Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

Despite market headwinds, West Fraser Timber reported positive Q1, 2025 earnings of $42 million. In other Business news: Ohio-based Pixelle paused its paper mill closure plan; pushback on New Brunswick’s pulp & paper power subsidies, and a Eugene wood treatment plant CEO faces prison. Meanwhile, US lumber duties point to gloomy days for BC’s West Coast; a nuanced look at US-Canada lumber trade; and Trump looks to deescalate his trade war with China.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: Canfor passes BC Forest Practices Board audit—with accolades; ENGOs say Ontario Bill 5 will weaken species protection; BC’s Northeast faces drought conditions; a New Jersey wildfire begets State of emergency; Idaho ramps up its forest management; New Mexico’s tree mortality doubles; Oregon looks to increase prescribed burns; and a Tucson judge upholds the Grey Wolf Recovery program.

Finally, FSC’s Leadership Award nominations are now open for projects in Canada and the US.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

New Zealand, Canada, and even England look to innovative wood-frame building solutions in the housing market. In related news: tariff uncertainty dominates the construction industry; the BC Lumber Trade Council warns of soaring costs; New Hampshire sees issues already; and BC and Canada feel the impacts of a global trade war.

In Forestry news: David Elstone gets to the heart of the BC Timber Sales review; Port Alberni finalizes it’s waterfront deal; a pilot project for automated firefighting with drones; spring flooding still a concern in BC; reconciliation at the heart of a BC Supreme Court decision in Haida Gwaii; FSC responds to Swedish firm’s decision to self-terminate its certification; Michigan prepares to battle bark beetles; and NASA collaborates with the forestry team in Fort Stewart.

Finally, would you wear wood? Low carbon adventure shirts hit the market.

Hoppy Easter. See you Tuesday.

Suzanne Hopkinson, Tree Frog News Editor

Growing uncertainty stemming from Trump’s tariffs keep US builder sentiment in negative territory. In related news: reports on the tariff cost and tax hit by industry sector; Fannie Mae says US home prices will moderate; and Canada holds its interest rate steady. In other Business news: Pixelle is closing its paper mill in Chillicothe, Ohio; Sweden’s forest industry is struggling; Russia anticipates growth; and the latest from BC Wood, TimberWest Magazine and the Montreal Wood Convention.

In Forestry news: the Tyee opines on the Canadian election and BC forest workers; the outlook for Michigan’s ice-storm impacted forests; saving eastern oak forests will require more burning; three fire parameters that lead to safer and cleaner burns; and more on Trump’s push to solve wildfires by expanding logging.

Finally, University of BC’s ‘wood-detective’ tunes into sustainably grown guitars.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor

International Paper to divest 5 European corrugated box plants as required per its DS Smith acquisition. In other Business news: tariffs may trip-up Godfrey Wood Products’ new OSB mill in Maine; Jasper Lumber’s Alabama sawmill upgrade nears completion; Unifor calls for a Team Canada approach on duties; Adera Development says trade war could boost mass-timber; BC’s Forest Minister says US customers are afraid to protest; and how Vanderhoof, BC is faring after its sawmill closed. Meanwhile: Canada’s housing starts fell in March, and a new report on Canada’s housing crisis.

In Forestry/Wildfire news: the European Space agency is launching a new biomass satellite; Clemson University awards honour forestry accomplishments; University of West Alabama expands its forestry program; BC’s firefighters gather to train; Wisconsin sees records start to wildfire season; California ups investments in wildfire prevention; Eastern White Pine is at risk in the US East; and US logging order sparks fear in the US Southeast.

Finally, research on the value of tropical forests as natural factories of plant chemicals.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

Trump wants to create a new federal agency that will be responsible for wildland fire fighting nationwide. In related news: preventing a wildfire catastrophe in Alberta’s Bow Valley; BC prepares for its wildfire season, as Forest Minister says BC Timber Sales can help restore BC’s forests; ENGOs say BC old-growth is worth billions; mixed reviews for US plan to increase logging in California, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin; and an Idaho judge halts logging to protect grizzly habitat. 

In Business news: the US Lumber Coalition says Canadian violations of US trade law are an attack on US workers; how companies like Brink Forest Products and the Groman Group are gapping with US tariffs; saving BC forestry will take radical thinking; and the EU pulp & paper industry weighs in on US tariffs. In Market news: US Consumer sentiment fell for the 4th straight month; and US homebuilders fear cost increases.

Finally, Can fungi fight fires? This Alberta town plans to find out.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor