Canada and Europe will continue to play crucial role in meeting US wood demand—as Washington state wonders if boosting timber production can counter tariffs. In related news: tariff uncertainty keeps Canadian home buyers on the sidelines despite a rise in building construction; while US housing starts surged 11.2% last month and falling permits signal a slowdown; and here’s what building homes on federal land in the US would look like. Meanwhile, good news for India and New Zealand in timber and lumber trade; and a new global platform for recycled wood.

In Forestry/Climate news: almost half of landslides in southwestern BC have been linked to logging or wildfires as the forest fire season gets underway; Arkansas asks EU leaders to reconsider deforestation regulation; the Northwest Forest Plan revision aims to solve multiple issues; and the US Forest Service remains silent on firings. Meanwhile: dozens of wildfires burn across Missouri and Kansas; and Southwest Idaho targets high wildfire risk; and it’s time to guard against pine beetles.

Finally, an alternative to wood caskets comes from an invasive vine in Australia.

Suzi Hopkinson, Tree Frog News Editor