The American General Contractors have joined US homebuilders in urging White House intervention on lumber prices. In related news: high demand is keeping softwood prices high, while US tree growers claim they have gained nothing in the process; US consumer confidence trends up; and forest product manufacturing is off to a strong start. Meanwhile, news on: Resolute, Thunder Bay (effluent discharge); Go Labs, Maine (mill equipment); and New’s Zealand’s wave of mill closures.

In Forestry news: new research on climate impacts on forest seed production; how the forest sector can help mitigate GHG emissions;  Tom Vilsack is confirmed as agriculture secretary (again); and West Virginia’s senators announce funding for habitat protection.

Finally, Europe’s forest vulnerability, Germany’s beetle challenge and Ireland’s timber crisis.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor