With the purchase of Kenora Forest Products, Itasca Capital added timber experts Rick Doman and Paul Rivett to its board. In other Business news: Canfor’s Vavenby mill is sold; a US lawmaker says Canadians threaten Maine logging jobs; Moody’s global paper & packaging outlook is positive, US Timber REITs are on fire; and dealers anticipate lumber prices to decline.

In Forestry news: BC’s Forest Practices Board says regenerating interior Douglas-fir forest a challenge; a series of marches to protect BC old-growth;  Ontario adds to Canadian support for US firefighting; it’s California’s worst fires season ever (again); and heavy rain should bring fire/smoke relief. In other news: BC student housing and condo tower proposals proof that mass timber is ready for prime time. 

Finally, with lumber prices up 170%, what’s happening with wood substitutes?

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor