Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke called on President Donald Trump to shrink a total of four national monuments—including Southern Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou—and change the way 10 others are managed. Elsewhere, Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters monument is to remain unchanged, while Native American leaders are filing lawsuits over the changes to Utah’s monument.

In other news, Mayor Bob Simpson says BC’s Site C dam puts biomass energy at risk; pressure by Northern Pulp prompted Coles book store to axe a signing event, while its author says Nova Scotia is the last place she believed she would feel oppressed. Elsewhere, the Spruce bark beetle is returning to Alaska, while the state’s last big timber mill (Viking) faces an uncertain future.

Finally, Interfor’s Rick Slaco [and paparazzi wannabe] caught a Barred Owl making a successful kill in downtown Vancouver.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

As the clock inches towards the end of 2017, it seems unlikely a new softwood agreement will be inked, according to the Canadian Press’ Mia Rabson. But thanks to near-record prices and the insatiable demand from US builders, there haven’t been any layoffs yet. 

Other past year reflections include:

• Wood Business recaps the last year in forestry
• The BC Government announces a review of flooding and forest fires in 2017
• The TLA looks back on 75 years in book to be released at its AGM

In other news: Northern Pulp is trying to calm the fears of fishers over their proposed effluent-treatment plant, while longterm-employee Angus Pellerin “asks the public to keep an open mind“. Elsewhere, New Brunswick’s trade minister rebuffs the idea that the review of their softwood market “is itself a form of subsidy“.

Finally, Fast + Epp were honoured in London, UK with an award from the Institution of Structural Engineers for Brock Commons.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

CEO’s Susan Yurkovich (BC Council of Forest Industries) and Rick Jeffery (Coast Forest Products Association) announced Friday the merging of their organizations to “create a stronger, unified voice for the BC forest industry“. The change will be effective April 1, 2018 and until that time, both organizations will continue to operate independently.

In Forestry news; the BC government is seeking public input on its review of professional reliance—the practice of relying upon the decisions and advice of forest professionals; and Lake Louise (the ski resort) is in court after it cut down a stand of endangered whitebark pine trees. 

In Business news: plywood producers in Oregon applaud the imposition of US tariffs on Chinese hardwood plywood; log prices are at record highs in Washington State; and community leaders in Port Alberni BC and Camus Washington are asking how they can revive their shuttered mills.

Finally, University of Northern BC professor Thomas Tannert has been recognized for his work on Tall Wood Structures; the permits for Spokane’s CLT plant have been issued; and CLT panels are going up at Oregon State’s new forestry building.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The New Brunswick government plans to takes steps to help its lumber industry, including hiring the ‘best experts’ to review the province’s forestry market, while BC Premier John Horgan says “BC won’t back down“. Elsewhere, the Mayor of Port Alberni and the local union rep are putting pressure on WFP to “reopen its Somas mill or sell it to someone who will”.

In Forestry news, the BC Forest Practices Board released its review of government’s monitoring of forest practices [good but not great]; the Ancient Forest Alliance seeks policy changes to protect Vancouver Island lands with “high conservation, cultural or recreational value”; and forestry icon Chick Stewart released a memoir on his working life in BC’s sawmill industry.

South of the 49th: Grizzly bear managers in Montana face hurdles on way to ‘federal delisting’; the US Forest Service is combating tree mortality with biochar; and a new study assesses the impact of beetles on Montana’s logging and saw milling costs.

Finally, the ‘seduction of wood‘ takes value-added wood products to a new level.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

While BC Forests Minister Doug Donaldson announced more funding to help businesses affected by this summer’s wildfire season, Ottawa wants to tax some land owners 50 per cent on what they might receive from salvage logging their decimated property. “The ultimate kick in the guts“.

In other Forestry news: BC forest companies speak to careful, sustainable logging in Nelson area watersheds; wildfires may have affected the migration patterns of some west coast birds; a specific fungus is seen as a potential solution to the emerald ash borer infestation; and lawmakers in Indianapolis propose set asides of 30 percent on Indiana’s old forests.

Finally, CWC is applauding the Ontario government’s decision to employ a life-cycle assessment approach for major infrastructure projects and in a new video, Domtar claims it can do in a few days what Mother Nature does in millions of years. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The Canadian Press reports that the Quebec government intends to create a 10,000-square kilometre protected area for caribou habitat. The decision has environmental groups cheering.

In BC, Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson says there won’t be any salvage logging in his area as the summer fires burned so hot there is nothing harvest. In the US, the Forest Service is looking to hire 900+ firefighting jobs. “You get to travel” and you “could make $35,000 in a season”. Sounds good to me!

Canada has taken softwood lumber to the World Trade Organization, their pitch “the United States made calculations that fail to comply with international trade rules”. However, it isn’t all doom and gloom. BC’s NDP government says “BC lumber prices are near record highs“, and EACOM Timber in Ontario says the US will continue to be their biggest market, despite high tariffs. 

Finally, have you started your Christmas shopping? A non-profit tree planting organization has some great forest-friendly gift ideas for you.

— Sandy McKellar, Tree Frog Editor

The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) was established in 2012 to promote the benefits and uses of softwood lumber products and their investments to date have resulted in 2.6 billion board feet of new demand, enough to build about 160,000 new homes. 

In other Wood Product news: Stewart Muir in the Vancouver Sun says ‘old’ sectors like forestry are driving technological innovations, The Globe and Mail says timber-frame construction may gain momentum with new federal funding; the Architecture Newspaper says the US Congress is gearing up for a fight over mass timber legislation; and down-under expert Andrew Dunn says the use of timber in multi-storey buildings is not new, “we’re just re-finding old ways of building with modern products“.

In Business news: the US/Canada trade war on newsprint is heating up; Jerry Dias (Unifor) says only cynics would see Resolute’s lumber gift to hurricane victims as a threat; and former Sino-Forest CEO says he is sorry the shareholders lost billions of dollars but that it wasn’t because of his actions.

Finally, new analysis estimates that stopping deforestation and improving forestry practices could cut carbon emissions as much as getting rid of every car on earth.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Cyber Shopper!

On December 6, 1917, two cargo ships laden with explosives collided in the Halifax Harbour resulting in the largest artificial explosion up to that time. Boston authorities learned of the disaster and quickly dispatched a relief train with medical supplies and personnel. A 50-foot tree—the selection of which comes with exacting specifications—is sent to Boston as an annual acknowledgement and thank you from the people of Halifax.

In Forestry news, BC and Canada reached agreement on how to protect caribou habitat; an Ontario NGO refutes a forest industry website called Caribou Facts; David Suzuki has a new documentary called What Trees Talk About; and Ontario’s Tree Seed Plant closure in Angus has some wondering where next year’s seed crops will be processed. 

Meanwhile, on the House and Senate wildfire bills: the Montana Wilderness Assoc. says the current funding method is bankrupting the agency; the Nature Conservancy says the legislation would reduce the need for transfers from nonsuppression accounts; and the Centre for Biological Diversity says the bill exploits the public’s fears of wildfire and guts environmental protections.

Finally, architect Michael Green says the appeal of building tall with timber runs deep: “I’ve never seen anybody walk into one of my buildings and hug a steel or a concrete column. But I’ve seen that happen in a wood building.”

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Although the term was coined in the early 1960s to describe traffic jams in Philadelphia the day after Thanksgiving, and has become depicted in recent years by hordes of unruly mall-customers, Black Friday has a more fateful and historic connotation in Australia. This due to their Black Friday fires in 1939, where on January 13th [a Friday no less], a total of 69 sawmills were burned and 71 lives lost.

In Forestry News, new advances in Christmas tree innovation could help economic growth in Nova Scotia, notably a balsam fir that would retain needles for up to three months; the hullabaloo over logging and caribou in Northern Ontario continues to intensify; a draft agreement to support caribou recovery in BC has been reached; and a former Maine commissioner speaks out on forests, jobs and excessive CO2.

Finally, a Swedish power plant is using clothing discarded from H&M rather than coal and oil as part of its strategy to go fossil-fuel free by 2020. According to Johanna Dahl, “H&M does not burn any clothes that are safe to use”.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

BC Premier John Horgan welcomed word of additional funds to help BC’s wildfire recovery effort after he [if he doesn’t mind saying] bluntly told Trudeau to “bring some cash”. Meanwhile, BC mayor Bob Simpson wants funding to reduce forest fuels in Quesnel’s wildland urban interface area; and Williams Lake Councillor Scott Nelson says the province needs to move faster in salvaging burnt timber.

In Business news, Alberta and BC will lead economic growth in Canada notwithstanding the softwood lumber duties, Nick Arkle says Gorman Bros. Lumber will continue shipping to the US despite the increased hassle; and Catalyst pulp mill workers have agreed to a new four-year contract.

Finally, an inciteful letter from Peter Lake on how common misunderstandings [on forest fires] can lead to climate change denial; and BC Forests Practices Board Chair Tim Ryan says although its doesn’t “have teeth”, the Board protects the public interest via following up on public complaints and undertaking audits, similar to the auditor general. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

If you’re buying a real Christmas tree, you better hit the lots soon – it’s going to be like Black Friday shopping this year for trees. Nine years ago many producers shut down, and today farmers are saying they won’t be able to meet demand – this has lot owners worried. If you’re thinking you’ll head out into the wild to cut your own tree you may want to hone your lumberjack skills by spending a day at Bad Axe Throwing – the latest fitness craze to hit Washington DC!

In Business news, after six months of negotiations, Florida-based Rayonier Advanced Materials has officially acquired Canada’s Tembec Inc. and “just like the fairy tale: all the investors ended up happy“! In the West, The Idaho Forest Group has acquired The St. Regis sawmill, calling the transaction “an excellent strategic addition to our existing operations in Northern Idaho”. 

In the Wood section today we share the grand opening of StructureCraft’s new all wood plant in Langley; a discussion about the safety of tall wood structures; a Japanese developer teaching glulam technology in Russia, who says, “In Russia they think a brick or concrete house is better than wooden – it is a mistake“; and a Swiss apartment prototype that applies experimental applications to beech wood making it rot and warp resistant. 

Sandy McKellar – Tree Frog Editor

Using wood pellets for home heating fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than half, according to new research at the University of New Hampshire. The potential of wood residues is also making news in Australia, while researchers at the University of Toronto say they are one step closer to creating artificial photosynthesis.

In Forestry news: the Edmonton Journal speaks to their mountain pine beetle problem (apparently beetles don’t respect borders); the new chair of BC’s Cariboo Regional District is talking about how to rebuild after the wildfires; and West Fraser and Tolko say we have to move quickly to salvage the burnt timber.

In Business news: Tom Fletcher says China is a better partner than the US; New Brunswick residents are left wondering if and when Irving will upgrade its Doaktown mill; and Canfor announces plans to expand its Moultrie, Georgia mill.

Finally, is mass timber really sustainable? According to the Architect’s Newspaper, the answer is yes but “we like to blame a lot of things for climate change—namely coal and cow farts—but if we were to search for a worthy scapegoat, architects might end up looking in the mirror”.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The gender balance in BC’s forest sector is shifting as more women are studying forestry, entering the industry and taking key roles, according to UBC’s Sally Aitken. In other Forestry news, studies in BC and Europe suggest that the amount of moisture in the air will be impacted by climate change with the growing season in some forests becoming more arid.

With expectations of a NAFTA renewal waning, Barrie McKenna (Globe and Mail) says challenging the lumber tariffs under NAFTA is an astute move by Trudeau, in part because currently the US economy—not Canadians—are paying the price. Naomi Christensen (Canada West Foundation) says the end of NAFTA is not going to stop trade but it will get more expensive. And Jesse Robichaud (Guardian) opines that political agendas have a way of getting in the way of the natural ebb and flow of business across borders. Elsewhere, Forest Minister Doug Donaldson speaks to his recent efforts to diversify BC’s lumber markets in China and Japan.

Finally, FPInnovations has a new President and CEO (Stéphane Renou) and Rolling Stones keyboardist and tree champion Chuck Leavell has a new show on PBS called America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell. 

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

A massive buildup of mountain pine beetles in Jasper National Park is exploding into commercially valuable forests along its boundaries.”They decided to consider the pine beetle a native disturbance agent“, said UBC researcher Allan Carroll, “and that hesitation precluded a plan with effective outcomes.”

In other Forestry news: Ken Day is considering more thinning to prevent future fires in UBC’s research forest; BC MLAs are unanimous on the need for incentives to salvage wildfire-damaged timber; and Nova Scotia woodland owners wonder how we got so detached from the forest products we use every single day.

In other news, Irving blames softwood duties for stalling its mill upgrade; NY researchers reduce carbon monoxide emissions from stored wood pellets; and new product rules help companies promote the environmental footprints of their cellulosic products.

Finally, a mystery photo of a red cedar being felled is sparking outrage among conservation groups… except that the location and date of when the tree was harvested is unknown. Hmmmm…

–Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

On the eve of NAFTA talks in Mexico, Canada is employing one of the most contentious elements of NAFTA—the Chapter 19 dispute panels—in its softwood lumber dispute with the US. A sample of the boundless coverage includes the Canadian Press (Mia Rabson), Globe and Mail (Brent Jang), Bloomberg (Josh Wingrove) and the Whitecourt Star (Marcia Love). A related story by Tom Fletcher (BC Local News) links the lumber dispute to BC’s  latest trade effort in Asia.

Forestry and fire news includes the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre receiving a grant to “standardize first response teams”; Northwest forests are reported as “denser and more vulnerable to fire“; and fuel reduction efforts “may not save places from wildfire“.

Michael Green keynoted the jam-packed wood solutions conference in Vancouver yesterday. Other conference speakers highlighted mass timber in the UK and in Penticton BC; while StructureCraft unveiled its leap into dowel-laminated timber in Abbotsford BC.

Finally, former APA president Dennis Hardman was honoured by his peers with an award for his “lifetime of leadership and outstanding contribution to the industry”. Congratulations Dennis!

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

A new report by Forest Economic Advisors—commissioned by the Softwood Lumber Board—says softwood lumber manufacturing and related downstream industries support 776,000 jobs in the US with a payroll of more than $46 billion.

In other Business news, the softwood dispute is a big worry for US apartment developers but high lumber prices are mitigating the impact in Burns Lake BC; two Saskatchewan companies report that they are doing ok and Business in Vancouver says forestry companies fared better than mining companies over the past five years.

In Forestry news: the mayor of Cochrane Ontario says northern families are being sacrificed for misplaced extremist ideals; a Nova Scotia journalist says the use of a wood coffin in the ‘forest funeral’ protest is not hypocritical; a Montreal professor says Canada should specialize in resource development [over manufacturing]; Canopy’s founder is winning converts with her gospel of deforestation; and Puff’s goes eco-friendly by earning FSC certification.

Finally, more than 150 wood pellet manufacturing mills operate across the US—the newest/greenest being in Pine Bluff Arkansas—providing the primary heating fuel for more than 2.2 million households, according to the US Department of Energy.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

BC Forests Minister Doug Donaldson is leading the largest ever trade mission to China and Japan this week with the goals of conveying the message that BC “has lots of forest resources” despite the devastating fire season, boosting exports of higher-value wood products, and diversifying BC’s reliance on the US market. Speaking of softwood lumber, Federal and Provincial Ministers met Friday to discuss the economic effects of the dispute.

In other news, a Domtar report says the Ontario government knew their mill site was contaminated with mercury long before they purchased it from Reed Paper; the Nature Conservancy wants to raise capital to protect New England’s forests; COP 23 is raising the profile of forests in meeting climate goals; and Canberra’s cork oak plantation is celebrating its 100 year birthday. 

Finally, the Frogs are delighted to welcome Hunter Litigation Chambers as our newest sponsor. The nineteen-lawyer boutique firm is based in Vancouver and their forestry law practice is headed by Mark Oulton. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

With softwood duties finalized, what do investors need to know? The Woodworking Network says the duties will increase lumber prices; Seeking Alpha says lumber is an important staple to watch; the Motley Fool says investing in lumber companies might be a good idea; and the Institutional Investor says timberlands are poised for a resurgence.  

In other Business news, BC’s Doug Donaldson is heading to China and Japan to diversify BC’s wood markets; federal MP Richard Cannings hopes relief can come via his bill encouraging more wood use in buildings; and Interfor is expanding lumber production in Meldrim, Georgia.

Elsewhere, more on the “disappearing caribou“; the jumbo air tanker may live to fight [fires] another day; and in Montana’s post-fire world salvage work begins and environmental groups spar.

Congratulations to our friend and colleague Richard Wallace, who will retire after 38 years as a wood champion for Southern Pine and all things cellulose. And finally: lest we forget: we’ll be remembering and honouring our heroes tomorrow.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The Canadian Wood Council (CWC) and Wood WORKS! are omniprevalent in today’s news. World trends in wood design will be front and centre at BC Wood WORKS! conference next Tuesday; Timber Engineering and BEER are featured Wednesday by Alberta Wood WORKS!, and CWC has an online webinar featuring architect Russell Acton of Brock Commons fame. Elsewhere, Wood WORKS! Ontario’s award recipients are still making news in Thunder Bay.

In Forestry news: public comment is sought on ways to protect BC’s Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystem; civility and accuracy are being called for in Nova Scotia’s forestry debate; the hemlock woolly adelgid has turned up in Nova Scotia’s forests and wolf specialist Diane Boyd says  wolves need both private and public lands protected in Montana. 

Finally, the Hill—Washington’s political rag—has a guest opinion piece on what’s next with softwood lumber and how the feud may impact the NAFTA talks [spoiler alert – it’s litigation]. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The forest sector continues to fight back despite pit falls like fires, insects, and politics. Gerry Mooney, Woodlands Manager for Tolko sums it up well saying, “We’re open for business and we’re looking for opportunities…“. That in the face of a recent mill fire and challenges accessing salvage timber. CIBC analyst Hamir Patel tells Bloomberg that the fire at Tolko’s Lakeview Mill will add pressure to already soaring lumber prices, while ERA analyst Kevin Mason expects many mills will offset duties by jacking up prices. Across the country, in Eastern Canada, Peter Hall, Export Development Canada says pricing and demand south of the border may help New Brunswick absorb softwood duties. 

WoodWorks in cooperation with the USDA Forest Products Lab and the Softwood Lumber Council is rewriting the premise behind the Three Little Pigs – proving that CLT can take a punch. Tests conducted at the Tyndall Air Force Base determined that after a series of blasts test CLT structures remained intact under significant explosive loading. Add these (soon to be released results) to studies conducted by the Swiss National Research Program “Resource Wood” – and the report card for wood looks pretty damn good! Their conclusion? “Exploiting forests makes sense in terms of ecology and biodiversity as it can stabilise CO2 emissions for decades and diminish the greenhouse effect”. It seems wood is “not just a conventional material!

–Sandy McKellar, Tree Frog Editor

The US-based Natural Resources Defense Council says Canada is failing to measure carbon emissions from clear-cutting in the boreal forest and needs to “live up to its rhetoric“. In response, FPAC and the Ontario government say the NRDC doesn’t account for carbon stored in wood products and “forestry can help mitigate the effects of climate change“. 

The US forest/fire debate continues with claims that Senator Daines’ wildfire survey  is “over-simplified and politically skewed“. Related headlines include: Logging isn’t the right response to forest fires; After decades of fire suppression US forests were ready to burn; and Senator Tester asks the Forest Service to let fire scientists attend [a climate change] conference.

“No one seems to be interested in forestry policy any more” (in Campbell River), according to William Wagner RFP, although the future of forests and forestry on Vancouver Island will be the focus of an upcoming six-city ENGO tour.

In Business news, New Brunswick sawmills say they are unfairly singled out, the extent of Tolko’s mill fire is becoming apparent [not good], and a fire destroyed the Libby lumber mill in Montana.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Evacuated in July due to wildfires, Tolko’s Lakeview sawmill in Williams Lake was shut down again over the weekend, but this time due to a fire from inside the mill. According to the Globe and Mail, the mill was already facing an uncertain future due to the softwood lumber dispute and uncertainty over future harvest levels. 

Ben & Jerry’s [yes – the ice cream company] has joined four other retail outlets “imploring the government to protect woodland caribou from unsustainable logging practices“. Punching back, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities say the caribou population has “been rising thanks to sound forestry practices“. 

In other news, Westerman’s Forestry Bill has cleared the House and now heads to the Senate where its future is less certain. Oregon’s delegation split on the vote; the Editorial Board of the Press Democrat says we should fight wildfires without gutting conservation rules; while the News Tribune points to other legislative blueprints for fire protection. 

Finally, Lloyd Alter of TreeHugger fame, has two stories on the reasons to build and build big with wood from the Toronto Wood Solutions Fair; and a wood-based textile developer is converting pulp directly into textile fibre without using chemical solvents.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The US Department of Commerce imposed final tariffs averaging 20.83 per cent against Canadian lumber, down from 26.75 per cent in the preliminary findings. The rates fell for West Fraser, Canfor and Tolko and rose for Resolute and Irving. Other Canadian producers will pay 20.83 per cent. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia is excluded from tariffs while New Brunswick now has to pay.

Although the rate reduction brought lumber futures down from their 2-decade high, the range of reactions include:

• A positive step forward for the US industry (Jason Brochu, US Lumber Coalition)
• One step closer to getting hard-won relief (Ron Wyden D-Ore)
• Softwood scuffle isn’t over (Susan Yurkovich, Council of Forest Industries)
• Unfounded and unfair (Roger Melanson, New Brunswick Minister)
• A ‘Groundhog Day’ loop (John Horgan, BC Premier)
• Any level of softwood lumber duties is unfair trade (Jerry Dias, Unifor)
• Unfair, unwarranted and deeply troubling (Chrystia Freeland & Jim Carr, Canadian Government)

In other news: the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the Ktunaxa Nation’s resort appeal, ruling that the BC government “appropriately balanced” the interests in play; Tolko is fighting an active fire in their Williams Lake mill; and Liberal leader candidate Mike de Jong pledges to headquarter the BC Ministry of Forests in Prince George.

Finally, an interesting story on how wood got into our food, then out of it and back in again.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Filmmaker and renowned activist Ian McAlister is taking BC’s Great Bear Rainforest to new heights with an IMAX film. In other conservation news, the Toronto Star says “the woodland caribou will be extinct by the end of the century” if the current rate of decline continues; while Saskatchewan just put its caribou plan out for review.

The Resilient Federal Forest Act passed the US House by a 232 to 188 margin, although a similar version passed in 2015 and then died in the Senate. AWC’s Bob Glowinski likes that the bill would facilitate the use of innovative wood products such as mass timber.

Some US fire experts believe they are being blocked from a fire conference due to their views on climate change; to burn or not to [let wildfires] burn is under debate in Saskatchewan; and researchers in Alberta have developed an index to identify where wildfires create freshwater supply risks.

Finally, although Arkansas University’s plan to build a timber dorm is questioned, Britain’s top architecture prize is a wood “masterpiece” and Wood WORKS! Ontario honours 12 leaders in wood design and innovation.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Caribou herds and their habitat continue to decline five years after the provinces took action to preserve them, a federal study has concluded. Although progress is reported, the parliamentary secretary to the minister says “it clearly is not enough.”

In response, a Globe and Mail commentary explains “what’s at stake and what the government might do next”; while a Hill Times headline reads “sacrificing caribou to save forestry is a fool’s errand—it’s time we stop playing the fool”. Derek Neighbour (FPAC) takes a more measured approach, noting that these are complex problems that require, science-based solutions.”

In the US, The Hill has two stories on the wildfire bills before the House and Senate. This includes: “GOP sees smooth sailing for Forest Management Bill“; and the “National forests deserve better than House and Senate’s wildfire bills“, by two ecology professors. Elsewhere, a Forest Service ecologist proposes ways to “help curb the rising Era of Megafires“.

In forest product news: cargo containers are gaining steam in housing; a Vancouver company wants to replace wood framing with technology that can “print” steel beams; and the mid-rise learning curve for wood has two developers switching to steel and concrete.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Although released last month, Wood Business re-featured The State of Canada’s Forests Annual Report 2017 [and thus have we]. For longer than Canada has been a country, forestry has been an integral part of the Canadian story, and this year’s report is packed with info on its history, importance, challenges and future. The images alone of late-1800’s timber rafts on the Ottawa River and last year’s natural disaster in Fort McMurray, make this a collectors edition. Along with NRCan’s other feature today, it’s worth a read! 

In other news, a business forum aims to “strengthen the [NAFA] ties that bind New Hampshire and the Great White North”; Unifor fails to find common ground with the US Commerce Secretary; US WoodWorks plans a 3rd international mass timber conference; and timber is on the rise in France.

In forestry news, researchers in BC have developed a prediction system for human-caused wildfires; Oregon may reclassify the marbled murrelet as endangered; and a grant from the US EPA may help eradicate the hemlock woolly adelgid.

Finally, you’ll want to keep your eyes on the Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark ruling this week on the Ktunaxa Qat’muk appeal regarding what constitutes “a reasonable standard for consultation and accommodation” .

Happy Hallooooooweeeen.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

New research on how trees respond to climate change in the western US found that “young limber pines are leapfrogging their cousins and taking over the higher ground”. Climate and higher ground were also driving the decision to build a 12 storey wood residence in Paris “to contribute to the fight against climate change and promote biodiversity in urban settings”.

Wildfire management news includes an opinion piece by AFPA’s Paul Whittaker, “we can’t let our guard down on forest management”; BC’s Cariboo District is hosting wildfire consultation meetings; Washington State released its plan to reduce fire risks; and House Republicans are targeting environmental rules that facilitate more forest-thinning.

In Business news:

• The economic prospects of Vancouver Island are looking pretty good
• ‘Plywood on steroids’ holds great potential for Oregon economy, environment

Finally, do sasquatch exist? A Bigfoot researcher says he has proof they do, and he claims logging may have caused them to disappear in BC’s Kootenay region.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Scientists know the answers but will citizens take action — ask the experts on everything fire related who gathered this week in Montana to reflect on the 2017 fire season. Coverage by Rob Chaney (in the Missoulian), suggests we should “get used to  the summer smoke and flames” as they aren’t going away. Chaney also has a story on Sen. Steve Daines’ wildfire bill that would overturn a court ruling on endangered species habitat.

In other news, BC’s Premier says they’re still assessing the impact of wildfires on the allowable cut; Prince George is seeking money to update its wildfire plan; and Newfoundland and Labrador report fewer fires in 2017.

Company news includes West Fraser’s pessimism on the softwood dispute; Catalyst Paper’s tax certainty from the City of Power River; Tolko’s concern over a noise bylaw; Columbia Pulp’s plan to turn straw into paper; Sierra Pacific’s fine for safety violations; and Lumber Liquidator’s costly flooring settlement.

Finally, although the steel industry continues to tout its benefits, wood’s global potential will be championed at the Wood at Work forum in Montreal. Of course, if you want to see for yourself, the International Wood Products Association has a new book out and the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing at UBC is hosting a tour to the construction site of the world’s next tallest wood building (in Vienna).

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

West Fraser’s Ted Seraphim sees a long impasse on softwood lumber given that the US lumber lobby is “ultimately the decision maker” and is “unwilling to compromise”. Seraphim doesn’t think NAFTA will help but adds, “given that we’ve been able to pass along most of the duties, patience will be a virtue in the long run”. According to Business Insider, Trump’s plan to rip up NAFTA “could cause a big setback in the US housing market”.

In company news:

• Canfor predicts lumber prices to be steady for the rest of 2017
• The Home Depot is increasing its protection of high conservation value forests
• The Flathead Beacon has a feature on SmartLam’s meteoric rise
• Asia Pacific Resources can resume their forestry operations in Indonesia

David Suzuki says “government action and industry tactics are increasing caribou risks”; Tom Fletcher comments on the Auditor General’s report that habitat loss is the greatest threat to BC’s grizzlies; Senator Murkowski of Alaska is pondering a repeal of Obama’s effort to limit industrial activity in the Tongass; and the Forest Stewardship Council is considering whether to certify plantation forestry.

Finally, if you want a real Christmas tree this year, you better shop early, as tree shortages are anticipated in both the Northwest and the Northeast.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Derek Nighbor’s (FPAC) call for more science in Caribou protection plans is designed to “cast doubt on the science of caribou conservation“, according to Desmog Canada; while the Wildlife Conservation Society calls Ontario’s lack of Caribou leadership “unacceptable and shocking“. Such colourful language and PR antics like last week’s Forest Funeral may draw headlines, but Cassie Turple (of Ledwidge Lumber) expresses dismay and asks “does anyone else find it ironic that a forest funeral is carried out in a wooden casket?”

In Forestry news: the Seattle Times has a story on the urgent need to invest in wildfire prevention, and a story on how the “wildfire fight” is bringing Northwest Democrats and Republicans together. Elsewhere, Portugal is stepping up its wildfire response as warm weather persists.

In Business news, a Japanese conglomerate is buying 48% of Pacific BioEnergy (a BC wood-pellet company), while a British company aims to build a wood-to-jet-fuel refinery in Natchez Mississippi. Finally, innovation dominates the Wood Products news with ways to make maple into ebony; bark tannins into glue and cellulose into tin can coatings.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

FPAC’s Derek Nighbor warns that Caribou protection plans must factor in more science or “run the risk of putting thousands of forest sector workers out of a job”. Rick Jeffrey of Coast Forest calls Premier Horgan’s plan to develop a new species at risk legislation “an opportunity to generate a made in BC policy”.

Sticking with opinions worth a read:

• The Vancouver Sun says Stand.earth (a.k.a. ForestEthics) must respect the “rule of law” and pay their court costs;
• The Financial Post’s Peter Foster says it’s human nature to support David versus Goliath, but “what if Goliath is righteous and David is a job-destroying hooligan”; and
• Terry Anderson (of the Hoover Institution) claims past efforts to protect the Spotted Owl have exacerbated the wildfire situation by increased fuel loads.

Elsewhere, TimberWest is the first SFI participant to be certified under the Progressive Aboriginal Relations program, and a report on the potential restructuring of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto includes the suggestion of closing the faculty altogether. 

Finally, the Canadian Institute of Forestry awarded award the Forest Capital of Canada to the Petawawa Research Forest located in Chalk River, Ontario and COFI announced the winners of their annual photo contest. 

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The New York Times has a feature story on Iceland’s challenge to regrow its forests, which “the Vikings razed more than a thousand years ago“. In other forestry news: 

• [A Mock] Funeral for forests stretches along Halifax streets
• Questions are being raised about logging in Nelson’s water supply
• The BC Forest Discovery Centre is about to get a whole lot bigger!
• Logged tropical rainforests still support biodiversity 
• FSC supports a NAFTA chapter on rights of Indigenous Peoples

In Business news: a confluence of disasters is giving the US construction industry a strong dose of inflation; forestry stocks are forecast to trend upwards; Canfor’s Southern Pine operation will add a second shift; Northern Pulp would like a “do over” on protecting the view scape, and Asia Pacific Resources halts operations as its forestry permit is revoked.

Finally, more to-and-fro on the Greenpeace/Resolute front as Alberta MP Warkentin “excoriates the environmental group” while the San Fran Weekly profiles Greenpeace’s “call for support“.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Attack on free speech or corporate bullying? In response to a California judge dismissing its “racketeering and tortious interference claim” against Greenpeace, Resolute says it will correct the deficiencies and refile. Greenpeace calls Resolute’s action an “attack on free speech and democracy”, while The Rebel compliments Resolute for showing it has a backbone.

In Business news: the NAFTA talks have been extended as the latest round ends in a stalemate; Pulp and Paper prices are on the rise in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Irma; and Sierra Pacific experiences a revival in Washington State’s lumber industry. In other news, Timber is back in vogue in Oregon, the US is offering grants to expand tall wood markets and an Ontario MPP has introduced a bill to allow wood frame construction up to 14 storeys.

Finally, two US Senators not on Trump’s Christmas card list—John McCain and Jeff Flake—filed an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution that would require Congress to fully fund the US Forest Service’s cash-strapped wildfire management account.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Wood is top of mind for the US military. A cooperative of military and government groups are joining forces with Georgia Tech to design and build barracks for troops living overseas and they’re looking at CLT to create them. The University of Idaho is also thinking about wood, in fact, the design challenge for their new area is “use as much Idaho wood as possible“. In contrast, the Concrete Association is promoting a new study claiming lower insurance rates for multifamily buildings made from concrete rather than from wood-frame. 

It may be that forest fires have a silver lining (at least in one application) – combating sudden oak death. Although firefighters are cautious to wash any vehicle leaving quarantined areas, scientists are hopeful the fire may slow the spread of the disease. Hope is also on the minds of scientist in New Zealand who have recently completed the massive task of unlocking the genetic code for radiata pine. With this knowledge in hand, geneticists say “We could breed a whole range of different trees” and mitigate the effects of climate change. 

A final positive note for you today, David Lewis, president of Southern Forestry Consultants, says “forests can help improve our lives in Florida” and that research clearly shows “utilizing more wood generates more investments and more forests”. From cell phones to fuel, he calls for more wood fiber use – Hurrah!

Sandy McKellar — Tree Frog Editor

While some Californians start to return to their charred homes, fires in Portugal and Spain are responsible for 39 deaths and hurricane Ophelia’s winds have killed three in Ireland. Elsewhere, budget cuts hurt Alabama’s fire preparedness, but weather in Central Oregon [officially] terminates the fire season.

The US lumber industry stands firm in their subsidy claim against Canadian producers while Russ Taylor says “if there were subsidies, American companies would be buying mills in Canada and they are not”. Meanwhile, a federal judge dismissed Resolute’s lawsuit against Greenpeace but opened the door for the company to correct its deficiencies and proceed with the case.

A first-ever gathering of specialists in Colorado seeks profitable uses of biomass to make forests less fire susceptible, while a Washington State research team have found a way to replace ethanol with biofuels created from lumber mill waste.

Finally, while Glulam makes inroads with bridges and CLT is a game changer in residential towers, the Massachusetts Concrete industry says costs and nostalgia are not reasons enough to boost building with wood.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Sabotage or strategy — that is the question being asked after the US shocked Canada and Mexico with its NAFTA demands; including proposals that would de-fang the dispute settlement mechanism. Meanwhile, the end-of-NAFTA jitters sent lumber futures soaring, BC’s Trade Envoy said it doesn’t have to be an economic catastrophe and Canada lobbied Oregon on the importance of lumber trade.

In other Business news:

• The US timber industry is failing to invest in research and development
• OSB prices spike as lumber increases ‘tap the breaks’
• Irving constitutional challenge a threat to pollution rules
• BC log exporter sues Chinese owned supplier over bad shipment

With the death toll at 40, California firefighters continue to struggle with several massive fires. Related headlines include: California forests are too dense and dying; instead of fighting them, we should let forests burn; and US states struggle to pay spiralling costs. Elsewhere, an Arizona conservation group adopts a plan to thin forests and Oregon researchers say a shift in public mindset may be the step towards more effective management. 

Finally, the BC Forest Practices Board reports mixed results on steep slope road building; BC recognizes first responders with post-fire award; and a University of Georgia study says biomass energy is not feasible in the US.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Climate and wildfire – the headlines speak for themselves:

• The California wildfire is a disaster that’s anything but natural
• Why the North American west is on fire (The Economist)
• The awful math that makes fighting wildfires more expensive every year
• Arctic on Fire
• There’s a way to reduce the wildfire toll. We won’t like it
• BC government urged to act now to prevent firestorm in 2018

On the First Nations front: the Driftpile Cree Nation will operate part of Tolko’s High Prairie OSB plant; the Lac Seul First Nation is looking to expand into value-added wood manufacturing in Ontario, The BC Assembly of First Nations elected professional forester Terry Teegee as Regional Chief; and Coast Forest spokesman Rick Jeffery speaks about on the “path to reconciliation” and how the coastal forest industry is increasing participation of Indigenous peoples.

Finally, the future of mass timber is nearly unlimited and sexy, unless you’re from the concrete industry and then it’s “unsafe”. 

Are you superstitious – it’s Friday the 13th.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

With round four of the NAFTA talks underway and deal-breakers such as the dispute-resolution panels on the agenda, Trudeau and Trump suggest failure is possible and that a separate two-country deal may need to be pursued. 

BC’s Chief Forester has reduced the AAC in Prince George (by 33%) after years of higher cuts to salvage beetle killed timber; killer wildfires continue to rage in California wine country; authorities say 95% of California’s fires are started by people; US researchers study climate influences on wildfire frequency; and 2017 is already shaping up to be the worst fire year in Brazil. 

Northwestern Ontario is learning how it can play a pivotal role in the emerging biomass industry from Finland where incentives are provided to encourage the switch from oil to wood. Meanwhile, opposition groups speak out against biomass in western Massachusetts. 

Finally, proof positive that you can’t keep a good story down, more on BC’s forestry jobs report and the world’s tallest wood building.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor