Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

Canadian officials are adopting a different tone on Trump’s tariff threat. In related news: TD Economics sets the record straight on Canada-US trade; the Oilpatch thought it had dodged a bullet; the Union of BC Indian Chiefs says it’s time to revisit the Northern Gateway pipeline; and BC and Nova Scotia worry about impacts. Meanwhile: Alaska’s leaders cheer Trump’s move on logging, while Oregon braces for impacts on federal land.

In Forestry/Climate news: the USDA announced its new leadership team; Washington state’s land commissioner pauses timber sales; ENGOs call on BC to protect caribou habitat; why Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement is different this time; and Korea plans to reduce biomass energy subsidies. 

Finally, the summary of the final day from the TLA Convention includes the CEO panel (just in case, here are summaries from Day 1 & Day 2).

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

From the TLA Convention: Premier David Eby quantifies the potential impact of Trump’s tariffs, considers reforms to BC’s forest sector; and Russ Taylor and Don Wright advise attendees on how to improve BC’s forest investment climate. In related news: COFI’s Kurt Niquidet discusses the tariff challenge; San Group’s Port Alberni mills are up for sale; Quebec’s Commonwealth Plywood remains open for now; and more on the value-add mills getting BC funding. Meanwhile: US housing starts surged 16% in December; and US homebuilder and remodeller confidence ticks up.

In Forestry/Climate news: the US Forest Service adopts new substance abuse rules; new US assessments of climate change’s impact on east coast and west coast forests; Washington’s new land commissioner orders pause on some old-growth logging; and Finish forests were a GHG source in 2023.

Finally, entombed whitebark pines in Wyoming become visible after 5,900 years.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

BC announced support for the forest-sector with $5.1 million for valued-added manufacturing. In related news: BC Timber Sales is being reviewed; lumber prices hit a 6-week high; and the US housing market moderates amid higher energy costs. Meanwhile, Canadian premiers say nothing is off the table in response to US tariff threats; and the world’s 4th largest global forestry fund secures new investors.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: a much needed break for the wildfires in California; students can enrol in BC’s first wildfire studies program; Alaskan bears become internet sensations; the costs of Hurricane Helene are totalled; and the best places to plant 2 billion trees are probably not where you think they are.

Finally, why US National Park advisors make sequoias look like ‘giant baked potatoes’.

Suzanne Hopkinson, Tree Frog Editor

Canadian leaders are meeting today to discuss the US tariff threat and how to respond to it. In related news: Quebec’s Premier says US tariffs would be self-inflicted harm; Alberta is warned to prepare for the worst; small business says their costs will rise; Canadian industry and labour form a trade council; Tom Fletcher asks if it time to revive the Northern Gateway pipeline; and Vaughn Palmer opines on the timing of BC’s forest policy review. Meanwhile: Montana seeks to reboot its timber industry; and Maine funds a forest bioproducts hub.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Canada invests in wildfire-affected areas of Ontario; ENGO’s say BC gets a failing grade on climate mitigation; California downplays forest management’s ability to prevent Los Angeles fires; California researchers are awarded grant for forest mapping; California braces for more windy weather; Coulson Aviation releases cockpit video of fire fight; and more on what makes urban wildfire smoke so toxic.

Finally, Oregon’s 300-foot, Douglas-fir and larch smiley face is ‘in senescence’.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Canada’s ambassador to the US says Canada is ready to buy more from the US, but will retaliate if tariffs are imposed. In related news: former prime minister Harper has a problem with Trump’s rhetoric; Premier Eby says BC is prepared; and team Trump considers gradual tariff hikes. In other Business news: recent innovations in pulp and paper; Tolko appoints Rhys Thompson VP Sales, Marketing & Logistics; and the University of New Brunswick’s John Kershaw is honoured.

In Forestry news:  Parks Canada and Alberta work to reduce wildfire risk; BC announces wildfire resiliency summit; why it matters that Oregon lost its Chief Forester; Washington state protects private forest land; and Shell and Microsoft are big buyers of carbon credits. In Wildfire news: high winds return and threaten California; why some houses burn while others survive; and the pros and cons of saltwater and chemical fire retardants.

Finally, nominations are open for BC Forest Safety Council Awards, and the TLA Convention kicks-off tomorrow.

Kelly McCloskey, Editor, Tree Frog News

The Canadian lumber industry looks to be taking action as market chaos looms from proposed tariffs. In related news: Canada and BC prepare for tariffs, as Trump claims he needs nothing from Canada; David Frum says something dangerous is brewing; and the Economist notes that Canada and the US have been fighting over timber for 40 years. In other Business news: Interfor completes divestiture of Quebec operations; West Fraser extinguishes silo fire in BC; unions fight over New Brunswick mill workers; and Australian Forest and Wood Innovations has a new Executive Director.

In Wildfire news: Los Angeles is on high alert as extreme winds return; Canadian firefighters from British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario deploy to California (as do firefighters from Texas); the unique dangers of urban wildfire smoke; and a debate over prescribed burning breaks out in Australia. Meanwhile: despite wildfires—BC’s tree planting is set to plummet.

Finally, Nanaimo leads Canada in loss of sub-zero winter days.

Kelly McCloskey, Editor, Tree Frog News

Economists say Trump’s tariff rational is based on bad math, as Trudeau and US builders warn of higher costs. In related news: the not-so-secret way around US tariffs on kitchen cabinets. In other Business news: Canada invests in Ontario First Nations bioenergy project;  Smurfit Westrock launches sustainable paper pallet wrap; US job growth surges as unemployment falls; comparing wood and concrete construction costs; Fastmarkets highlights Q1 trends for softwood lumber.

In Wildfire news: California partners with feds for rapid response to fires; Coulson Aviation reports live from fire front; and Alaska and Alberta help with helicopters and water bombers. In Forestry news: Oregon pushes back on US plan to kill barred owls; an Ecojustice study points to pesticide risks as Canada’s use soars; and time is short for BC to meet its 30×30 conservation target.

Finally, Oregon’s State Forester Cal Mukumoto surprises with letter of resignation.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

The Biden administration officially jettisons effort to protect old-growth forests – Here’s why. The move is supported by Republican Senators and industry, and now environmental groups are holding out for the update to the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan. All groups agree that shelving the proposal was the best option.

In Forestry news: While British Columbia faces 7 big environmental decisions this year, today it is all about water – a lawsuit look to protect licensing rights in the Shuswap; a First Nation on Vancouver Island sues for repeated flooding; and a private timber company sells it’s working forest to the Capital Regional District to help protect water supply.

In Business news: worry and disbelief surround tariff rhetoric; a second US port strike is avoided; and Oregon approves a key permit for the biofuels industry. In Canada, $2.5 million is secured for a biofuel refinery in Ontario; and a perfect t-shirt from lumber is developing.

In wildfire news: how climate change is fuelling the Southern California fires in January,  Canadian firefighting equipment is in Los Angeles; and the health risks of wildfire smoke continue to grow.

Finally, a look back at Jimmy Carter and the sad saga of a 9-ton Northern California peanut.

Suzanne Hopkinson, Tree Frog Editor

President-elect Trump threatened ‘economic force‘ to annex Canada, says ‘US doesn’t need their cars, lumber and milk’. In related news: US tariffs could cost Washington state billions; and how Canada could push back via USMCA’s dispute mechanism; and by removing interprovincial trade barriers. In other Business news: Port Hawkesbury Paper secures its energy needs with a wind farm; Bob Brash says BC needs a vibrant forest sector; and SFI celebrates 30th anniversary in 2025.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: given headwinds—US Forest Service Chief withdraws National Old Growth plan; Oregon publishes an updated wildlife hazard map; fire weather is hitting Canada’s North hardest; Alberta and BC are still grappling with zombie wildfires; out of control wildfires force Los Angeles homeowners to flee; and global deforestation rates have declined despite pressures.

Finally, the US Softwood Lumber Board’s Mass Timber Schools Competition closes on Monday.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

A report in Nature Ecology & Evolution says forests are more resilient to climate change than previously thought. In related news: Reuters says the world’s forests appear to be struggling; Wagner Forest Management considers sale of Ontario timberlands for carbon offsets; and New Hampshire’s carbon credit program seeks to quantify uncut forests. In other Forestry news: an Oregon ENGO encourages old growth protection; a new film on fire’s role in BC’s Interior; and MP Kevin Holland speaks out on Ontario’s forestry future. 

In Business news: Trudeau’s resignation spurs tariff talk on both sides of the border; a South Carolina professor says US consumers will pay for lumber tariffs; Russ Taylor’s mixed-blessing on the 2025 lumber market; Builders FirstSource acquires Alpine Lumber; Rona agrees to sell truss plant for All-Fab Group acquisition; and Snavely promotes Bill Georgelis to VP, Eastern Operations. 

Finally, North America’s first all mass timber acute care hospital breaks ground in Ontario.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Reuters reports that Trump is denying a Washington Post story that his team is eyeing pared-back tariffs. In other Business news: the American Bar Association focuses on lumber mill closures; Ontario allows 18-storey timber towers; and unsold new single-family homes skyrocket in the US. Meanwhile: the BC Institute of Technology offers new programs to advance lumber careers.

In Forestry news: Biden to designate national monument near Mt. Shasta, California; US Rep Doug LaMalfa introduces wildfire risk reduction bill; Maine looks to New Brunswick in battle with spruce budworm; 2024 was BC’s fourth worst wildfire season; BC extends its marbled murrelet monitoring program; and PEI plans to plant 2 billion trees.

Finally, for 40 million years, this tree species has been switching genders every season.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Irving Forest Products acquires Masardis sawmill in Maine, and Conifex Timber moves to a two-shift operation. In related news: Allegheny Wood Products is still selling its assets; Twin Rivers Paper appoints Tyler Rajeski CEO; and US mortgage rates tick up, as Trump’s agenda is feared to be bad for growth. In Wood Product news: mass timber shines in Ottawa, Los Angeles, and Paris, forest-based biomass is promoted in Ireland; and bamboo and poppy-straw make inroads. 

In Forestry/Climate news news: President Biden plans to designate two new national monuments in California; a new study says Canada is primed for more wildfires; and ENGOs say politicians are spreading climate misinformation.

Finally, why is the self-proclaimed “First US Carbon-Positive Hotel” built out of concrete.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor

Trump’s tariffs said to threaten energy exports on both sides of the border. In related news: US softwood lumber duties are expected to double in late 2025; BC’s Minister of Forests toured Western Forest Products’ Ladysmith mill; Mercer Peace River reaches safety milestone, and Rayonier announced a carbon capture and storage agreement. Meanwhile: the USDA unveils support for wood processors, appoints new Paper and Packaging board members; Coburg Tree Farm is named US Tree Farmer of the Year; and the Calforests appoints Liz Berger VP of Climate and Energy.

In Forestry/Climate news: BC’s NDP government isn’t the climate leader its cracked up to be; Washington can safeguard its forests and advance renewable energy; BC reflects on its 2024’s wildfire season; Oregon’s funding doesn’t support today’s wildfire needs; and Australia’s heat wave leads to wildfire warnings.

Finally, how to build more homes quicker, and reduce construction waste in landfills.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor