Citing profitability challenges, West Fraser to indefinitely curtail its Perry, Florida sawmill. In related news: Aspen Planers in Merritt, BC remains closed; Kamps Pallets completes acquisition of John Rock Inc; and Paper Excellence donates to the Canadian Red Cross. On the Market front: US housing outlook remains grim despite improvement in homebuyer sentiment; and wood pellet exports and printing-writing paper shipments decreased in November.
In Forestry/Climate news: US legislation seeks to improve forest collaboration with private landowners; Premier Eby to address BC Natural Resources Forum; an old-growth rally is planned for Victoria, BC; forest buffers help manage water in North Carolina; and researchers say climate change is a key driver in dead plant decomposition.
Finally, the USDA announces Paper & Packaging and Christmas Tree Promotion board appointments; and Jessica Gurevitch is the new head of Forestry at Purdue College.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Richmond, BC – Paper Excellence Canada announced today it has donated $50,000 to the Canadian Red Cross. A majority of the donation will support ongoing emergency management operations in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, while a donation of $20,000 was made earlier this fall to Nova Scotia Red Cross in response to Hurricane Fiona. Paper Excellence Canada currently has operations in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia. …Since 2021, Paper Excellence Canada has supported communities across Canada with over $1.7 million in community donations and community investment initiatives, including large donations to Pacific Salmon Foundation, Take A Hike Foundation, INDSPIRE, Vancouver Island University, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and more.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of three members to serve on the Christmas Tree Promotion Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms beginning immediately, to Dec. 31, 2025. Members appointed or reappointed are:
The U.S. exported 694,199.7 metric tons of wood pellets in November, down from 750,989.2 metric tons in October and 764,259.6 metric tons in November 2021, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Jan. 5. The U.S. exported wood pellets to approximately 17 countries in November. The U.K. was the top destination at 442,194.8 metric tons, followed by the Netherlands at 143,207.2 metric tons and Japan at 54,844 metric tons. The value of U.S. wood pellet exports was at $120.94 million in November, down from $132.21 million the previous month, but up from $102.06 million in November 2021. Total U.S. wood pellet exports for the first 11 months of 2022 reached 8.06 million metric tons at a value of $1.39 billion, compared to 6.65 million metric tons exported during the same period of 2021 at a value of $949.99 million. [END]
South Korea’s economy grew at its slowest pace in a year in Q3 as poor net exports offset consumption and investment. …OECD cuts South Korea’s 2023 growth outlook to 2.2% from earlier forecast of 2.8%, citing uncertainties in the global economy.
On March 1, 2023 join Wood Preservation Canada in Ottawa and learn more about the pressure treatment process, the importance of proper specification and wood durability. Registrants will receive a 10% discount on the CSA O80 Standard for Wood Preservation. Craig Wilson will introduce pesticide regulations in Canada and talk about the various applications for residential and non-residential products. Craig will also explore the pressure treatment process and speak to the governing standard, CSA O80 Series 21 for wood preservation. Justin Lesparance will show examples to stress the importance of proper specification for treated wood products and discuss best practices for using pressure treated wood with real-life examples of wood project restorations and construction. Dr. Dan Tingley will introduce timber durability and the application and treatment of various wood species for pressure treatment applications. Dan will showcase examples of successful pressure treated wood applications and speak to their success and lessons learned.
More than 160 organizations have signed a declaration demanding B.C. take faster action to protect the province’s remaining old-growth forests. The document calls on Premier David Eby to fulfill commitments on old growth, pushing for “immediate action to stop logging” of these areas. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, municipal leaders, and the BC General Employees Union are among those who’ve signed on “Today, and every day, we, the undersigned, stand together in an unprecedented show of unity amongst working people, Indigenous land stewards and knowledge-keepers, activists, scientists, youth, educators, communities, celebrities, environmental and social justice groups, faith organizations and more. Standing united against the destruction of old growth forests. Standing strong for future generations,” the declaration reads, in part. The groups have announced a rally set for Feb. 25 at the Legislature in Victoria, marking Eby’s 100th day as premier.
New research out of the University of Copenhagen marks some major changes in how to account for tree carbon stocks [in Rwanda]. And these changes could lead to significant improvements in climate mitigation strategies. 