Category Archives: Today’s Takeaway

Health Canada has been ordered to reassess the health risks of glyphosate amid evidence of evaluated risks. In related news: a New Brunswick professor says tree diversity is key; an Ohio professor links forest ecology to wildfires; Trump’s layoffs may raise the risk of wildfires; and Sweden looks to emission-free workplaces in forestry. Meanwhile: Trump’s cuts may impact building safety research; Vancouver opposes code change allowing single-staircase egress; and the latest news from FSC Canada.

In Business news: Canada’s business leaders want Ottawa to fight tariffs with tariffs; BC’s forest minister says US tariffs will be devastating; City of Hinton supports Alberta Forest Products Association’s advocacy plan; and Canadian and US builders brace for layoffs and tougher times. Meanwhile: Mercer and Boise Cascade report Q4, 2024 earnings.

Finally, can Canada challenge the tariffs, and how might the impacts vary by product and city?

Finally (again), a special thanks to everyone who complete our survey. And for those who haven’t – the deadline is today!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

Trump adds lumber to his list of potential tariffs on Canada—coming in early April. In related news: BC vows to cut red tape for resource and energy projects; Canadian perceptions of the US are changing; and the US Dept of Commerce is set to announce new anti-dumping duty rates.  In other Business news: BC Forest Appeals Commission upholds Interfor logging fine; West Fraser UK mill fined for safety violations; Weyerhaeuser’s Columbia Falls MDF plant is rocked by fire; and Cascades and Goodfellow report Q4, 2024 results.

In Forestry/Climate news: Los Angeles wildfires are a funding warning for Canada; BC supports California despite cross-border uncertainty; all 6 spotted owls released in the Fraser Canyon have died; Washington state defends pause on logging old-growth; ENGOs file lawsuit to protect Montana elk habitat; and a handful of stories on the cuts to US Forest Service personnel.

Finally, Brian Luoma, Chair of the Softwood Lumber Board reflects on SLB’s impact.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

US builder confidence fell sharply in February over tariff and housing cost concerns. In related news: US housing starts dropped 9.8% in January; lumber futures are surging; and lumber prices are expected to continue to rise. In related news: US high-sticking on trade is nothing new; the US Lumber Coalition lobbies for more restrictions on Canada; BC’s Atlantic Power plant may not have to close; Kruger gets support from Corner Brook mayor; and Louisiana Pacific and Bluelinx report Q4, 2024 earnings.

In Forestry news: ENGOs pan private forest laws in BC; US effort to secure EU deforestation exemption continues; a US nature report may be published despite Trump’s order; Oregon’s governor wants to pause action on wildfire hazard map; and more fallout from the US Forest Service worker firings in North Carolina; Colorado, Montana and Idaho.

Finally, lessons learned from the California fires – who will bear the $250 billion burden.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

The US pulp and paper industry is seeking an exemption from EU deforestation rules. In related news: Trump’s reciprocal tariffs overturn decades of trade policy; US tariffs loom over Ontario’s election and BC’s legislature; and BC forest minister Ravi Parmar builds ties with California builders, says softwood duties could reach 55%. In other Business news: a Williams Lake biomass power plant is on verge of shutdown; BioNorth Energy gets support from Forest Enhancement Society of BC; and Newfoundland props up Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill.

In Forestry news: thousands of US Forest Service layoffs hit US Parks and Forest Service workers hard; a new study says tree-ring data shows North American wildfire activity has declined; climate change is causing US West tree ranges to contract; Indiana’s Governor urges changes to Hoosier National Forests logging plan; and Texas awarded ~$1M to landowners for prescribed fires. 

Finally, it was the deadliest workplace in America. So why didn’t safety regulators shut it down?

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

Citing reduced packaging demand, International Paper announced it is closing four eastern US plants. In related news: Sylvamo upgrades two South Carolina paper mills; Kruger diversifies its Wayagamack, Quebec paper mill; San Group owners speak to their company’s downfall; and Interfor and Western Forest Products report Q4 losses. Meanwhile: Trump’s tariffs put upward pressure on lumber and housing prices; and HBS Dealer readers comment on whether the tariffs are needed.

In other news: Trump’s downsizing push reduces wildfire mitigation monies—eliminates 3,400 US Forest Service jobs; Canada and New Brunswick invest in wildfire equipment; Parks Canada ramps up plans for wildfire mitigation; Alabama bills would allow heavier truck traffic; and Boston University unveils design for new tall timber tower.

Finally, we’re gearing up to make improvements to the Tree Frog News. Last call to tell us what you think by completing our short survey!

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

President Trump signalled the announcement of reciprocal tariffs, as fallout rises from Monday’s steel and aluminum tariffs. In related news: Canada’s forest industry fears it will be next; West Fraser says tariffs mean uncertainty; and US and Canadian homebuilders say their costs will rise. In other Business news: New Brunwsick timber firms win right to appeal major Aboriginal title case; Georgia Pacific invests in its South Carolina plywood mill; and West Fraser Timber and Smurfit Westrock report Q4, 2024 results.

In Forestry/Climate news: Canada recommits to cut emissions under the Paris Agreement; SFI helps landowners with wildfire resilience; Domtar funds Indigenous-led conservation in Canada; progress is reported on First Nations reconciliation in Northern Ontario; and Vancouver faces another legal challenge over tree removal in Stanley Park.

Finally, a Valentine’s Day owl-fundraiser that uses rats named after old flames.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

RISI says lumber price volatility will increase in 2025 due to tightening conditions, duties and policy uncertainty. In related news: Do it Best CEO says tariff impact will be immediate; experts factcheck Trump on US lumber dependance; and tariffs are said to add to Canadian and US housing cost uncertainty. Meanwhile: Canada’s 13 premiers are in Washington DC to push back on tariffs; BC’s Eby says trade war has no winner; and BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick industry groups speak out. In other Business news: Spearhead Inc. wants to produce glulam in Nelson, BC; and BC-based Atli Resources appoints Johathan Lok as CEO.

In other news: BC Forest Practices Board says Interfor properly managed whitebark pine; a new study says Colorado forests are now a carbon source; and Oregon senators want firefighters to be exempt from the USDA hiring freeze. Meanwhile: US lawmakers introduce; the Forest Data Modernization Act, the Future Logging Careers Act, and a Wildfire Research Institute Act. 

Finally, February is Friends and Sponsors month at the Tree Frog News. We are delighted to welcome back our many supporters and at the same time invite others to help keep our service running and the subscriptions free and open . If you’d like to know more, please email sandy@treefrogcreative.ca for details. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News

Despite pushback from friends and foes, Trump reintroduces tariffs on steel and aluminum. In related tariff news: Trudeau says Canada will respond; safety experts worry about distractions; the Hardwood Lumber Association supports free trade; the US Lumber Coalition wants fewer imports; and US Homebuilders speak to the positive and negative effects. In other Business news: Acadian Timber acquires a Maine harvesting operation; and Western Forest Products announces completion of private land sale.

In Forestry news: CN and Tree Canada announce tree planting grants; Canada Forest Trust partners to plant trees; New York launches Tree Tracker for climate change; Alberta encourages more wildfire mitigation work; and Washington state kicks off wildfire prevention efforts. Meanwhile: Wadood Hamad is TAPPI’s 2025 Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award winner; Joel Hambright receives Texas A&M University Award; and FPAC opens applications for its Innovation in Forestry Awards program.

Finally, the Asian longhorned beetle has a new foe: Labrador retrievers.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor