Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

More than 500 forest industry leaders have gathered in Prince George for COFI’s annual conference to talk turkey and tariffs (and supply shortages, and pest threats and labour force turnover…). In related news: the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is hailed by the Business Council of BC, COFI and others; and FEA Canada (Wood Markets) released its annual survey of the “top 20” Canadian and US lumber producers.

In Forestry news: The BC Forest Practices Board is on the lookout for a new chair; Tolko is retooling for burnt timber; Cowichan Valley is reducing the danger of fires in “interface areas”; and Iceland is reforesting lands cleared by the Vikings a millennia ago. 

In Wood news; an engineer explains how tall wood can meet Ontario’s Building Code; mass timber is celebrated in Montreal; Toronto; and Sudbury; while the US concrete industry says this type of construction is “fueling fires nationwide“.

Finally, a back-to-the-future moment as paper straws are reintroduced as the solution to plastic straws in our landfills; and cell towers are disguised as… pine trees!

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Despite lumber tariffs, forest companies in Western Canada are booming according to The Motley Fool. Strengthening demand from China, a recovering US housing market and improving efficiencies are behind soaring stock prices for Canfor, West Fraser and Interfor. Meanwhile, the union that represents forest sector workers across Canada is crafting an agreement with Resolute Forest Products that Unifor rep Stephen Boon says will form a template for the rest of the country and “reflect workers’ priorities”. 

In Wood news, insurers are being advised to “take a second look” when writing risks for tall wood structures; and manufacturers of MDF and hardwood plywood face new formaldehyde standards – the president of the Composite Panel Association explains. 

Community forests are in the news:

• Haida Gwaii Community Forest –  locals expectations differ from what government is suggesting;
• Logan Lake Community Forest turned a profit this year and they were “happy to give it back to the District of Logan Lake”;
• Valemount Community Forest is restructuring, transferring assets to a new Limited Partnership.

The Council of Forest Industries opens their annual convention today in Prince George. We wish COFI and conference delegates a successful event.

–Sandy McKellar, Tree Frog Editor

Although high lumber demand and prices have “turned down the volume on the softwood dispute“, it exposes the US industry claim of injury as “preposterous”, according to Susan Yurkovich of the BC Lumber Trade Council. In related news: The high cost of low-grade lumber is creating havoc for pallet manufacturers; and a western publisher speaks to the “weak argument for newsprint tariffs“.

In Health & Safety news: how Canada’s national public alert system will work for wildfire and biological threats; how noisy forestry jobs impact hearing loss in the US; and how forest safety certification is working in New Zealand. 

Finally: Arbor Day celebrations (America’s oldest environmental holiday) are announced; Project Learning Tree is creating green jobs in Canada; and a new App for invasive species is tested in Illinois.

If you were off searching for eggs yesterday, you may also want to check out yesterday’s full-house of news.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Forestry commentators and critics dominate the Easter weekend headlines. In Mongabay, an article on the effectiveness (or not) of advocacy campaigns on forest conservation (with a focus on the Great Bear Rainforest). Elsewhere: It’s time to press BC’s NDP/Green government to take our forests back; Community-run forests could reverse depressing news about Nova Scotia’s forests; and NY State logging results in damaged roads, concerned residents.

On a more positive note: White pine blister rust-resistant trees are making headway in Idaho; Climate trends and forest impacts are being tracked in Nova Scotia; researchers in Minnesota are trying to replace coal with torrefied biomass; and a “wildfire whodunit that will make your head spin“.

In Business news: more push back from small US publishers on newsprint tariffs; an Ontario wood pellet mill is expanding; and Westervelt plans to build a new lumber mill in Tuscaloosa.

Finally, Canfor gets high praise for its efforts to improve air quality in Prince George, BC.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

A US media alliance formed to fight tariffs on Canadian newsprint is making progress in raising awareness of the risks to publishers—with the help of Superman. Related stories appeared in Florida and Michigan. In other Trade news: Canada’s ambassador to the US is promoting trade in Virginia; the US trade representative has little faith that softwood lumber will be resolved soon; and Jack Mintz opines about today’s “dumbed-down” trade deals.

In Forestry news: West Fraser gets high marks on its TFL 52 audit; Newfoundland is increasing its harvest levels; and NRCan is exploring the use of wood has as a forest fertilizer. On the campaigner front: the Sierra Club says BC’s rainforests are as rare as white rhinos; and Biofuelwatch says the use of biotechnology in forests is another ill-conceived human intervention likely to add to our crises. 

Finally, a gaggle of stories in support of wood, wood pellets, mass timber and climate change, including Christ’s “crown of thorns” tree.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

BC’s Southern Caribou herd continues to decline in numbers; herbicides are being blamed for Moose deaths in the Prince George area; logging threatens a Tennessee trout stream; and the southern pine beetle is expanding its range northward towards Albany New York. In other news: New York’s Governor want to provide tax incentives to keep trees standing; and a comparison of the Finnish and Swedish forestry machine market.

Companies in the news include:

• Tolko reopens shuttered OSB plant (after 8 years) in High Prairie
• DLA Piper named one of BC’s Top Employers (again)
• Fortress adds 5th digester, pulp production ramps up
• EACOM supports families of workforce injuries

Finally, a Maine company has found a new way to combine two of the Frog’s passions – forest products and craft beer, in the form of beer coasters!

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Greenpeace International is withdrawing from the Forest Stewardship Council saying it is “failing to protect natural forests from exploitation“, however each national branch will make their own decisions about continuing with FSC. In other news: the Nova Scotia forestry review isn’t broad enough for some; Minnesota’s logging industry is in limbo due to energy plant closures; and South Dakota appears to have turned the corner on its pine beetle epidemic.

In Business news: BC firms revolt over government plans to shift medical costs to them; the US News Media Alliance says Canadian newsprint is not the enemy – tariffs are; and the Bangor Daily News says Governor LePage “may have opened up a Pandora’s box”. Companies in the news include:

• Provincial tax relief helped Tolko re-open its High Prairie mill
• Rail car shortages have created a backlog at Canfor and other BC mills
• Settlement in a US paper tariff may see duties refunded to Irving et al
• A lumber and chip truck collision results in a fatality near Dunkley mill
• Backcountry access through Island Timberlands‘ lands is multi-faceted

Finally, Al Thorlakson is recognized for his business leadership, and a smoking elephant seeks charcoal for its toxin-binding and laxative properties. 

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

To highlight climate change, in countries around the world, people were switching off their lights for Earth Hour, except perhaps in BC where an uptick in power usage was reported. In related news: a study suggests half of Alberta’s boreal forest could disappear due to wildfires and climate change; while an EU report points to how the forest sector helps address climate change. 

In Wood product news: Portland is considering CLT for its airport expansion; while the CLT panel failure at Oregon State University spurs critics of mass timber. Elsewhere, recycled cardboard pallets are introduced in Germany; and the challenge of implementing a Wood First policy is discussed in New Zealand.

Finally, BC Minister Donaldson says the level of raw log exports is not acceptable; Alberta’s caribou recovery plan won’t occur without federal funds; Maine’s Governor is to be investigated over a possible timber diversion, and the US Federal spending bill is described as a “shift in the right direction” for wildfire funding.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Although the US-China trade war has the Globe and Mail’s Barrie McKenna seeing good and bad; global trade of softwood lumber is reported at an all-time-high; and US consumption is forecast to reach record-highs by 2030. Interestingly, non-residential construction is forecast to grow at the fastest rate; Ontario’s tall wood bill is back on the table; and Portland is considering CLT for its International Airport expansion.

The US Congress passed a Bill that includes a major overhaul for wildfire funding. The massive spending Bill also revives funding for rural communities whose economies relied on federal timber harvesting; and upholds protections for the Tongass National Forest.

Finally: the neutrality of wood pellets; the carbon benefits of forest management; the impact of climate change on forests; the carbon footprint of paper; and how many trees does it take to cool the planet?

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The way firefighting is funded in the US will change dramatically following the introduction of “must-pass” legislation—a $1.3 trillion federal spending plan—which includes funding wildfires similarly to other natural disasters.

In other Forestry news:

• Ken Wu is in New Zealand warning about old-growth cedar imports
• The USFS Chief launches review of sexual misconduct in the agency
• An Alberta caribou specialist says protecting caribou doesn’t jeopardize jobs

In Business news: US lumber tariffs remain controversial in Maine; state newspaper organizations gathered in Florida to discuss newsprint tariffs; and the Swanson Group petitions for relief caused by Canadian lumber imports. On mass timber: more on BC and Washington State’s respective code leadership efforts; the CLT failure in Oregon; and an op-ed noting that CLT-wood “is only as good as the forest from which it came“.

Finally, emergency alerts will be mandatory on Canadian cell phones and it turns out elephant dung is an excellent source of cellulose for paper manufacturing.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Around the world, we’re celebrating International Day of Forests, and here at Tree Frog headquarters in BC, it’s the first day of Spring! So, wherever you are, take time today to recognize a tree, or plant one, or photograph one! Despite Statistics Canada’s claim that the forest sector’s contribution to the economy has declined, professor Tom Beckley at the University of New Brunswick says, “forestry is still relatively healthy“. 

In Business news: a family-owned sawmill in South Carolina is expanding, Charles Ingram Lumber is creating new jobs and new product lines; US newspapers paying higher taxes thanks to tariffs on Canadian pulp are “baffled” saying, “the Canadian government appears to care more about our jobs than our own US government“; and in Maine, tariffs have US Gov. Paul LePage fired-up, where he has been accused of diverting state-owned logs away from companies critical of his position. 

Finally, while the mass timber masterminds are meeting in Portland, a story today in the Corvallis Gazette-Times reports a CLT failure at Oregon State University where a section of CLT subflooring delaminated and “came crashing down”. We’ll keep you posted.

–Sandy McKellar, Tree Frog Editor

On the heels of legislation requiring building codes to accept mass timber, Washington State is pursuing a Bill requiring all public buildings 12-storeys or less to use CLT. In related news: Oregon’s International Mass Timber Conference kicks off in Portland; Think Wood speaks to the research behind the innovation; but Oregonwild protests – calling it “greenwashing clearcut logging“.

Companies in the news include: West Fraser’s stock surges 56% [G&M subscribers only]; Tolko’s Lakeview sawmill will take longer to resurrect; Tolko plans to build an energy plant in Alberta; and Fortress moves up the value chain with xylitol (a sweetener used in gum). Elsewhere, AF&PA speaks in favour of NAFTA.

In Forestry news: Alberta suspends its caribou conservation plan due to costs; a new pheromone discovery may predict mountain pine outbreaks; the Australian forestry wars are back; and Asia Pulp & Paper is now growing… mangos!

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Canada has requested a meeting of the WTO’s dispute settlement body on March 27 to judge its dispute with the United States over Canadian lumber exports. Companies in the news include: Domtar (concerns about a former creosote plant in Edmonton); and Sino Forest (found guilty of fraud in Ontario Superior Court).

In Forestry news: Minister McKenna announces $1.3 billion to protect natural places and wildlife in Canada; BC is protecting more coastal habitat for the marbled murrelet and northern goshawk; the fir bark beetle is wrecking havoc in central BC; and Scotland disputes stories that its Sitka Spruce are at risk from “sudden oak death“.

In Wood product news: Washington State overcomes a major construction hurdle with mass timber by directing its Building Code Council to allow for it; and Austrian furniture giant Egger Wood Products is planing it first North American facility in North Carolina. 

Finally, shoes made from wood pulp are taking off in Georgia and Greenpeace takes on PepsiCo and Johnson & Johnson for refusing to reveal their palm oil sources.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Trade dominates the airwaves again. Notable headlines include:

• Trump gets four Pinocchios on trade deficit with Canada (Washington Post)
• Canada’s dependency on the US looks like a liability (National Post
• Duties are a critical cost challenge for Catalyst (Vancouver Sun)
• Gov. Lepage challenged on why logs went to Canadian company (Maine Free Press)

In Business news: Norbord suspends OSB mill in BC due to a lack of wood; BC economist Finlayson says economic outlook stable but politicians lose sight of the importance resource-based industries; US construction material prices continue to rise; and US homebuilder optimism is down for a third straight month.

Climate change studies speak to the risk: of permafrost loss in Europe; the loss of wildlife in the Amazon; and UN projects doing more harm than good in Africa.

Finally, can concrete be improved with wood nanocrystals? Can plastic drink cartons be made with wood? Yes and Yes!

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The US Dept of Commerce ruled that some Canadian producers are dumping uncoated roundwood paper in the US. A smattering of responses:

• Catalyst Paper is very disappointed (Ned Dwyer, Catalyst CEO)
• Another blow for Canadian forestry (Alex Moreau, Montreal Economic Institute)
• We will not be bullied (Bruce Ralston, BC Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology)
• US publishers sound alarm, some will close (David Chavern, News Media Alliance)
• Trade remedies are needed to level the playing field (Craig Anneberg, Norpac CEO)

Elsewhere in Business: BC log export restrictions are the big change in the softwood lumber dispute; an Ontario court awards $2.6 billion in the Sino-Forest fraud case; and the number of Canadian towns relying on forestry is down significantly.

In other news: wood frame construction is “under fire” due to Georgia’s wood bill; FSC approves the final draft of its National Forest Management Standard; the new USFS Chief calls for improved response to sexual misconduct; and the WA Nature Conservancy seeks to replicated old growth forests.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The US Dept. of Commerce imposed anti-dumping duties averaging 22.16 per cent against most Canadian newsprint producers, adding to the 6.53 per cent in countervailing duties levied earlier. The Canadian government and FPAC responded with disappointment and determination. In other trade news: Trump’s firing of Rex Tillerson is said to be “bad for NAFTA“; and some homebuilders say “tariffs are Trump’s war new housing“.

In Forestry news: the WWF says half the world’s forests are at risk to climate change; the Oregon logging conference celebrates 80 years; a New York Times headline reads “turning back the clock on protecting Alaska’s wild lands“; and a Wisconsin stewardship agreement brings “tree-huggers and lumberjacks together“.

Finally, wood is making a comeback in housebuilding in the UK, and congratulations to Dave Lehane [previously of West Fraser fame], the newly appointed Chair of the BC Forest Safety Council.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

In today’s news: US home construction over the past decade has increased the high-risk woodland-urban interface by more area than the state of Washington; two US fire scientists received the pinnacle of recognition for improving the US National Fire Danger Rating System; unauthorized drones are hindering wildfire response in Texas; and thinning is proposed to reduce fire risk in Missoula County.

On the wildlife front, rat poison is killing owls in BC; logging is being blamed for the loss of bird nests in Nova Scotia; and environmentalists say a rare salamander is threatened in Oregon. 

In Business news: the global forest industry performed well in 2017; lumber stocks are up again; and Pinnacle and West Fraser are converting a particle board facility in Smithers to pellets.

Finally, Goddess Gala celebrates female truck logger (BC); and convention goers can check out the Montreal Wood Convention (March 20-22); or the Print and Packaging Summit in DC (June 19-20).

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor 

In today’s news: wildfire researchers at the University of Calgary suggest it’s possible to predict where and when lightning will strike; a US ecologist recommends prescribed burning to prevent mega fires in BC; and thinning of beetle devastated forests commences in Jasper National Park. Meanwhile, the Quebec government will allow a small herd of caribou to die off; and Ontario’s rural communities push back on an American activist group’s lobbying efforts. 

In Business news; an opinion writer in Maine suggests Gov. Paul Lepage’s bleak take on forest industry jobs is influenced by his pro-Canadian position on lumber tariffs; while a Toronto Star writer suggest’s Trump’s bully-boy tactics exposes Canada’s US-focused trade policies. Meanwhile, Southern Oregon’s log prices broke last month’s 25-year record.

Finally, researchers at the University of Maryland have done it again. Last month wood was shown to be stronger than steel. This month, wood is the new styrofoam, outperforming just about all existing insulators.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Mass timber and CLT dominate today’s headlines. Specifically, as a means for: California to address its housing crisis; Louisiana to reshape its skyline; American builders to reduce their costs; and the Czech government to house their foresters. And supporting the trend is an international mass timber conference in Portland. Elsewhere, a Q&A on traditional wood-frame as it’s under the gun due to an apartment fire in Denver. 

In other news: a female woodland firefighter is named Interim USFS Chief, US steelmakers cheer tariffs, while Canada dodges the tariff bullet; conservationists say the deadly bat disease is coming to BC; and researchers at Wisconsin-Madison say florescent pink “is the new black” [for high-vis vests] because it’s more visible in Autumn.

Finally, ForestTECHX wraps up a successful Vancouver show. Click here for the Frog’s speaker highlights and pictures.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

US spokesman says tariffs on steel and aluminum—to be effective within 30 days—won’t apply right away to Canada and Mexico. In related news: US allies plan to sign Trans-Pacific Partnership without the US; and Canada’s softwood exports to the US fell 14 per cent in January due to lumber duties. 

Companies in the news include: Kruger (best company award); Canfor (upgrades Alabama sawmill); West Fraser (updates city on fibre supply); and Hampton Affiliates (appeals WorkSafeBC fine).

In Forestry news: BC strikes panel to review its environmental assessment process; Oregon’s top forester says forestry can help water quality; ENGOs question the science behind Canada’s wildlife management; and fashion designer Chanel is accused of environmental heresy for using chopped-down trees in their show.

Finally – it’s International Women’s Day, so we close with a feature story on the career challenges (and rewards) faced by Jeanna Glendinning, a logging truck driver with Western Forest Products.

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

As you can see from our Special Feature, we’re once again rubbing elbows with the forest sector, this time at ForestTECHX. Last night was the meet and greet, and today we look forward to the technical sessions. Watch the Frog on Friday for the overview. 

On the trade front, Canada has come out triumphant after a NAFTA tribunal ruled against Mercer International’s claim that it’s pulp-mills were discriminated against by BC Hydro and the BC Utilities Commission. But the trade war continues, and Canada’s Federal Finance Minister addressed questions about the dispute at a Business Council of BC meeting on Tuesday, where COFI’s Susan Yurkovich emphasized the importance of a streamlined approach to regulation. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization has a new online platform for monitoring the world’s forest resources. Using Google Earth and the computing power of Google the tool allows users with no remote sensing experience to monitor forest cover changes over time. 

Finally, we’ll close with horse logging in Prince Edward Island – why? “It’s just good for the soul, good for the woods, good for the environment. Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s bad.”

–Sandy McKellar, Tree Frog Editor

In response to Trump’s threat to use steel tariffs to force a quick NAFTA deal, Trudeau registered his serious concern in a phone call last evening. Adding to the unprecidented urgency—according to trade czar Lighthizer—are the US midterm elections and legally required consultations, which means a deal must be struck within weeks. Related commentary: why the tariffs impact multifamily construction most; and Minister Freeland sharpens her tongue.

Companies in the news include: Canfor (two top employer awards); Canfor Pulp (a leadership change); Weyerhaeuser (revenue growth); Tolko (MOU with First Nations); and IWI (Bonfield sawmill to be built).

In other news: Canada’s environment minister says “we’re all in” on climate targets despite emissions gap; SFI announces conservation grants that support sustainable forestry; New Zealand moves to protect the world’s most evolutionarily distinct frog and Greenpeace wants us to protect forests by eating less meat and dairy. 

Finally, the Softwood Lumber Board released its 2017 Annual Report. Impressive demand gains yet again!

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Undeterred by a storm of criticism, Trump doubles down on his announced tariffs on steel and aluminum by tying exemptions for Canada and Mexico to concessions on NAFTA. Even the Wall Street Journal was critical, noting wryly:” the [steel] tariffs will whack that menace to world peace known as Canada”. The housing market says tariffs will “drive up home prices“; and “couldn’t have come at a worst time“.

In Wildfire news; despite the snow Alberta’s wildfire season has already begun; the 2018 season will come early in the US west; Montana wants to end fire borrowing; US drones can reduce firefighting costs; the US Forest Service is dealing with charges of sexual harassment; and researchers say small trees are a greater risk to cities because they “throw embers further and more efficiently“.

Finally: Sandy Springs continues to resist wood-framed buildings; the future of housing in New Zealand is “prefabs and tiny homes“; and wildlife ecologist Anthony Sebastian [FSC’s International Board Chair] says “in order to save trees, you need to use paper“. 

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Unhappy with President Trump’s plan to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum, Canada, Asia and the EU are up in arms and vowing to retaliate. In other trade news: a WTO decision on log restrictions in Indonesia is a blow to Canada’s softwood lumber defence; and a Wall Street Journal feature on how trade restrictions et al have resulted in lumber shortages and record prices.

Meanwhile, FPAC CEO Derek Nighbor supports MP Richard Canning’s Bill requiring the Canadian government to consider wood; OFIA’s Jamie Lim wants to maximize wood’s potential in Ontario; and Wood for Good and Trada will feature a Timber district at this year’s Ecobuild in the UK.

In Forestry news: Oregon ENGOs call Oregon the “Home of the Clear Cut“; the Tokyo Olympics are criticized for using Asian rainforest timber; South Korea mulls planting forests razed for the Pyeongchang Games; and forestry is the issue that “dare not speak its name” in the Tasmanian election. 

Finally, Congressman Jared Huffman wants to save California’s redwood country – by logging some of it.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Tolko is making its first venture into the US south while Rex Lumber plans a new sawmill in Alabama. Once built, the two plants will produce annually half a billion board feet of lumber. But what will sawmills of the future look like? The Logging and Sawmilling Journal has a feature interview with UBC professor Julie Cool. 

In other Business news: both Babine Forest Products and Lakeland Mills are appealing the fines levied for their 2012 sawdust explosions; Sandy Springs mayor and fire chief protest wood-frame apartments; New Zealand cements its position as China’s top source of logs and APA announces changes to its Board of Trustees.

Elsewhere: the carbon holding potential of forest soils; Vermont forests vulnerability to climate change; NZ companies spend more for logging security and a court in Brazil delivers a blow to Amazon activists.

Finally, while lots of  trees are hermaphroditic—their flowers have both male and female parts—here’s one that can switch genders.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor 

Commentary on Canada’s 2018 budget includes a feature on addressing the need for more women in construction trades, and FPAC provides a breakdown on how the budget will benefit the forest sector.

Cleaning-up: BC’s West Fraser Timber is designing an engineered cover that will keep coal pile contaminants from entering into adjacent land areas and Northern Pulp has been given a cleanup directive from the Nova Scotia government to manage power boiler ash. 

The BC Wood WORKS! awards are still rocking the news scene (in Penticton and Whistler), and in the UK, TRADA is encouraging more young people to think about wood with their Urban Buzz program where 60 students from 28 universities competed in a timber design competition. 

The University of Arizona notes a disturbing trend in wildfires that shows an increase in area burned that will continue into coming decades in the Pacific Northwest. They hope their research serves as a ‘wake-up call to public agencies and landowners’. Protecting forests from fire, a collaborative approach is working in Ashland, Oregon, and California is asking for increased funding to bring in extra firefighters and implement a more nimble response time when help is needed.

—Sandy McKellar, Tree Frog Editor

Wood WORKS!—the Canadian Wood Council initiative to grow the market for wood—turned 20 in 2018, and the anniversary was celebrated at this year’s Wood Design Awards in BC. And the Oscar (in a record three categories) goes to… Brock Commons. Elsewhere, brick and beam construction makes a comeback in Toronto thanks to changes allowing taller wood structures.

In Business news: advocates for a deal are emerging in round seven of the NAFTA negotiations; US home sales drop for the second straight month; Maritime fishermen snub Northern Pulp: and the ABCFP elects new leaders and honours its members.

Forestry commentaries include; Suzuki on the Boreal; NRCan on the pinewood nematode, Arizona on the 2018 fire season; Oregon on loggers’ compliance rate; and California and Arizona on the health dangers of wildfire smoke. 

Finally, cloths retailer Guess commits to endangered forests and there’s “nothing un-natural about petroleum.”

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

A feature article in the New York Times suggests NAFTA is far from critical to Canada’s economic survival and even if “what would succeed it is not clear”, Susan Yurkovich (BC Lumber Trade Council) doesn’t anticipate access to US markets to be significantly affected. In other Business news: more on the NDP’s plan to restore appurtenancy rules that tie timber harvests to mills; Oregon wood products show job growth; and forest fires in Canada contribute to Taiwan’s toilet paper panic.

At the BC Forest Professionals AGM, Minister Donaldson announced a review of the province’s Forest Inventory Program and expressed gratitude there was no loss of life associated to the 2017 wildfire season, while Environment Minister Heyman said forestry is not the primary reason for a review of the role of professionals in resource management.

In other news: prefabricated mass timber offers ‘plug and play’ construction; McDonalds is under pressure to go 100 per cent biodebradable with packaging; and beech trees are booming due to climate change and “that’s bad for forests“.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

‘Tis the season? Foresters, loggers and wood specifiers are gathering to learn, and honour their respective champions. The Association of BC Forest Professionals recognized more than a dozen professionals for their outstanding work in sustainable forest management; the 80th annual Oregon Logging Conference kicked off in Eugene Oregon and the Canadian Wood Council announced its Manitoba Wood Solutions Fair in April.

Researchers at the University of BC have made a wood-based concrete panel that performs best with beetle-killed wood; while Purdue University researchers show that concrete infused with wood nanocrystals is stronger, allowing for less concrete in some applications. In other news: inside the operation to save ‘ghosts of the woods’ from hungry wolves; Ontario’s forest industry is also committed to protecting caribou; and drier conditions could doom Rocky Mountain spruce and fir trees.

Finally, Canfor announces and then updates a delay to its planned construction of a new mill in Washington GA.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

We report to you today from Victoria, BC at the Association of BC Forest Professionals’ 70th AGM and conference. The show was a sellout, with 400+ delegates packing the presentations to standing room only. Check our coverage below for the latest from chief foresters, fire experts and more. 

My favourite quote for today comes from Sumitomo via the Pars Herald — “‘happiness grows from trees’ and cities become forests from building out of timber rather than concrete.” The wood trend is continuing around with world, with new towers popping up all over the place, today we look to Norway who is reaching up to be the tallest wood tower. The American Wood Council is working ensure the ongoing trend – to date they have 100 on-line courses about wood building because “Wood is the go-to material for builders in North America”! 

Quesnel’s Chamber of Commerce hosted a dynamic presentation on preparing your business in the event of a wildfire, Parks Canada is planting thousands of whitebark seedlings in the Kootenay National Park in fire impacted forests and a review of forest practices in Nova Scotia has been given a two-month extension.

The text for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is now ready for signing and a new analysis suggests the US withdrawal will result in more economic benefits for Canada. In other news: yesterday’s budget in BC includes more funding for wildfire recovery and fire prevention.

Elsewhere: a proposed law would kill Sandy Springs’ [Georgia] building code restrictions on wood buildings over three stories; Essex County [Ontario] fights to protect its Oak trees from a tree fungus spreading in Michigan; it’s Flagstaff’s turn [Arizona] to tackle the mountain pine beetle and Indonesia mobilizes to combat health-damaging forest fire haze.

The Association  of BC Forest Professionals annual convention starts today in Victoria and tonight’s keynote is a public lecture by Scott Stephens, professor of fire science at the University California Berkeley. The Frogs will be reporting live from the convention floor so check here for regular updates and say hi if you see us!

Finally, a very unique set of wood speakers from discarded wood, based on the same method of making music as a violin.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Maine Governor Paul LePage has asked the US Dept. of Commerce to exempt New Brunswick from duties against Canadian lumber, blaming BC for the softwood dispute. LePage also believes that some mills in Quebec near the US border should be excluded. In other Business news, Trudeau announces investment deal with India [that includes pulp] and Gorman Bros. drops a shift due to reductions in beetle kill logs.

In Forestry news, BC’s NDP turns its attention to raw log exports; FSC’s rigour is challenged by a Yale School of Forestry publication; the US Congress fails to fix the funding formula for wildfire management; the Dept. of Interior is in turmoil due to changes in public land management; and a million trees have been pledged to offset Trump’s non-climate plan.

Finally, New Zealand robotics offers new solutions for forest safety and shortages of skilled machine operators; while new laser technology in the UK seeks to measure forest canopy changes over time.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Softwood lumber prices continue to rise as strong demand and tight supply are expected to keep prices high throughout 2018. Ken Shields (Conifex) believes growth in demand will outstrip supply through 2020, Ted Seraphim says West Fraser’s “longer-term outlook is really positive”, and Don Demens has renewed Western’s capital investment plans.

In Business news: Norpac continues to “draw the ire of US publishers” over tariffs; the Canadian government [via FPInnovations] is helping small business in Northern Ontario; SmartLam is the second CLT company to expand to Maine; and Brexit’s impact on the timber sector is being debated in the UK.

In other news: a Q&A with Michael Green; yet another “world’s largest timber tower“; how tree rings reveal our past and future; and a biofuel breakthrough in the UK.

Finally, if you’re in Victoria BC, check out the ABCFP’s free public lecture on the “Future of Wildfire in BC” and what we can learn from the California experience. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Canada’s Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected Valentine’s Day meeting with US trade czar Lighthizer was “just a bilateral check-in”. Readers will recall that “there was no love lost” the last time the two met. Elsewhere: Trump’s team drops a hint that NAFTA-end not imminent; and “it’s time for Canada to reveal its Plan B“. Apparently it has one.

In Forestry news: a hybrid mountain pine beetle is “poised to wreak havoc” in Jasper National Park; the BC auditor general says climate adaptation is needed; a “high amplitude mountain wave” of wind knocked over 100 gigantic trees in Olympic National Park; Science Magazine says vast bioenergy plantations could stave off climate change; and Borneo has lost 100,000 orangutans due to hunting and deforestation.

In other news: Unifor has selected Resolute as its target as labour negotiations for eastern pulp and paper get ready to commence.

Finally, a BC forester pitches his “tablet friendly” cruisers’ vest to the Dragons’ Den.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The BC government signalled it will begin restoring the requirement that timber harvested from public lands be processed in nearby mills, according to Vaughn Palmer in the Vancouver Sun. However, a case-by-case approach may be required so as to avoid “unintended consequences” in the fight for a softwood deal with the US.

In Forestry news: Moose-ion accomplished [through culling] in Newfoundland after years of moose-caused forest conversion; while Northern Ontario’s caribou-management involves a helicopter ride to a new home. Elsewhere, Peru moves to protect one of the “last great intact forests”; and a story on why India’s forest cover is overstated.

In other news: CLT is rising at Oregon State University College; related building code changes are in the works for Washington State; and the future of architecture in the UK is [per the Roca London Gallery] engineered wood.

Finally, bioenergy breakthroughs include a new way to remove contaminants from treated wood waste (Canada); and recycling and biofuel efficiencies are possible via mapping carbohydrates in plant matter (Sweden).

 — Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Pirate-style wooden peg legs come to mind when thinking about “human body parts made out of wood“, but Norwegian scientists are talking nanocellulose, which together with nutrients and stem cells from an injured patient can help regenerate body tissue. Elsewhere, University of Maryland scientists demonstrate the bulletproof competence of “super wood“.

In other Wood news: the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) released its 2017 results—one billion board feet of new lumber demand—while the USDA has announced the referendum date to determine whether the SLB will continue for another five years. Meanwhile, APA – The Engineered Wood Association celebrated more than half a million publication downloads in 2017.

In Forestry news: heli-logging is being used to minimize the spread of Douglas fir beetles in BC; California’s timber battles have shifted from redwoods to Douglas fir; the Sierra Nevada is rethinking how it fights forest fires; and Colorado sees product opportunities after decades of pine beetle devastation.

Finally, another reason to hug a logger—BC logging truck driver saved a moose calf after it got stuck in a snowbank.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Speaking at the White House yesterday, President Trump complained about Canadian trade practices while “threatening some as-yet-undefined international tax“. Elsewhere on trade: Policy Options has a piece on the “lessons learned from the 2017 softwood lumber dispute“; and the Book Manufacturers’ Institute joined the growing coalition against US tariffs on Canadian newsprint.

In Forestry news: World Wildlife Fund Columbia considers lessons from the Great Bear Rainforest; US Secretary Zinke orders more aggressive practices to prevent catastrophic wildfires; Congress failed to include wildfire legislation in the budget due to last minute roadblocks; and Missoula forester Mark Finney says the problem with wildfires is that “nobody owns them“. 

Finally, a few repeats from yesterday—given it was a holiday for some—include: marbled murrelet listed as an endangered species in Oregon; and Tom Maness, Oregon State’s Dean, calls the new Forest Science Complex “transformational” despite its challenges”.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

In a 4-2 vote, the Oregon Commission of Fish and Wildlife uplifted the marbled murrelet from threatened to endangered, despite concerns from the timber industry. The vote puts Oregon on the same page as neighboring California and Washington, while in BC and Alaska the bird’s status is less protected [in part] because the populations are much larger.

In other news: Oregon State’s Dean, Tom Maness, calls the new Forest Science Complex “transformational” despite the challenges; Montana’s Big Snowy Mountains wilderness area may be threatened while planning in the state’s Flathead area achieved gains; and Indiana wonders whether cutting trees is good or bad for the forest, particularly given its 85% private forest ownership.

Finally, on the  trade front: tensions are growing between New York State and its largest trading partner [Canada]; a Florida media group says the softwood lumber dispute is following Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day script; and Prime Minister Trudeau strikes a cooperative tone on NAFTA while in California.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The Yin and Yang of the forest news world or how seemingly opposite stories may be complementary and interdependent: Seth Kursman explains why Resolute is suing Greenpeace under US racketeering laws; environmentalists say Ontario’s threatened caribou is at greater risk due to exemptions to Ontario’s wildlife laws.

Meanwhile: after 31 years at the helm, Ken Day is passing over the reins of his role at the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest; Atlantic Canada’s woodlot owners could benefit from carbon offsets; a Canadian bill requiring the federal government to consider wood in their infrastructure projects passes second reading; Montana senators’ dueling wilderness bills both get hearings at the Capital; and the Washington Post takes a closer look at the tallest trees in the world.

Finally climate change adaption in BC is human-assisted but “are we playing God?“; and the “Ikea of the coffin world” allows you to assemble your own environmentally friendly, biodegradable, all-wood Exit Box.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

A simple “densification process” can transform any type of wood into a material stronger than steel, and even some high-tech titanium alloys, according to Nature magazine. The Maryland researchers behind the claim say the compressed wood’s resistance is increased more than 10-fold, it can be molded into almost any shape and it’s moisture-resistant. Look out steel, concrete and plastic!

Names in today’s news include:

• NB Premier Gallant is optimistic the US will offer his province relief on softwood
• Federal Minister Carr is open to providing similar help to newsprint producers (as per softwood)
• FPInnovations’ new CEO Stéphane Renou carves out his vision for the future
• BC’s Private Land Owners Association appoints Megan Hanacek as CEO
• Alaska’s Senator Murkowski seeks to reverse regulations that caused her industry’s decline

In other news: scientists are mapping the genome of giant redwoods; increased UV from ozone depletion can sterilize trees; and researchers at Columbia University confirm the link between climate change and wildfires.

Finally, Dunkin’ Donuts embraces paper cups and SFI, while a piece of WWII history is charted on Domtar’s Espanola mill wall.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor