After four years of curtailed operations, Neucel Specialty Cellulose laid off its remaining BC employees–Minister Donaldson offers his regrets, Mayor says unlikely the mill will open again. In other Business news: an Alberta sawmill speaks out on carbon taxes; US cabinet manufacturers on tariffs and duties; and Pacific Gas and Electric says it likely caused the devastating Camp Fire in California. In company news: Coulson Aviation and US Lumber expand, Northern Pulp is criticized and Western Forest Products adds to their board.

In other news: an update from NRCan’s Deforestation Monitoring Group; wildfire season comes early to Alberta; the US Northwest Forest Plan fails to reverse declining bird populations; and mass timber is touted as a means to reduce Canada’s CO2 emissions, and as a cost effective way to meet Vancouver’s housing needs.

Finally, tree rings help Pacific Northwest scientists date earthquakes back to 400 AD.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor