Residential construction continues to drive job growth in Canada and the US, and the surge in advanced home purchases bodes well for the future. In other Business news: BC’s new forest minister adds to trend of women at the helm; logging contractors in BC’s Interior report mounting difficulties; Australia sounds alarm on Chinese trade restrictions; US sets duty rates for Chinese hardwood plywood; and US LUMBER acquires Mid-State Lumber.

In Forestry news: Colorado looks to logging to help re-balance its forests; California expands research on critical forest fire issues; California-based Humboldt Sawmill to participate in European Carbon market; and Greece launches a massive reforestation program.

Finally, Western Forest Products’ Christmas cheer; Nannas unite to save native forests, and the harmony of hemlocks and humans. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor