. Meanwhile: Port Hawkesbury Paper suspends logging in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; the Na̲nwak̲olas Council celebrates the role of First Nations in forestry; US Forestry Chief lauds active land management; and the Roadless Rule public comment period nears end. Finally, as the EU Deforestation Regulation nears its start, opposition and compliance measures pick up.

In Business news: Derek Nighbor and John Desjarlais recommended policy prescription for Canada’s economy; the diversification challenge for Canada’s softwood lumber producers; Prime Minister Carney’s new housing agency; President Trump’s duty-free list adds wood pulp codes; and USA BioEnergy is transforming an old plywood mill into a biorefinery in Texas. Meanwhile: mass timber is going mainstream in BC; University of Maine researchers turn wood into medicine; and the UK’s Green Paper will transform timber specification.

Finally, it’s See Tracks? Think Train® Week (formerly Rail Safety Week).

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The US Fed is still expected to cut interest rates next week despite a jump in inflation. In other Business news: the scope of pollution from Washington’s defunct Cosmopolis pulp mill is unknown; Russia’s Segezha Group cuts 350 jobs at its Novoeniseysk sawmill; and EU wood pellet consumption is set to rebound. Meanwhile: FSC US announced its 2025 Leadership Awards, while SFI Canada highlighted funding for Indigenous-led Climate Smart projects.

In BC Forestry news: more on the Pacheedaht First Nation effort to end the Walbran Valley blockade; Williams Lake is hosting a ‘contemplative forestry‘ workshop; Prince George protesters call for an end to glyphosate spraying; and UBC forestry prof Shannon Hagerman on environmental social science in forestry. Elsewhere: Nova Scotia funds projects to save hemlock trees; Ontario clears storm-felled timber from Samuel de Champlain Park; Coulson says Saskatchewan paid too much for its new firefighting planes; the UK opened a new seed bank; and the US decision to issue smoke masks to firefighters doesn’t apply to arduous work.

Finally: a NASA image of an Idaho’s forest chessboard reflects 19th century forest management.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Pacheedaht First Nation asserts sovereignty, calls for blockaders to leave BC’s Walbran Valley. In related news: Elder Bill Jones takes his own Nation to court; and the Walbran echoes BC’s attempt to saw the Carmanah Valley in half. In Forestry/Wildfire news: New Brunswick says there’s no evidence timber practices worsen wildfires; the US Forest Service Chief defends logging in hearing; the US Interior plans to rescind the Public Lands Rule; Colorado says past wildfires are reshaping forest regeneration; Ontario invests in invasive species projects; and a study says Canadian wildfire smoke caused 82,000 premature deaths.

In Business & Finance: Newfoundland extends its power-purchase agreement with Corner Brook Pulp & Paper; Georgia-Pacific plans to modernize its Alabama River Cellulose mill; Georgia leaders explore options after mill closures; US residential building material prices rise for the 4th straight month; and Canada’s first mixed-use tall mass timber Passive House building rises in Vancouver. Meanwhile: Trump lobbies the EU for 100% tariffs on China and India; and lumber’s steep price drop chills Trump’s timber ambitions.

Finally, BC’s 14th Chief Forester Larry Pedersen reflects on lessons from his tenure.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

A significant yard fire at Georgia Pacific’s Englehart, Ontario mill was contained without impacting operations. In other Business news: Oregon fined Stella-Jones $1M for environmental violations, Nova Scotia weighs bidding on Northern Pulp’s assets; West Fraser’s Minnesota OSB mill received a job creation grant; Drax is under pressure again in the UK; and Domtar adjusted communications on its Kingsport digester project. Meanwhile, Weaber Inc. filed for bankruptcy before its sawmill fire; TAPPI named Kim Nelson board chair; CMHC says Canada’s housing starts are flat; Russ Taylor calls lumber’s price drop “crazy”; and the US Fed signals that 3% inflation is the new 2%.

In Forestry news: Walbran Valley protesters persist as the TLA calls for resolution; BC officials change their mind on link between CN Rail to the Lytton fire; the Mi’kmaq blockades continue in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; the US Forest Service will allow masks for wildfire crews; Montana advocates push to rescind the Roadless Rule, and South Australia battles giant pine scale.

Finally, California crews are fighting to save a grove of sequoias from the Garnet Fire.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

US forest organizations ask Trump to act on crisis threatening America’s timber supply, rural economies, and energy security. In related news: Trump’s proposed change to the Roadless Rule gets pushback from Patagonia’s Ryan Gellert; former US Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck; and Alaska-based renewable energy expert Ariel Hasse-Zamudio; and researchers say boosting timber harvests won’t solve America’s wildfire problem.

North of the 49th: Prime Minister Carney’s Build Canada Strong announcement includes $3.5M for forestry in Northern Ontario; BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar and BC Wood Chair Kelly Marciniw celebrate the Global Buyers Mission; Tsawak-qin Forestry seeks removal of Walbran Valley protesters; a logging blockade heats up in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; and ENGOs raise glyphosate concerns in northeastern Ontario.

Elsewhere: Pixelle Specialty Solutions appoints Julie Schertell CEO; Georgia Pacific acquires Anchor Packaging; and Metsä Group’s carbon capture pilot plant is now online.

Finally, a new study says climate change makes lightning-sparked wildfires more frequent.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled billions in new funding and a Buy Canadian policy to help tariff-hit sectors. In related news: FPAC’s Derek Nighbor welcomed measures to strengthen Canadian industries; Lawerence Herman says the US Supreme Court will give Trump a tariff victory; and the AF&PA urges exclusion of Brazil pulp from tariffs. In other Business news: Kruger is restarting its Corner Brook Pulp & Paper mill; German equipment makers seek delay of EU deforestation law; and low lumber prices are called a warning sign, as US job growth slows and inflation ticks up.

In other news: the Canadian Wood Council advances steel-timber hybrid solutions; Netflix partners with the American Forest Foundation on carbon credits; US hearings offer outlet for unease with US Forest Service revamp; UBC professor Younes Alila says clearcut logging affects water; Wildsight says BC is failing to protect old-growth; and The Great Koala National Park is announced in Australia. Meanwhile: the Ontario Woodlot Association has a New Executive Director; and the latest FSC Canada newsletter.

Finally, Premier Eby opens BC Wood’s GBM, emphasizes value-added sector’s critical role.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Lumber futures, which have tumbled more than 20%, bounced back after Interfor announced a 12% output cut. In other Business news: Prime Minister Carney’s decision to lift tariffs on most US goods is debated as Carney hinted at progress with Trump call; COFI’s Kim Haakstad says increased US duties are a “blow to an industry in trouble”; Hood Industries is investing in a new Mississippi sawmill; and Vietnam’s wood exporters are recalibrating their trade strategies. Meanwhile, the US Endowment’s Peter Madden opines on how biomass can revitalize US forests; and  Canada’s housing starts are near record highs, except in Ontario.

In Forestry and Wildfire news: drought may dull Canada’s fall colours; BC’s late-season wildfires remain a serious issue; a BC logger is fighting to recover his timber licence deposit; the USDA’s new wildfire-risk funding targets North Carolina; an analysis finds most tropical forestry firms are not ready for the EU’s deforestation-free rules; and wildfire updates include the Mine Creek fire shutting BC’s Coquihalla highway, the Root Fire in California, and blazes in New Jersey.

Finally, California is piloting “BurnBot,” a remote-controlled machine that carves out fire breaks.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Citing market conditions, Interfor announced plans to reduce is lumber production by 12% across all regions. In related news: Domtar will temporarily close its sawmill in Maniwaki, Quebec; Canada seeks trade panel review of US lumber duty decision; Greif completes sale of Ohio containerboard business; and desptite challenges—Drax should retain UK support. Meanwhile: lumber futures fell again; and Russian lumber exports remain weak.

In Forestry news: the USDA invests $8M in timber production and forest health; Nanaimo Regional District purchases marsh land from Mosaic Forest Management; and Nova Scotia is no longer disclosing glyphosate spray locations. In Wildfire news: the BC Cariboo District issues an evacuation order; Whistler’s fire danger hits extreme; Ontario’s cottage country fires are a different kind of beast; and Spain and Portugal fires overwhelm firefighting resources.

Finally, from bustling lumber mill to ghost town — Lake Michigan’s buried history.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The US Court of Appeals ruled that many of Trump’s tariffs are illegal, but Treasury Secretary Bessent expects the Supreme Court to rule otherwise (and he has a backup plan if it doesn’t). In related news: Bessent said Trump may declare a national housing emergency this fall to tackle affordability; lumber futures fell to a four-month low; and US consumer sentiment fell 6% in August. In other Business news: San Group’s credit-protection process requires more time; UK’s Kingspan Timber is closing after 60 years; and wildfires are hurting tourism in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Ottawa is just over a 10th of the way to is 2 billion tree planting goal; debate continues over proposed changes to the US Roadless Rule; misinformation helped kill Oregon’s wildfire risk map; ENGOs call for an end to native logging in New South Wales, Australia; and wildfire updates from Saskatchewan and Oregon.

Finally, the history and future direction of wood science, and Portland’s proposed mass-timber research and manufacturing campus.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor 

The US Lumber Coalition says lumber price drop is due to weak housing market and excess Canadian supply. In other Business news: Unifor Canada says the US needs Canadian lumber; Savannah, Georgia questions International Paper’s mill closure; and Stella-Jones is fined for unlawful water pollution in Oregon. Meanwhile: the Danish timber industry bemoans burden of EU packaging rules; and palm oil companies say US’ EUDR exemption should apply to them too.

In Forestry/Wildfire new: BC’s North Cowichan council to make logging a strategic priority; a Lakehead University researcher says soils are key to carbon storage; and a Clemson University prof says wildfires impact soil too. Meanwhile: more Oregon cities are buying their forest watersheds; Washington States’ old-but-not-quite-old-growth conservation announcement; the latest from the BC Community Forest Association; and wildfire updates from BC, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Oregon.

Finally, happy Labour Day long weekend! The frogs are back on our pads Tuesday.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The Trump administration public comment period on rescinding the US Roadless Rule sparks ENGO opposition. In related news: a US House delegation visits Alaska; and a federal court allows White Mountain National Forest logging to proceed. Meanwhile: Drax faces UK probe into biomass sourcing; Sweden debates paying forest owners to store carbon; UBC Forestry expands its Combined Heat and Power Academy; UBC’s Melissa McHale earns a Wall Fellowship for climate resilience research; and Mississippi State University names its first endowed professor in innovative wood design.

In Business news: US railroads pursue mega-mergers while CPKC and BNSF reject consolidation; Arkansas’s Two Rivers Lumber gets a federal grant; South Carolina’s timber sector faces uncertainty; lumber futures approach bear market territory; and wood-framed homes market share rose in 2024. In Health & Safety news: Canadian wildfires erase years of air quality progress; mechanization reshapes logger health risks in the US Northeast; New Zealand releases new guidelines for forest safety; and the latest news from the BC Forest Safety Council.

Finally, 350 endangered Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs leap back into California’s wild. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Washington State announced it will conserve 77,000 acres of “legacy forests”— to the chagrin of industry and environmentalists. In other Forestry news: BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar tours Port Alberni sites; researchers track bat populations in BC cutblocks; North Cowichan council re-prioritizes harvesting in its community forest; and New Brunswick eases Crown Land restrictions. Meanwhile: record heat renews fire risk on Vancouver Island; US groups clash over spotted owl protections; and bull trout streams face logging lawsuits in Montana.

In Business news: Kimberly-Clark shifts four production lines offshore; and Trex reports Q2 sales increase; lumber futures slide after tariff-driven rally; and concerns rise over US lumber demand. Meanwhile: Novo Textile to expand its uses of BC wood pulp fibres; Arkansas’s Timber University is impacting architecture; BC introduces a new method for forest carbon accounting; EU wildfire emissions hit record levels; and wildfires updates from Nova Scotia, Oregon and California.

Finally, Jeff Keller is named Western Wood Products Association President.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Prime Minister Carney announced the removal of all tariffs on US goods covered by the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). In related news: BC is surprised by Carney’s move; the US paper industry opposes tariffs on Brazil pulp; Canfor’s Darlington, South Carolina sawmill is now closed; and a Quesnel lumber yard fire is under control. Meanwhile: CPKC says it’s not interested in more railway consolidation; Michigan’s sawmill industry is shrinking; and the slow death of a New Zealand timber town.

In Forestry news: ENGO’s block logging in BC’s Walbran Valley; BC’s heat wave shatters records; New Brunswick’s centuries-old fires come with a message; how the BC Institute of Technology can advance your lumber career; and Oregon struggles to find enough forestry workers. Meanwhile: coal-to-wood pellet conversions can help meet US energy demands; and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada’s 2025 conference and tour.

Finally, and sadly, BC forest logging and firefighting trail blazer Ralph Torney died at 82.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Trump signals furniture tariffs are coming in 50 days—referring to US Section 232 investigation on timber, lumber and wood products. In related news; BC’s forest industry fears additional forest product tariffs; and an economist says lumber tariffs undermine Canada’s capacity to invest in forest management. In other Business news: SFPA welcomes EU recognition that US poses negligible risk under EU’s Deforestation Regulation; Interfor defers its plan to spray glyphosate in Ontario; a BC MLA speaks to inaction on forestry; the labour dispute at closed Galloway, BC mill continues; Maine falls behind on the CLT front; and the US Fed signals rates cuts are coming.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: UBC’s Lori Daniels says Port Alberni fire is a harbinger of things to come on the BC coast; wildfires prompt evacuations north of Hope, BC; in Annapolis County, Nova Scotia; and central Oregon and California. Meanwhile: BC hunting lodge loses logging appeal; and Woodlots BC announced its 2025 Conference & AGM dates.

Finally, Wisconsin researchers listen to forests to learn about protecting them.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

International Paper announced that it will permanently close its containerboard and packaging facilities in Savannah and its lumber and containerboard operations in Riceboro. In other Business news: the US and EU unveiled details of their trade deal; the US Trade Commission said Chinese cabinet duties will remain in place; a US trade court dismissed JD Irving’s lumber appeal; BC First Nations explore free trade with US Nations; Ontario invests in worker training; the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says 1 in 5 companies won’t survive 6 months due to tariffs; and New Zealand and Nordic timber companies face troubled times.

In other news: the USDA invests in private forests in the US south; Missoula experts push back on USDA’s consolidation plan; BC’s caribou populations are predicted to fall due to climate change; UBC’s Gary Bull opines on forest management and biodiversity; and two letters on the future of North Cowichan’s Municipal Forest Reserve. Meanwhile, positive mass timber news from the Softwood Lumber Board, and a real estate development company (fire test).

Finally, WorkSafeBC is looking at new regulation requirements for combustible dust. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Domtar announced it will indefinitely idle its Grenada, Mississippi paper mill. In related news: International Paper sells its specialty pulp business; Lowes acquires Foundation Building Materials; Steelworker’s Brian Butler takes issue with Dallas Smith on Vancouver Island strike; and odor mitigation is underway at Domtar’s Kingsport mill. Meanwhile: lumber prices are tumbling; the largest freestanding mass-timber structure in the world nears completion; and the Paper and Packaging industry is ending its marketing check-off program. 

In Wildfire news: Canada’s Fire Chiefs call for a national fire-coordinating entity; BC insurers say rising risk is driving up premiums; BC coastal fires enter new era due to drought; BC forestry workers bear fire’s health and economic burden; and the high cost of Quebec’s record breaking 2023 fire season. South of the 49th: US Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz says US forests need less wildfire and more logging; Oregon ranchers are forced to delay wildfire projects; and internationally—Brazil suspends key rainforest protection measure. Meanwhile: the Canadian Wood Pellet Association highlight Asia’s energy transition; researchers probe black spruce growth; and the Canadian Institute of Forestry consolidates Free to Grow measures.

Finally, a new study shows how saving tigers also slashes carbon emissions.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Quebec renewed its promise to modify the forestry bill that provoked confrontations between Indigenous protesters and forestry workers. In other Business news: Northern Pulp’s proposed $104M sale raises concerns about cleanup and pensions; Canfor is fined after injury at its Northwood pulp mill; Domtar breaks ground on its Rothschild Dam modernization; and firefighters douse fire at Montana’s F.H. Stoltze mill. Meanwhile: custom home building gains share despite weak starts; and higher softwood prices may boost hardwood pallets.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: BC Minister Ravi Parmar signals a crackdown on unused fibre licences; Canada is warned about downsides to prescribed burning; the BC Is Burning documentary screens in Williams Lake and Nakusp; Manitoba experts call for stronger wildfire mitigation; a US study says industry forests are more prone to megafires; researchers highlight wildfire-char’s role in methane suppression; a poplar trait could advance biofuels; and new warnings about the health risks of wildfire smoke.

Finally, APP moves closer to regaining its FSC credentials despite pending review.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Veteran industry leader Rick Doman has been appointed chair of BC’s Forestry Innovation Investment board. In other Business news: BC’s T-MAR Industries unveils the world’s first hybrid-electric logging yarder; US housing starts climb to 5-month high; and builder confidence remains stalled at low levels. Meanwhile: George Brcko departs Wells Gray Community Forest as Casey Macaulay steps in; BC Wood highlights the upcoming Global Buyers Mission, and the Southern Forest Products Association celebrates its largest EXPO since 2000.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Canada invests $.5M in firefighter training; forecasters say fire activity will extend into the fall; Indigenous leaders stress disproportionate impacts on their communities; and wildfire updates from Vancouver Island, Nova Scotia/New Brunswick, and Spain/Portugal. Meanwhile: BC’s Forest Practices Board announces audit of licence in spotted owl habitat; debate continues on the role of active management in the US West; CAL FIRE commits $5M for workforce training, and Oregon’s timber counties face a funding cliff.

Finally, Forestnet’s Anthony Robinson launches a new podcast series.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

According to the NY Times, the US Forest Service continues to send crews into toxic smoke without respirators, leaving firefighters sickened. In related news: Canada’s wildfires are shifting east to the Prairies and Atlantic; scientists say climate predictions linking warming to more intense fires are proving true; debate arises over whether governments or individuals bear responsibility for fire prevention; and wildfire updates from Vancouver Island; Nova Scotia; Newfoundland; Arizona; and Spain.

In other news: West Fraser’s proposed cut increase in Alberta faces pushback; Dallas Smith weighs in on LKSM Forestry strike on Vancouver Island; Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest is ramping up logging; controversial timber sales begin in Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest; and Montana signs a historic forest restoration agreement. Meanwhile: Brazilian wood exports face collapse under US tariffs; Canadian housing starts rise 4% in July; lumber futures continue to drop; US consumer sentiment dropped on inflation fears; and US building material prices continue to climb.

Finally, from Tongass spruce to Steinway pianos — why the music may soon stop.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Wildfires dominate today’s news (again) — from rain-relief and firefighter-progress in British Columbia and California; to evacuations and destruction in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Southern Europe. In other headlines: single-family housing starts slump; lumber duties ratchet up pricing pressure; and BC Wood features an impressive lineup of speakers for the Global Buyers Mission.

We’re back to our regular news coverage on Monday — but please keep visiting our website for your daily in-depth coverage. It’s the best way to see all the stories and give our sponsors the visibility they deserve.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Wildfires dominate today’s headlines — from the fast-growing blaze near Port Alberni to Europe’s heatwave-fuelled infernos — while rain relief is forecast for BC and Atlantic Canada. On the trade front, Trump’s lumber tariffs spur fresh debate, with the US Coalition claiming homebuilders are ‘peddling unfounded scare tactics’, and BC mills warning of closures.

For more coverage on these stories, and the Global Buyers Mission’s tariff panel, please go directly to our website. As noted, the Tree Frog News is taking a short break this week and our coverage may be “lighter” — without the detailed Takeaway. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Trump’s trade wars have become a defining characteristic of US economic policy—shaping both the pulp & paper and solid wood industries. For more coverage on these stories, the most recent wildfire news, and Premier Eby’s GBM plans, please go directly to our website. Bookmark it and check in anytime. 

Finally, a reminder that The Tree Frog News is taking a short summer break this week. While we’ll still bring you forestry news each morning, our coverage may be “lighter” — without the detailed Takeaway. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The US Lumber Coalition says financial support pledged by Canada risks deepening the long-running trade dispute. The Quebec Forest Industry Council disagrees, saying that “even the Department of Commerce has long since ceased to consider loan guarantees as subsidies,” and Canada’s aid package also aims to boost domestic demand, thus reducing exports to the US. For more coverage on this story and others, please go directly to at website at this link: treefrogcreative.ca/news/. Bookmark it and check in anytime. 

Finally, a reminder that The Tree Frog News is taking a short summer break this week. While we’ll still bring you forestry news each morning, our coverage may be “lighter” — without the detailed Takeaway. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

US doubles countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber, bringing total duties to more than 35%. In response, BC and Ontario groups condemn the hike, the US Lumber Coalition says Canada’s support for lumber ‘knows no bounds’; and US Homebuilders fear duties could go much higher. Lots more news on our website—noteworthy headlines include:

• Canada’s 2025 wildfire season now second-worst on record
• Dry conditions taking a toll across New Brunswick
• Record temps, fires and floods roil weather across the USA
• Forest Service Faces Identity Crisis in USDA Overhaul Plan

Finally, a reminder that The Tree Frog News is taking a short summer break this week. While we’ll still bring you forestry news each day, our coverage may be “lighter” — without the detailed Takeaway. 

Don’t forget — our news stories are always available daily at this link: treefrogcreative.ca/news/. Bookmark it and check in anytime. We’ll be back to full strength next week. Thanks for reading, and we appreciate your support!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Western Forest Products, Interfor Corporation and Acadian Timber reported their Q2, 2025 financial results. In related news: US multifamily developer confidence ticks up; a fire is extinguished at Roseburg’s Medford, Oregon mill; and Kalesnikoff is recognized for role in Canada’s housing strategy. In Wood Product news: Santa Monica explores transitioning to wood construction; Seattle debates adding wood-floors to an existing structure; and Toronto’s George Town University and New York City leverage their mass timber accomplishments.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Manitoba’s premier calls out US complaints over wildfire smoke; as fires spread—Canada brings in the military; New Brunswick restricts forestry operations due to the Miramichi fire; a US agency investigates Nebraska’s wood pellet plant explosion; and Washington state communities bemoan lost federal logging revenue. Meanwhile: the latest newsletter from the Alberta Forest Products Association.

Finally, how much wood could a museum collect—more than a woodchuck could!

The Tree Frog News is taking a short summer break next week. While we’ll still bring you forestry news each day but our coverage will be “lighter” — without the detailed Takeaway. We’ll be back to full strength the following week. Thanks for reading, and we appreciate your support!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

More Republican lawmakers are demanding action from Canada as wildfire smoke continues to drift south. In related news: a Toronto columnist calls on Ottawa to ramp up its response; smoke lingers over Quebec despite a tame fire season; BC is faring well after 70,000 lightning strikes; Washington braces for an inevitable megafire; and wildfires force evacuations in Manitoba, Newfoundland, and France. In Forestry news: SFI backs American Forest Congress resolutions; Alaska operators decry lack of timber sales; and a Yale study finds trees host trillions of microbes.

In Business news: a fire damages Kalesnikoff Lumber’s Castlegar, BC mill; Weyerhaeuser celebrates 125 years in Mississippi; Riverside Forest Products plans a new sawmill in Forks, Washington; Domtar faces odour complaints in Tennessee; Cascades posts a Q2 loss, while Suzano reports gains; and concerns mount over housing supply in Canada and the US. Meanwhile: more commentary on Carney’s forestry aid package by journalist Rob Shaw, BC Forest Minister Ravi Parmar; Steelworkers’ Nicolas Lapierre; Carlton University’s Fen Osler Hampson; and forest industry experts Domenico Iannidinardo and David Elstone.

Finally, BC Wildfire Service warns of sharing AI-generated images of fires.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Prime Minister Carney announced support measures for Canada’s lumber industry, and federal investment in forestry innovation and housing—as the US ratchets up duties on softwood lumber. Welcoming the support were FPAC’s Derek Nighbor, CWC’s Rick Jeffrey, COFI’s Kim Haakstad, Steelworkers’ Jeff Bromley; Alberta’s Jason Krips, and BC’s Kurt Niquidet. Select interviews/news commentary includes:  

• Castanet: Nick Arkle and Doug Tracey of the Gorman Group
• CBC News: Brian Menzies of the Independent Wood Processors Association
• Prince George Citizen: John Brink of Brink Forest Products

In related news: Carney hints at dropping some Canadian tariffs; US ambassador to Canada says trade talks will take a while; US homebuilders warn of higher costs; and Canada’s trade deficit widens as exports to the US decline. Meanwhile: Boise Cascade reports Q2 income of $64 million. In Forestry/Wildfire news: Minnesota is cleared by federal logging audit; researchers test climate adaptation strategies in Michigan; SFI launches forest literacy programs across North America; wildfires force Newfoundland towns to evacuate; fires spread across BC’s West Kootenay and Vancouver Island; California’s Gifford Fire tops 83,000 acres; and Arizona’s fire season drags.

Finally, engineers trim time and risk with prefabricated mass timber decking in Quebec.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Toronto ranks among the worst for air quality as wildfire smoke blankets Eastern Canada and the US Midwest. In related news: a report on the climate-fire feedback loop; a call for a global response; and wildfire updates from Vancouver Island, the Yukon, and Newfoundland. In Forestry news: FSC Canada launches consultations on intact forests; BC’s Community Forests defend their model; the US may limit public input on federal land use; and a a call for more community forests in Scotland.

In Business news: The US Forest Service is investing in wood innovation; US Senators introduce a Forest Bioeconomy Act; the Trump Administration posts guidance on its tariff rollout; a BC Minister urges Ottawa to negotiate hard; Quebec’s Scierie St-Michel lumber mill suspends operations; Maine’s forest sector feels the tariff pain; Brazil wood exporters rush to beat the US deadline; and lumber futures hit a 3-year high. Meanwhile: a fire at Domtar’s Plymouth facility is extinguished; and Chartwell Resource Group and DWB Consulting are merging.

Finally, see inside the ruins of Oregon’s timber past at Vernonia’s ghost mill.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

Today (Monaday) is a public holiday in Canada. The Tree Frog News team will be baking on Tuesday with your full dose of forestry news and insight.

Kelly, Sandy, Heidi and Suzi

________________________________________________________________

President Trump escalated his trade war with Canada, upping tariffs on imports not covered by the USMCA free trade agreement. In related news: Prime Minister Carney expressed disappointment, US markets tumbled; Canadian premiers want lumber on the table; Russ Taylor and David Elstone set the record straight (again); Brian Menzies says tariffs are a ‘lose-lose’ game; and a US appeals court questions Trump’s legal basis. Meanwhile: RYAM explores aviation fuels; and Canfor, Mercer and International Paper report their Q2 earnings.

In Forestry news: Alberta’s Jason Krips says we need to rethink forest management in our national parks; Western Forest Products and ‘Namgis First Nation have a forest landscape plan; and the Wood Pellet Association of Canada has a new Associate Executive Director. South of the 49th, the USDA invests $106M in working forests; Alaska timber companies are hit by China’s log import ban; ENGOs sue to stop logging in Montana; and Portland’s Forest Museum gets a tourism boost. In Safety news: the Nebraska wood pellet plant fire was a dust explosion.

Finally, WFCA’s John Betts sees a cascading concatenation of consequences creating a congeries of collapsed trees. …Ok.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The United States (@4.5%) and Canada (@2.75%) hold their benchmark interest rates steady. On the Canada-US trade front: Carney says Aug 1 deadline may not be met; Premier Eby wants to keep lumber on the table; and Ontario’s Kevin Holland and Guy Bourgouin bemoan the US antidumping rate hike. Meanwhile, Vaughn Palmer says BC NDP brush off industry solutions; Campbell River’s Mayor calls for permit action; BPWood expands its supplier network; MNP helps with BC’s Motor Fuel Tax; Boise Cascade faces strike in Billings, Montana; Clearwater Paper and Smurfit WestRock report Q2 earnings; and Georgia-Pacific’s CEO is retiring.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Canada’s Annual Report on the State of its Forests begets ENGO pushback; logging in California said to benefit water and species; Oregon’s wildfire bill cut landowner costs; Washington ENGO’s say collaboration gives way to timber interests; and wildfires, smoke and evacuations dominate the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, and tragically, the Nebraska wood pellet explosion resulted in 3 deaths.

Finally, a UK study says global wood harvest is sufficient for climate-friendly timber cities.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The US Lumber Coalition is ‘astounded’ by Canada’s response to duty hike, says statements are biased, demonstrate misunderstanding of US trade laws. In related news: the new duties are officially published; BC faces cascading risks, as small sawmills brace for bigger hit; and an analyst comments on why the US still needs Canadian imports. Meanwhile: Railroaders Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are merging; Cascades invests in its Quebec tissue plant; an explosion at a Nebraska wood pellet plant; and Clemson University has a new director of Wood Utilization & Design.

In Forestry/Climate news: the US plans to revoke underpinning claim that GHGs pose a threat to public health; the US timber industry and forest carbon credits can coexist; a study says Ontario’s forest management is falling short; bobcats make a comeback in Ohio; and the EU deforestation law may boost Russian timber. Meanwhile: Arizona, Oregon and BC wildfires beget alerts; while Whistler’s fire danger is forecast to hit extreme.

Finally, a new BC Wildfire Service video on factors that influence fire behaviour.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Former prime minister Stephen Harper says Canada needs to diversify trade, as backlash to the US decision to hike duties on Canadian softwood continues:

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The US Department of Commerce decision to raise duties on Canadian Softwood lumber is widely condemned:

• BC Minister Ravi Parmar: Duties will hurt both sides of the border
• Gov’t of Ontario: Duties put our shared competitiveness at risk
• Council of Forest Industries: Calls for a resolution to the softwood dispute
• The BC Lumber Trade Council: Disappointed in ongoing US protectionism
• BC Independent Wood Manufacturers: Retroactivity of duties will force small producers to close

Meanwhile: the US lumber Coalition applauds the duty announcement; the Wall Street Journal points to Trump’s timber revival goal; while Russ Taylor and David Elstone say Canadian lumber is not a threat to the US lumber sector’s businesses’ success. In other Business news: Kruger is negotiating support for its Corner Brook revitalization plan; and the US and EU strike a new trade deal imposing a 15% tariff on most European goods.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Unifor calls for a coordinated strategy to support Canada’s forest sector; MLA Ward Stammer questions BC’s harvest targets; and an interview with UBC wildfire expert Lori Daniels. Meanwhile: wildfire goats take to the hills in Reno, drones drop fire-starting ping pong balls in California, Washington’s funding cut stokes wildfire concern; and fires continue to rage in Greece and Turkey.

Finally: Doug “The Duke” Dyson—is remembered as a larger-than-life BC logger.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

As deadly wildfires claim lives in Turkey and force emergency rescues in Greece, experts call for greater forest management to reduce fire risks in BC and California. In related news: Newfoundland’s wildfire threat eases; wildfires are hampering forest carbon sequestration; a new US documentary and BC ENGO report call for changes to Canada’s forestry practices; a US bill proposes new forestry career training; and a UN court ruling on climate change opens the door to legal action.

In Business new: West Fraser reports Q2, 2025 loss amid slowing demand; UPM sees Q2 earnings fall; DR Horton downplays the impact of rising duties; and lumber prices remain flat, while lumber futures rise. Meanwhile: the US Lumber Coalition pans Canada for use of ‘scare tactics’; and a trade panel remands elements of the US Commerce Department’s methodology.

Finally, mass timber’s antimicrobial potential; and Woodrise 2025 opens registration in Vancouver.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canfor is expanding its lumber footprint in Sweden, via its subsidiary, Vida AB. In other Business news: First Nations in Quebec walk away from forestry bill talks; Washington’s dormant Cosmopolis pulp mill is fined for leaks; Texas timber markets remain steady; the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says Trump’s tariffs will add $14,000 to the cost of a US home; and Stora Enso beats Q2, 2025 earnings forecasts.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: BC transfers 700 hectares to the Snuneymuxw First Nation; a BC wildfire contractor is granted an appeal extension on a wildfire penalty; and B.A. Blackwell renews its Stanley Park tree-removal contract. South of the 49th: the US administration fast-tracks the repeal of roadless-area logging bans; a Montana logging project proceeds despite environmental concerns; Wisconsin’s governor wants to reverse forestry-related staff cuts; and lightning is identified as a major driver of tree mortality. Meanwhile: two wildfires are out of control on Vancouver Island; and Forestry England’s approach to forest resilience.

Finally, a look at megafires as an Oregon wildfire approaches the 100,000-acre mark.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canada–US trade tensions dominate talks as Prime Minister Carney briefs Canada’s premiers, and meets with four US senators. In other Business news: Domtar’s Skookumchuck mill faces effluent penalties; Maine’s Hammond Lumber buys its competitor; CWC applauds Nova Scotia’s wood use initiative; and Wales launches its first timber strategy. Meanwhile: a Fraser Institute report on Canada’s housing crisis; the US economy signals recession risk; WoodWorks BC and FSC Canada are hiring; and kind remembrances for longtime employees at Gorman Bros (Ray Van Ingen) and SFPA (Lionel Landry).

In Forestry/Climate news: Ottawa pledges $125 million to regrow Alberta forests; an interview with Kim Haakstad and Jess Ketchum on BC forestry; the US plan to shoot barred owls could be in jeopardy; red tree vole protections are sought in Oregon; a NY Times report says climate change makes fires worse; the US Forest Service faces a firefighter shortage; Trump’s new law is called bad for US emissions; and two stories on wildfire risk-reduction and US timber harvests. Meanwhile, wildfire conditions improve in northern BC; and a fire evacuation alert in Slave Lake, Alberta.

Finally, BC Wood will celebrate 22 years of excellence at the 2025 Global Buyers Mission.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Wildfire lessons from Jasper, Alberta suggest forest management helped save the town. But as Parks Canada offers tours ahead of the fire’s anniversary, Alberta’s Premier is demanding an apology over a critical report. In related news: Canada launches a wildfire resilience hub; Ontario scientists probe northern fire trends; BC is Burning aims to ignite change in forest policy; Oregon’s Skyline Forest tests new burning technology; evacuations are ordered in Musgrave Harbour, Newfoundland; Grand Canyon’s North Rim fire was unstoppable; and Oregon’s largest fire nears megafire status. Meanwhile: Vancouver’s Stanley Park weighs more looper moth tree removals; BC ENGOs push for access to private forests; and Colorado’s old-growth ponderosa pines are protected.

In Business news: Bloomberg and the National Post offer softwood lumber explainers, as Canada’s premiers meet to talk trade; US Secretary Lutnick says tariffs are coming; and Daniel Dorman says Trump’s tariffs will enable China’s rise. Meanwhile: why Nova Scotia missed out on a new pulp mill; slower growth is projected for US remodelling; and US Consumer sentiment is unchanged in July.

Finally, mass timber news via Vancouver’s PNE Amphitheatre, and Saanich’s Fire Station #2.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

WorkSafeBC surplus spurs debate over possible breaks in forestry premiums. In other Business news: New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar are open to lumber quotas to end the US trade fight; the US investigates Brazil’s forestry practices; AF&PA warns that EU rules risk $3.5B in exports; and the USDA commits $80M to expand timber markets. Meanwhile: Nova Scotia promises more wood heat and buildings following Northern Pulp’s asset sale; BC Premier Eby shuffles his cabinet; Cascades invests in its Quebec tissue plant; and US single-family housing starts fall while multifamily climbs.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: wilderness groups call for reform on private forest land; Canada partners with Trees for Life on urban planting; Woodlots BC seeks new board members; longleaf pine seed prospects are poor in the US Southeast; the Grand Canyon’s North Rim fire sparks debate on forest health; Sooke, BC’s fire danger rating hits extreme; Mount Hood hikers are ordered to evacuate; and the University of Oregon’s mass timber innovation project earns national recognition.

Finally, the Globe & Mail Editorial Board say it’s time to fight fire with fire in Canada.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Lumber quotas could be part of a Canada–US trade deal, said Prime Minister Carney. In response, the US Lumber Coalition panned the idea, while a Canadian litigator thinks the idea is unwise. In other Business news: Nova Scotia promotes more wood use in construction; Kalesnikoff’s Andrew Stiffman talks mass timber; Drax is called a top UK polluter; US industries brace for Trump’s tariffs; and US homebuilder confidence edges up.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: UBC researchers link clear-cutting to a rise in flooding; logging in Ontario’s boreal forest is called unsustainable; Northern Pulp’s asset sale raises questions about who pays for the cleanup; Oregon declares a state of emergency due to wildfire threat; California debuts a burn severity mapping tool; and Trump’s 20-year logging contracts could tie up the land. Meanwhile: dogs sniff out lanternfly eggs, wasps battle emerald ash borers, and golden oyster mushrooms spread unchecked across eastern forests.

Finally, a new study says mass timber could spur intensive forest management and reduce GHGs.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canada is open to considering limits on softwood lumber exports to the US to ease trade friction, says BC Premier David Eby. In other Business news: Georgia-Pacific is upgrading its Englehart, Ontario OSB mill; Ontario fines AV Terrace Bay pulp mill for air emissions breach; and more on Northern Pulp’s decision to sell its Nova Scotia mill assets. Meanwhile: US inflation picks up as tariffs take hold; lumber futures rise past $650; and Canadian housing starts surprise with June jump. 

In Forestry/Wildfire news: experts warn of another fish die-off in BC’s Cowichan River; a campfire ban is announced for coastal BC; Oregon invokes Conflagration Act to help with wildfires; and Trump’s bill may worsen US wildfire risks. Meanwhile: New Brunswick polluters fall short of emissions goals; Kaitlin Lovell will lead Oregon’s state lands agency; a New York collage invests in Northern Forest resilience; and Russia’s timber sector struggles under sanctions.

Finally, the industry-leading 2025 Global Buyers Mission is coming—and booth space is filling up fast!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Northern Pulp announced it will sell it assets after failing to secure new mill funding—Nova Scotia minister says province will continue to pursue a new mill. In other Business news: Amix Marine moves to Port Alberni, BC; two Idaho forestry businesses are devastated by wildfire; and Drax has a new VP of Corporate Affairs. Meanwhile: Trump strikes a trade deal with Indonesia; the EU threatens counter-tariffs; Earthsight exposes illegal Russian wood; and Canada’s inflation nudges up to 1.9%.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: air quality concerns linger as new wildfires are confirmed, and smoke blankets central Canada; Australian crews deploy to help fight Canadian fires; BC Forest Practices Board audits BCTS operations near Merritt; the Tłı̨chǫ Nation launches a reforestation plan; and Eastern Oregon’s old-growth trees are in decline. Meanwhile: leaders in BC’s North Cowichan, South Dakota’s Black Hills, and Oregon call for forest policy support.

Finally, and sadly, logger Ron Hollingsworth, died in a workplace accident on BC’s Sunshine Coast.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

The historic Grand Canyon Lodge was destroyed by wildfire in Arizona. In related news: smoke from Canadian fires hits Ontario and the US Midwest; one-third of northeast BC could burn this year; Oregon firefighters have restrained early-season fires; the USDA issues Code Red Extreme Forest Fire Risk; and both US and Canadian groups are accused of spreading wildfire misinformation. In Forestry news: BC releases new measures to support caribou recovery; and more perspectives on the impact of the US Roadless Rule change.

In Business news: New Brunswick Power’s plan to burn wood pellets is under fire; the clean-up required at shuttered Port Alice pulp mill; Louisiana Pacific extinguishes fire at Thomasville, Alabama mill; and a US fund that supports wood innovation is on the chopping block. Meanwhile: UBC Forestry is recruiting for a research chair in Natural Resource Governance; and FSC Canada seeks two senior managers.

Finally, David Suzuki hasn’t given up the climate fight, he’s just changing his battle plan.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canada and US ramp up negotiations ahead of Trump’s August 1 tariff deadline. In related news: a trade deal seems unlikely, as Trump threatens higher tariffs, and Carney seeks to avoid conflict. In other Business news: Kruger expands its Memphis tissue facility; Goodfellow reports stable Q2 sales; the US Lumber Coalition calls for an end to expedited duty reviews, Vancouver’s container port expansion goes out for bid; Canada’s job surge cools talk of a rate cut; US remodeler sentiment dips; and Toronto’s Hälsa project showcases mass timber innovation.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: BC First Nations protest timber sales on unceded territory; Manitoba renews its state of wildfire emergency as wildfires rage and air quality deteriorates; Senator Lee applauds US repeal of the Roadless Rule, as fire-focused budget cuts dominate US Forest Service hearings; a look at a Louisiana wildfire two years post-fire; and Estonia looks to employ more controlled burns.

Finally, FPAC names its 2025 Green Dream Interns; and Oregon’s legendary smokejumper base museum.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Six Republican lawmakers asked Ottawa to curb wildfire smoke impacting their states, claim Canada’s lack of ‘active forest management’ is to blame. In related news: Canadian experts push back on US claims; BC Wildfire crews are assisting with the Hope Fire in Washington, the Yukon looks to bioenergy to reduce fire risk; and the fire emergency in Marseille, France is under control. In other Forestry news: Parks Canada and BC invest in ecological connectivity; and Hydro-Quebec uses AI to reduce power outages caused by trees.

In Business news: US homebuilders say the housing crisis trumps imported lumber as a national security risk; CNN says tariffs are finally starting to impact prices; UK softwood traders report strong Q2 demand; and investments in European forests are on the rise. Meanwhile; COFI’s Kim Haakstad is named to BC influential leaders list; Ontario announced funding for five biomass projects; and Oregon and Idaho timber sales are on the rise.

Finally, a new study confirms FSC certification contributes to increased forest cover.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Cascades will permanently close its Niagara Falls, New York, corrugated medium facility, affecting 123 workers. In related news: Newfoundland’s Corner Brook pulp mill faces contamination claim; the US Hardwood Forestry Fund winds down after 35 years; and the US moves forward on trade cases targeting hardwood plywood from China et al. Meanwhile, Trump has pushed his tariff deadline to August 1; the Bank of America warns tariffs could raise US homebuilding costs; Oregon researchers say wood outperforms plastic in healthcare settings; and Ireland launches a new timber construction R&D strategy.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: BC’s fire season is quieter than past years but risks persist; BC Timber Sales proposes logging and fire mitigation near Nelson; Montana advances a forest conservation deal with Green Diamond; New Zealand supports Manitoba’s wildfire efforts; Spain reports progress on the Paüls wildfire, and France battles a fire near Marseille. Meanwhile: Canada’s wood pellet industry conference touts biomass for a low-carbon future; while David Suzuki says the fight against climate change is lost.

Finally, could support-exoskeletons reduce forestry’s injury rate? Texas researchers say yes.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

2025 is a ‘supply-side story’, says ERA’s Kevin Mason—as weak demand plagues all forest product segments. In related news: Russ Taylor highlights the looming 34.5% US duties on Canadian lumber; Metsä warns of a weak Q2 amid poor pulp demand; US homebuilders continue to consolidate; Fannie Mae sees housing sentiment slip; and 18 buyers have eyed Pixelle’s shuttered Ohio mill. Meanwhile: Ontario invests in forest biomass, Oregon researchers show that wood resists microbes better than plastic; and Wisconsin pulp mills are encouraging women to the workforce.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: BC’s wildfires fuel debate over thinning vs clearcutting, as new guides on hazard assessment and abatement are released; Ontario’s largest fire is now being held; the massive post-fire tree-clearing effort in Jasper; and Washington protects cool water in forest streams. Meanwhile: wildfire smoke brings a forgotten danger to the arctic; and solving one of forestry’s safety challenges—phase congestion.

Finally, a PBS video explores stone tree trunks in Canada’s arctic.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Wildfires are on the move again in Canada, the United States and Europe. In related news: Ontario wildfire crews sound the alarm over fatigue and funding. In Forestry news: Colorado fights a beetle outbreak with synthetic pheromones; BC groups pan logging in caribou habitat; Finland unveils new carbon sink measures; Australia releases a national Timber Fibre Strategy; and the Maine Forest Products Council slams media for misrepresenting biomass. 

In Business news: Sumitomo announces its first US timber industrial complex; Trump extends the tariff deadline to August 1; homebuilders brace for construction cost spike; and 2024 US multifamily completions hit a 38-year high.

Finally, BCIT is looking for Natural Resource instructors; the CIF’s 2025 conference registration is open; and BCCFA launched a new wildfire outreach tool.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

BC Forests Minister Ravi Parmar salutes forestry crews “grinding it out every day” following his tour of Wahkash Contracting and Mosaic’s TFL 47, while Peter Lister returns to his roots to lead the BC Truck Loggers Association. In other Business news: fire destroys Nova Scotia’s L.E. Elliott Lumber mill; L.A.’s Angel City Lumber gives street trees new life; Oregon approves $1M for the World Forestry Center; and Finland’s Metsä readies its Kemi mills after major repairs.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: in Canada—wildfires now emit more GHGs than all other sources combined; Canada and Yukon invest $17M to reduce wildfire risk; a poor choice of protective gear put Halifax firefighters at greater risk; and climate change is increasingly blamed for making fires worse. Meanwhile: Trump’s tax-and-spending bill passes Congress—slashing programs and timber funding in Oregon—while New Zealand warns of US tariffs as the Section 232 deadline approaches. 

Finally, to our US readers—wishing you Safe and Happy Independence Day.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

With Trump’s 90-day tariff pause set to expire July 9, the US Lumber Coalition renews its attack on Canadian lumber. In other Business news: Tolko and Meadow Lake Tribal Council sign an MOU; BC builders welcome development cost changes; South Carolina turns to biomass to revive its forest economy; and Sweden’s VIDA names Måns Johansson as Vice Chair. Meanwhile: the USDA boosts mass timber capacity; North Carolina researchers develop Styrofoam packaging alternatives; Cincinnati unveils the first mass timber broadcast facility; and Finland’s Spinnova uses spiderweb science to turn wood pulp into textiles.

In Forestry news: FSC supports the EU’s anti-greenwashing directive; FSC Canada releases its annual report; SFI backs the G7 Wildfire Charter; Canada’s signature waterbomber gets a upgrade; BC faces tree canopy shortages; and Michigan trials assisted tree migration. In Wildfire news: the fire near Lytton, BC is being held, but a new fire grows to the north; and crews respond to an “out of control” blaze on Vancouver Island.

Finally, the EU will allow international carbon credits in its binding GHG emissions target.

Kelly McCloskey, Editor

A fire at Western Forest Products’ Columbia Vista mill in Washington rendered it inoperable. In other Company news: International Paper plans major facility closures and exits the moulded fibre market; Domtar finalizes Powell River land sale, and advances its anaerobic digester in Tennessee; and Woodgrain is closing its Pilot Rock mill in Oregon. Meanwhile: Brink Forest Products is fined for a worker injury; BC community leaders strategize over Western’s Chemainus mill curtailment; and more accolades for Kalesnikoff”s new mass timber facility in BC.

In Forestry news: BC Timber Sales faces opposition over Walker Creek cutblocks; High Bar First Nation and West Fraser ink a Development Agreement; and the Forest Practices Board launches a biodiversity audit near Terrace, BC. South of the border, the US public lands sell-off is dropped from policy bill; the USDA and Montana sign a wildfire mitigation pact, and debate continues over the rollback of roadless protections in California, Tennessee and Oregon. In Wildfire news: a fire near Lytton, BC prompts local state of emergency; and thousands flee fires in Turkey amid Europe’s heatwave.

Finally, APA’s 2024 Safety Awards and the Canadian Wood Council’s 2024 Annual Report. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Canfor announced the closure of its Darlington and Estill sawmills in South Carolina. In other Business news: Indiana highlights its $10B hardwood industry; Harvard reports worsening US housing affordability; the Western Governors release a new housing plan; and Europe’s timber industry undergoes a consolidation wave. On the Wood Promotion front: Ontario launches an advanced wood construction plan; BC’s Forestry Innovation Investment shares its 2024/25 year in review; and the Softwood Lumber Board June program highlights.

In Forestry/Climate news: four US senators push back on the Forest Service reorganization; more debate over the benefits and risks with Trump’s roadless rule rollback; Montana advances the Bonanza timber project; debates continue over carbon capture’s role in climate policy; a California nonprofit pivots from pellets to wood chips; the Squamish Nation and BC strengthen forest stewardship; and Mosaic hears from 7,600 respondents on outdoor access. 

Finally, with summer here, so is the wildfire season—here’s the latest from FESBC.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Experts agree that the G7’s Wildfire Charter is positive but needs to shift from response to prevention. In related news: Tom Fletcher speaks to fighting fires in a fog of misinformation; Statistics Canada assesses GPD impact of 2023 fires; Ontario improves working conditions for firefighters; Oregon passes bill to repeal Wildfire Hazard Map; and American Scientists give mixed review of US wildfire orders. Meanwhile, Senator Mike Lee vows to resurrect US public lands sale; ENGOs say logging continues in BC’s caribou habitat; and the WWF asks business to help reverse forest loss. 

In Business news: Domtar reaches settlement agreement with Michigan over waste materials; a California nonprofit scales back wood pellet mill plans; the US investigates hardwood plywood trade; and Mackenzie, BC rebounds after mill closures. Meanwhile: the US economy shrank more than expected in Q1, 2025; Deloitte says a mild recession is likely in Canada; the latest newsletter from Woodlots BC; and Canadian retail lumberman Michael Westrum dies at 79.

Finally, researchers explore use of tree bark waste to reduce radar detection. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

Oregon-based Hampton Lumber bucks South Carolina’s mill closure trend with new sawmill announcement. In related news: SmartLam’s Alabama expansion is paying dividends; US homebuilders wonder if lumber self-reliance is possible; Southern Pine exports are up; and US consumer confidence is down again. Meanwhile: the BC lawsuit over RCMP actions at Fairy Creek is dismissed;  BC First Nations want to expand their forest economy; and the Softwood Lumber Board reports Q1, 2025 lumber demand generated.

In Forestry news: Trump’s Roadless Rule change garners support while raising concerns; the US plan to sell public land hits Senate roadblock; and Vietnam aims to up its FSC and PEFC certification. Meanwhile, new studies on climate mitigation via burying forest waste; natural-regeneration and carbon-credit schemes. 

Finally, the BC is Burning documentary premiers in Vernon tomorrow!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor