Australian timber industry news

Every dollar spent on forest fuel treatments saves about US$3.75 in wildfire damages, according to a new study, led by researchers at the University of California, of nearly 300 fires in the western United States. Source: Timberbiz The study estimated that the treatments, such as forest thinning and prescribed burns, prevented US$2.8 billion in losses, reduced wildfire spread and fire severity. The researchers analysed the nearly 300 wildfires that intersected USDA Forest Service fuel reduction treatments in 11 states between 2017 and 2023. The study is the first to evaluate the economic value of Forest Service fuel treatments across the West at a large-scale using data from wildfires that encountered fuel treatments rather than relying on wildfire simulation models. It was published in Science. “Fuel treatments and forest management are critically underfunded public goods,” said lead author Frederik Strabo, a postdoctoral scholar with the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. “Our results suggest that when fewer resources are available to agencies like the Forest Service, more of the economic burden of wildfires falls on the public.” The researchers measured wildfire damages including structure losses, carbon emissions and the health impacts of exposure to fine particulate matter. As climate change has intensified wildfires in recent decades, those damages are estimated to total US$185 billion to US$540 billion a year. Researchers compared how fires behaved when they spread into treated areas versus untreated forests, accounting for predictable patterns of fire spread using fire-simulation modelling, while controlling for weather conditions and suppression efforts. Fires were more than 13 percentage points less likely to continue spreading after reaching a treatment area. Treatments were especially effective at reducing high-severity fire — those that kill more than 75% of the tree canopy — lowering burned area by 20% to 35%. Prescribed burning was significantly more effective than mechanical thinning alone at limiting wildfire spread. Treatment size also mattered: landscape-scale treatments larger than 2,400 acres were the most effective at reducing wildfire spread. Across the fires studied, fuel treatments reduced total burned area by 36%, or about 152,000 acres, relative to a scenario without treatments. They also prevented the loss of more than 4,000 buildings, avoided the release of 2.7 million tons of CO2, reduced 25,757 tons of fine particle pollution and prevented an estimated 59 premature deaths. Together, these avoided damages totalled about US$2.8 billion, including: US$895 million from avoided structure loss US$503 million from reduced CO2 emissions US$1.39 billion from avoided health impacts and productivity losses linked to smoke pollution Strabo said the findings underscore the importance of investing more in preventive forest management. “Wildfire policy has historically focused on suppression, but our results suggest greater investment in prevention could substantially reduce wildfire damages,” said Strabo. “That will become even more important as the climate continues to change and forests face more large wildfires and other disturbances.” The research was supported by the Giannini Foundation for Agricultural Economics and the USDA Forest Service. Other authors include Matthew N. Reimer with UC Davis and Calvin Bryan with the Department of Economics at Washington and Lee University.  

The post Every dollar spent on forest fuel reduction saves money and livelihoods appeared first on Timberbiz.

Stora Enso has announced that Bergslagets Skogar is the new name of its Swedish forest asset company. The announcement marks an important step in Stora Enso’s preparations to separate its Swedish forest assets into a standalone listed company, subject to relevant approvals. Source: Timberbiz Bergslagets Skogar represents Stora Enso’s Swedish forest asset entity, comprising long term, sustainably managed forest land with a history of active ownership extending back to year 1288. The name reflects both the historical footprints in the old Copper Mine in Falun and a long-term approach to value creation, where planning horizons extend across generations. “Forest land is a long-term asset class where value is generated through biological growth and sustainable forest management. Bergslagets Skogar reflects our ambition to manage our assets with a clear focus on long-term value creation and operational excellence,” said Tuomas Hallenberg, CEO of the new forest company. Stora Enso is preparing to separate its Swedish forest assets into a new publicly listed company, with completion expected in the first half of 2027. Following the separation, Bergslagets Skogar would comprise more than 1.2 million hectares of forest land in prime locations in Sweden and emerge as Europe’s largest listed pure play forest company, offering investors exposure to forest assets as a distinct asset class. The planned separation is intended to unlock the full value of both Stora Enso’s forest assets and its renewable packaging business, enabling each company to pursue a clearly defined strategy and capital allocation framework. Bergslagets Skogar would generate value through biological growth, operational excellence, efficient forest management, and additional revenue streams linked to sustainable land use. Long term wood supply agreements with Stora Enso are planned to provide predictable demand while maintaining flexibility for both companies.

The post Bergslagets Skogar the new name for Stora Enso’s forest company appeared first on Timberbiz.

Kodiak AI is a leading provider of physical AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology, and the company announced it will conduct pilot operations and explore the deployment of trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s AI-powered autonomous driving system, at West Fraser Timber’s log-hauling operations in Alberta, Canada. Source: Timberbiz In the initial phase of work, Kodiak will pilot the use of its self-driving technology to transport timber from forest sites to one of West Fraser’s Alberta processing facilities in Western Canada later this year. Results of the pilot will be used to inform any future long-term deployment of Kodiak Driver-equipped trucks for commercial driverless operations. This work marks a significant milestone for Kodiak, representing the company’s expansion into the timber industry, as well as its first international operations. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with operations in Canada, the United States, and Europe, West Fraser is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood building materials. Logging truck routes often involve challenging, remote resource roads with uneven and rough terrain. By leveraging the Kodiak Driver, West Fraser aims to improve the safety of its logging transport operations, address the industry-wide shortage of drivers, and increase the consistency of its raw material supply to mills. “Innovation that improves safety and sustainability has long been central to how West Fraser operates,” said Mark Cookson, Woods Operations Manager, West Fraser. “This pilot gives us the opportunity to test autonomous technology that can help address driver shortages and enhance safety by reducing human exposure to the risks of remote, rough-terrain resource roads.” The Kodiak Driver is designed to handle the complex variables seen in industrial trucking environments. Kodiak deployed its first driverless technology commercially in West Texas’s Permian Basin in December 2024 and scaled its operations to 20 driverless trucks as of the end of 2025. Its modular technology is built to withstand the dust, vibration, and extreme weather conditions typical in industrial environments, including the oil and gas and forestry sectors. “We built the Kodiak Driver to be the most versatile autonomous system on the market, capable of handling everything from interstate highways to the toughest industrial environments, from arid We st Texas to the forests of Western Canada,” said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO of Kodiak. “Our work with West Fraser is the perfect opportunity to support our expansion into logging, because it is an industry leader with a deep understanding of the logistical complexities of timber. By bringing the benefits of autonomous trucking to the wood products industry, we are demonstrating that our technology can thrive in even the most demanding settings.” FPInnovations, a private non-profit research and development centre, facilitated the collaboration between Kodiak and West Fraser. Supported by federal and provincial governments as well as more than 50 forest-product companies. FPInnovations brings decades of expertise in advancing transportation solutions that address unique challenges of the Canadian forest sector. “This is an important step towards making autonomous transportation in Canada’s forests a reality. The adoption of new key technologies is critical for the Canadian forest sector to remain competitive,” said Christoph Schilling, Program Manager Transportation for FPInnovations. “Deploying these technologies strategically, safely, with real operational purpose and in close collaboration with industry, technology providers and regulators will be crucial for its adoption.”

The post West Fraser Timber will use autonomous vehicles in a trial appeared first on Timberbiz.

The Limestone Coast Technical College in Mount Gambier has officially opened, marking a significant milestone for education and skills development in regional South Australia. Source: Timberbiz Delivered for the South Australian Government’s Department for Education, the new facility has been constructed using NeXTimber Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) for the building’s main structure. The college provides purpose-built learning environments for students, with specialist pathways across agri tech, multi trades, early childhood education, and health and social support. NeXTimber worked closely with the project team to develop a mass timber solution that balanced architectural intent, performance requirements and buildability, demonstrating the capability of locally grown and locally manufactured timber in large scale education projects. Beyond material supply, Timberlink’s partnership with the Limestone Coast Technical College reflects a broader commitment to the region, supporting agri tech and multi trades programs through site tours, work experience opportunities and potential employment pathways for students. The opening of the college represents an important investment in future skills, sustainable construction, and long-term opportunities for the Limestone Coast community.

The post Mt Gambier Tech opens with a milestone appeared first on Timberbiz.

The Australian Frame & Truss Manufacturers Association (FTMA) is holding its national conference on 19 May 2026 and for the first time it includes a trade show. Source: Timberbiz Keeping with this year’s theme ‘At the Crossroads’ the FTMA has put together a program that will focus on the key decisions facing the industry. Topics span: Housing at the Crossroads. Building the Future of Lightweight Timber Framing. Reframing for Growth that Actually Works. Optimisation Lessons for Automation. Market Outlook for the Timber Frame & Truss Sector.   As part of the 2026 FTMA National Conference, there is a dedicated trade expo as a key element of the conference agenda, curating nearly three hours of dedicated networking, demonstration and exhibition time. This will be held at the conclusion of the conference. The trade expo is the first that the FTMA has held and the association says it is the biggest frame and truss-focused trade exposition in Australia, with: 40+ exhibition sites. Live demos. Dedicated mid-conference expo time. Interactive town hall style learning lab led by industry and research leaders.   The 2026 FTMA National Conference & Trade Expo will showcase exhibitors from across its Principal, Strategic, and Supporting Partners – organisations that are leaders in their field, and fundamental to the strength and success of the association. Alongside FTMA’s valued Annual Partners, there is a diverse range of additional conference sponsors to the Trade Expo each bringing specialised expertise and solutions that support the advancement of the frame and truss industry. These organisations will be showcasing products, technologies, and services that are directly relevant to driving efficiency and growth across the sector. Together, they will help create a dynamic experience, offering delegates the opportunity to connect with trusted providers, explore new ideas, and stay at the forefront of industry progress. The event will be held on 19 May at the Novotel on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. More information is at: https://conference.ftmanews.com/

The post FTMA national conference and trade show appeared first on Timberbiz.

As more industrial sites transition to electric plant and equipment, the supporting infrastructure matters just as much as the fleet itself. At Timberlink’s Tarpeena site, the company is constructing a purpose-built battery charging building to support the arrival of a new electric forklift fleet in 2026. Source: Timberbiz This project brings safety, efficiency and material choice together, while also demonstrating how mass timber performs in real, working industrial environments. Introducing electric forklifts requires more than plugging in chargers. Battery charging and storage must be well ventilated, compliant and carefully managed. Without a central facility, charging points would need to be spread across the site. That approach increases traffic interaction, safety risks and operational complexity. This new building brings everything together in one controlled location. The battery charging building has been planned through a detailed HAZOP process, with a strong focus on: Traffic separation and forklift movement Risk control during battery charging and handling Clear access and servicing arrangements   The final location was approved through site review and mobile plant network planning, ensuring it fits safely within existing operations. The structure features NeXTimber Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), demonstrating how engineered timber can be used beyond traditional commercial or residential builds. In this case, timber provides: a practical structural solution a highly visible, working example of mass timber a durable material choice suited to industrial environments   The battery charging building will be a showcase demonstration of timber being used where performance and safety matter.

The post Timberlink is charging its batteries appeared first on Timberbiz.

Two more businesses have been held to account for the forestry road failures that killed Coromandel, New Zealand truck driver Greg Stevens, as his widow issues an emotional plea for worker safety. Source: Timberbiz Mr Stevens who was 59 years old died when his fully loaded logging truck and trailer rolled while negotiating a treacherous bend on a private forestry road in May 2023. The road had no warning signs, road markers or berms, and its sharp corner was well outside any recommended specifications for the heavy vehicle he was driving. The Thames District Court found the corner’s turning diameter was 7.5 metres less than the minimum standard for the truck configuration. Wet surfaces, mud-caked tyres, darkness, and a steep downhill approach made the bend even more dangerous. The forest owner, Specialty Timbers (1987) Limited, and the transport contractor, Trevor Masters Limited, have now been sentenced for their work health and safety failures. Judge Tompkins found each party assumed someone else was ensuring the road was safe, so nobody took responsibility. “Greg’s death was preventable, and if those companies had done what they should have done, my Greg would still be with me today,” Caroline Stevens told the Thames District Court in a victim impact statement. “Greg’s death has left both mine, and the lives of our families, in limbo. Only someone who has experienced a loss like this in such tragic and horrible circumstances will ever understand. “It is my hope that Greg’s death will serve as a reminder to prioritise safety in the workplace, so no other family has to endure this trauma. My plea is simple: let our loved ones come home from work safely,” Mrs Stevens told the court. Safe transporting of logs to the forest boundary is part of WorkSafe New Zealand’s recently released approved code of practice for forestry and harvesting operations. “No log load is worth a life. Forestry operators must understand that managing forestry roads isn’t optional. If you’re moving heavy vehicles through difficult terrain, you need proper risk assessment, proper consultation, and proper controls. If you’re not sure your roads are up to standard, stop and check before the next truck goes out,” said WorkSafe’s northern regional manager, Brad Duggan. Forestry is a priority for WorkSafe as its fatality rate is about 20 times higher than the average for all sectors. WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities to keep people healthy and safe. The forest managers, Forest360 Limited, has separately entered into an enforceable undertaking. This is a binding agreement with WorkSafe to invest over NZ$400,000 in a range of safety actions in response to the death.

The post Two more businesses held to account for forestry road failure in NZ appeared first on Timberbiz.

A new education and information program on carbon forestry has been launched. Private Forests Tasmania (PFT) launched its Carbon Forestry 101 project at Agfest. Source: Tasmanian Country Rob Downie has three parcels of land across the state where he grows trees. He said that around 90% of his income is from forestry. “Initially we were leasing land to Gunns, but once they went belly-up we secured the right to the trees,” Mr Downie said. “Until last year, I hadn’t planted a tree for about 30 years. “We had trees on the property and could see that forestry was the highest and best use for the land.” Mr Downie said carbon forestry had been an absolute gamechanger for him. “I know about this more than most, but I fear for those who don’t know. “That’s where the program comes in and is going to help. “It will be an information pool.” PFT CEO Elizabeth Pietrzykowski said there is a gap between service providers and landowners with trees who want to engage in carbon forestry. “When service providers start explaining carbon projects, landowners often get lost in all the jargon and technical information,” Dr Pietrzykowski said. “We saw an opportunity here to educate people about carbon forestry and how it might work for them, which then would give them confidence to engage with a service provider.” Dr Pietrzykowski said that the number of landowners signing up to carbon projects was increasing.

The post Carbon forestry education program launched in Tasmania appeared first on Timberbiz.

Forest and Wood Communities Australia says a new peer-reviewed study published in Australian Forestry demands an urgent reset of swift parrot conservation strategy, after independent research found that predation by introduced sugar gliders, not native forest harvesting, is the primary driver of the critically endangered species’ collapse. Source: Timberbiz “This study is a wake-up call that exposes how ideology has been allowed to hijack conservation science. For years, the native forest industry has been a convenient scapegoat for activists, while the real killers-like the sugar glider-were ignored,” Steve Dobbyns BSc (Forestry), Chairman, Forest and Wood Communities Australia said. “We see this same pattern across the board; whether it’s the swift parrot or other threatened species, the focus is routinely shifted toward stopping timber workers rather than managing the complex, primary threats like invasive predators and bushfire fuel loads.” The finding, published in Australian Forestry, challenges the widely held view that habitat loss from native forest harvesting is the central cause of the swift parrot’s decline. Independent researcher Simon Grove reviewed the body of published research to test two competing explanations, concluding that the evidence base firmly favours predation over habitat loss as the primary driver. Swift parrots breed only in Tasmania, making the species uniquely vulnerable and uniquely dependent on getting the conservation response right. Mr Grove’s paper tests two hypotheses: the forest habitat narrative, which holds that habitat loss from native forest harvesting is the critical mechanism; and the predation narrative, which holds that the population is being suppressed by sugar gliders killing nesting females, eggs and broods. Neither the straightforward forest habitat hypothesis, nor a more nuanced version linking sugar glider predation to forest disturbance, is well supported by the evidence. The predation hypothesis, by contrast, is grounded in empirical observation and supported by what the paper describes as apparently robust statistical modelling. The implications for conservation are direct. A strategy focused solely on protecting existing breeding habitat would, the study concludes, make negligible material difference to the swift parrot’s fate in the short term, doing little more than ensuring the remaining birds continue to be predated when nesting. The paper is unequivocal: an all-out focus on predation mitigation remains the only strategy with at least the potential to avoid species extinction. Mr Grove is unequivocal about what the evidence demands. “Unless we focus all-out on finding practical ways to reduce predation on nesting swift parrots at scale, the species seems doomed to extinction,” he said. “In contrast, directing outrage towards the highly regulated forestry sector does nothing to further the species’ chances of surviving into the next decade — in fact, it detracts from where the real work is needed and is therefore contributing to the problem rather than the solution.” Forest and Wood Communities Australia says the study reinforces what the industry has argued for years: that conservation campaigns targeting regulated native forestry have displaced attention and resources from the interventions most likely to make a material difference. With the swift parrot facing functional extinction by the end of this decade, FWCA is calling on conservation organisations and government agencies to reorient strategy around the predation evidence without delay. “If we keep letting anti-forestry sentiment dictate environmental policy, we aren’t just losing an industry – we are losing our biodiversity. By obsessing over harvesting and ignoring the science, we are effectively managing species into extinction,” Mr Dobbins said. “This isn’t just about the swift parrot; it’s about a fundamental need to reset how we protect all our forest-dwelling species. We must move past the ‘lock it up and leave it’ ideology and embrace active, evidence-based management that addresses the actual drivers of decline.”

The post Swift parrot at risk from sugar gliders not foresters appeared first on Timberbiz.

April At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices for export logs at New Zealand ports remained unchanged from March. Higher shipping costs for log exports were partially offset by increased CFR log prices in China, along with exporters absorbing a portion of the higher freight costs to maintain supply to enable vessel utilisation and meet existing shipping commitments. Softwood log inventories in China have risen slightly, as expected, following increased harvesting activity in New Zealand during March. Inventory levels are anticipated to decline due to a meaningful reduction in log supply from New Zealand. Harvesting activity is reducing in New Zealand due to weather and forest owners, managers, and contractors responding to rising fuel costs. The PF Olsen Log Price Index remains at NZ$122, which is NZ$2 above both the two-year and five-year averages. Domestic Log Market Usually log prices are locked in with domestic mills for at least each quarter. In many cases mills have agreed to around a NZ$3 per tonne increase for the higher grade structural and pruned logs. In most cases this price is agreed on month-by-month basis and will be reviewed according to the cost of fuel. The wood processing sector remains concerned about the impact of elevated construction costs on the viability of planned projects in New Zealand. While cost pressures have shown signs of stabilisation in some areas, uncertainty around future pricing, financing conditions, and overall demand continues to weigh on developer and builder confidence. This ongoing unpredictability is making it challenging for stakeholders to commit to new projects, contributing to a subdued pipeline of construction activity. The graph below shows a recovery in new dwelling consents through 2025, with annual consents increasing by approximately 9%. However, ready-mix concrete usage (an indicator of actual construction activity) declined by 4.6% in 2025 compared with 2024. This suggests a longer lag than usual between consent issuance and the commencement of physical construction. In addition, non-residential construction, which typically has a higher intensity of concrete use, continues to decline in both floor area and value. This helps explain the ongoing weakness in concrete volumes despite improving residential consent activity. Overall, this points to a two-speed recovery in New Zealand’s construction sector. Residential building, particularly townhouses and multi-unit developments, is expected to lead the upturn, while non-residential construction is likely to remain subdued in the near term due to persistent cost pressures and uncertainty around demand. China The CFR price for A-grade logs is currently in the USD 126–129 range. While exporters are offering around USD 131, the market has so far resisted breaking through the USD 130 threshold. Wholesale prices in China have remained relatively stable; however, emerging inflationary pressures, partly driven by higher oil prices, are beginning to surface. Softwood log inventories in China have increased slightly, as expected, reflecting higher harvest production in New Zealand during March. This period typically sees elevated output due to a full schedule of working days in March and favourable operating conditions before the onset of autumn weather. Much of this volume arrives in China in April. Harvest activity in New Zealand has since declined, influenced by several factors including adverse weather events, the Easter and Anzac holiday periods, and some forest owners scaling back production in response to rising costs, particularly fuel. The harvest activity will reduce further as woodlots are completed but the next woodlot owner is reluctant to start with uncertain costs. As a result, inventory levels in China are expected to ease in the coming weeks as reduced harvest volumes in New Zealand begin to constrain log supply. Daily log offtake is currently steady at around 55,000–60,000 m³ per day, following a short-lived increase in demand during the first half of April. China’s Caixin Manufacturing PMI edged up to 51.1 in March from 50.9 in February, indicating a modest but ongoing expansion in manufacturing activity. The improvement was supported by stronger output and an increase in new orders, suggesting some stabilisation in demand. However, business sentiment remains cautious, with continued weakness in the property sector and uncertainty in external demand weighing on confidence. India Labour shortages in sawmills at Gandhidham due to workers returning home for state assembly elections in April, resulted in reduced sawn timber production. This reduced supply resulted in shortages and increased prices. Labourers returning to Gandhidham after voting, may result in increased sawn timber production and decreased prices in May. The current prices of green sawn pine are (INR per CFT); USA Southern Yellow Pine – 681 NZ Radiata – 671 South American – 641 Approximately nine vessels with about 326,000 m3 pine logs have arrived in Kandla port during April. May log shipments are priced at CFR CQD Kandla USD 158 per m3 CBM, LC 159 days, for New Zealand pine logs ex Nelson and Port Chalmers, and the same price for Australian A logs. India expects increased diesel prices in May, which can increase production and logistics costs, and the INR has weakened against the USD by 2.4% in the last two weeks, adding pressure on the Indian importers. Ocean Freight Ocean freight costs have increased significantly due to increased fuel costs since the US war with Iran. Cost increases have stabilised, but there is still some upwards price pressure. Most New Zealand log exports are carried on Handysize vessels, which are not directly included in the BDI calculation, though broader freight cost trends can still exert indirect influence on this segment. Scott Downs is the General Manager Sales & Marketing for PF Olsen Limited

The post Opinion: Scott Downs – PF Olsen log price index remains above average appeared first on Timberbiz.

Archaeologists from the University of Southampton have excavated and recorded a large timber platform hidden beneath what today appears to be a stone-built island, located in a Scottish loch. Source: Timberbiz They used a technique called stereophotogrammetry to record the human-made island above and below the waterline as a single continuous structure, providing a perspective that wouldn’t have been possible using land or underwater survey alone. The researchers, working with the University of Reading, examined the ‘crannog’ in Loch Bhorgastail on the Isle of Lewis to reveal a structure built more than 5,000 years ago. Their fieldwork uncovered a layered wood and brushwood construction under the stone capping of the island, along with hundreds of pieces of Neolithic pottery submerged in the surrounding water. “Crannogs are small artificial islands that are typically thousands of years old. Hundreds exist in the lochs of Scotland and many remain unexplored or undiscovered,” University of Southampton archaeologist Dr Stephanie Blankshein said. “While crannogs were long thought to have been built, used and re-used, mainly between the Iron Age and the post-medieval period, we now know that some were first constructed much earlier during the Neolithic between 3800 and 3300 BC.” Over several years of fieldwork visits, using traditional excavation techniques, coring, sophisticated surveying, and radiocarbon dating, the archaeologists have revealed the different stages of development of the Loch Bhorgastail crannog. It was first established over five-thousand years ago, making it older than well-known monuments such as Stonehenge. It started as a circular wooden platform, around 23 metres across, topped with brushwood. S ome two-thousand years on, in the Middle Bronze Age, another layer of brushwood and stone were added, before another phase of activity took place around one thousand years after that during the Iron Age. A stone causeway, now underwater, leads from the loch shore to the island. Over the years, archaeologists have discovered hundreds of pieces of Neolithic pottery, such as from different types of jars and bowls, scattered in the surrounding water. This suggests the site was first established by people of this period, before the Bronze Age. “While we still don’t know exactly why these islands were built, the resources and labour required to construct them suggests, not only complex communities capable of such feats, but also the great significance of these sites. Large quantities of pottery, often still containing food residue, and worked stone found on and around the islands, suggest their use for communal activities such as cooking or feasting.” Dr Blankshein said. During fieldwork in 2021, archaeologists designed and applied a new technique for using stereophotogrammetry in shallow water. The To help solve this, the researchers used two small waterproof cameras – with low-light performance and a wide-field of view. Locked at a set distance apart on a frame, this ‘stereo’ method provides precise overlapping of imagery, to help compensate for any missing or disrupted data. The cameras were manoeuvred through the water by a diver with positioning controlled to centimetre accuracy, matching that achieved by an aerial drone. “By combining stereophotogrammetry, drone technology and some innovative post-processing of the data, we have managed to set out an accessible approach that is portable and cost effective,” said Dr Blankshein, lead author on the paper.

The post Scottish island older than Stonehenge built on a wooden base appeared first on Timberbiz.

As the harvesting of small-diameter timber continues to increase worldwide – driven by growing demand for energy wood, plantation forestry, and higher productivity requirements – equipment efficiency is becoming increasingly critical. Source: Timberbiz In response to these evolving operational needs, Kesla is extending the availability of its Kesla twinAX shear-cutting solution, first introduced at FinnMetko 2024, to the 24RH III and 26RH III harvester heads. Kesla twinAX is a cost-effective wood-cutting solution, particularly for operations processing large volumes of small-diameter trees. This shear cutting module cis ompatible with Kesla 19RH III, 21RH III, 24RH III, and 26RH III harvester heads. Thanks to the modular frame design, contractors can replace the standard chainsaw module with the twinAX shear cutting module. The twinAX system delivers significant advantages in conditions that require frequent cutting of small diameter material, such as energy wood harvesting and eucalyptus plantation operations. Key benefits include: No downtime or costs caused by chain dulling or breakage No unproductive work related to chain changing, transport, or sharpening No guide bar or sprocket failures No lubrication costs, no oil handling, and no mess No oil released into the environment and no harmful skin contact with oil No chain tensioning or adjustment issues No disturbances caused by snow, ice, sawdust, or branches No risk of chain shot No concerns about contact with soil or stones, or the chain coming off the bar   The cutting capacity of the KESLA twinAX is up to 28 cm, depending on tree species and operating conditions. Kesla’s unique interchangeable module concept makes it possible to switch between shear-cutting and traditional chainsaw use, allowing the harvester head to be configured for both energy wood and roundwood harvesting. The twinAX module can also be retrofitted to existing compatible KESLA harvester heads. “As the leading independent manufacturer of harvester heads, we continuously strive to develop cost efficient and functional solutions,” said Mika Tahvanainen, Director of Product Management at Kesla. “From the perspective of both machine manufacturers and contractors, it makes sense to rely on proven modular base solutions that can be configured for various applications, rather than developing a separate special head for every use case. “The Kesla 19RH III twinAX was introduced at FinnMetko 2024, and the results from both plantation harvesting and energy wood operations have been extremely positive. Based on this feedback, we are now expanding the twinAX product family to include the larger 24/26RH III models.”

The post Kesla twinAX shear-cutting solution for larger harvester head models appeared first on Timberbiz.

Restricting logging in the EU would cost a fortune, but the resulting benefit to the climate would be virtually non-existent, Professor Maarit Kallio tells Audiomedia. Source: Tero Karjalainen Forest Fi Implementing the EU’s carbon sink targets and biodiversity strategy for land use and forestry would cause a massive outflow of logging from the EU to other countries, Audiomedia writes. “In practice, this would mean a massive transfer of income from EU countries to elsewhere, but almost no climate benefit compared to the costs,” says Maarit Kallio, professor of forest economics and policy at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), to Audiomedia. According to Kallio, the EU’s LULUCF (Regulation on Land Use, Land‑Use Change and Forestry) sector climate and biodiversity policies, if implemented, would have a massive impact on European forestry. “The targets are ambitious. However, implementing them is proving to be significantly more difficult than is often implied in political discourse. Nor have the global knock-on effects of the targets been assessed.” Forest News reported as early as December 2024 on the preliminary results of the research project. Even then, it was observed that reducing logging in the EU would increase logging elsewhere in the world and cost the EU dearly. “Achieving the LULUFC targets would multiply the risk of biodiversity loss elsewhere in the world,” Kallio told at the time on Forest News. As wood raw material production declines in the EU, processing, export revenues, investments and employment are expected to contract as well. The study forecasts a substantial transfer of income from the EU to non‑EU countries as production shifts elsewhere. According to the analysis, the marginal cost of achieving emission reductions in this scenario could rise to more than 700 euros per tonne of carbon dioxide. “By comparison, the price of a ton of carbon dioxide in the EU Emissions Trading System has been a fraction of this in recent years. If the same emission reductions can be achieved through other measures at a significantly lower cost, it raises questions about the cost-effectiveness of the policy,” Kallio notes in an interview with Audiomedia. The European Union’s LULUCF sets strict carbon sink targets for member states for the years 2026–2030. According to Kallio, in practice, this target means that forest carbon sinks must be increased rapidly. “According to a recent modelling study, achieving the LULUCF targets requires an immediate and sharp reduction in commercial timber harvesting volumes in the EU.” The magnitude of the reduction in logging volumes would be approximately 113–117 million cubic meters in 2030–2035 compared to market-driven trends. According to Kallio, this is not a matter of marginal fine-tuning, but a historic cut on the scale of forestry. “If the policy leads to logging and revenues shifting outside Europe without significant global climate benefits, it is justified to ask whether the direction is correct. The responsibility for achieving the targets and for any potential consequences lies with the member states.” According to the study’s modelling results, about two-thirds of the EU’s logging reductions would be offset by increased logging elsewhere in the world. It won’t help the climate, even if the forest carbon sink were to grow in the EU. ”A significant portion of the logging not carried out in Europe would take place in North America, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, Chile, and other major forest regions. From a climate policy perspective, this is a key problem. If logging simply shifts geographically, global emissions will not decrease significantly.” If the use of wood decreases, it may increase the use of fossil or non-renewable materials. “The climate benefit of wood does not come solely from the carbon sequestered in forests, but also from the fact that wood replaces concrete, steel, and fossil fuels,” Kallio tells Audiomedia.

The post The benefits of wood are more than just carbon sequestering appeared first on Timberbiz.

Bark and ambrosia beetles are acting as tiny taxis for fungi across New Zealand, giving researchers valuable clues about how these organisms travel through forests and crops. Source: Timberbiz To understand whether plant disease-causing fungi are being moved this way, Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao scientists are identifying the species being carried on beetles found in New Zealand forests and orchards. “While a lot is known about the beetles, less is known about the fungi that travels with them,” task lead Darryl Herron said. Since 2024, researchers across the Bioeconomy Science Institute, including teams from Lincoln, Rotorua, Ruakura, Auckland and Motueka, have been collaborating to trap bark and ambrosia beetles across New Zealand and analyse the fungi they carry, through projects funded by Better Border Biosecurity (B3) and Zespri. By combining expertise and sampling capability across teams and sites, this work has revealed a broad range of fungal associates linked to native and introduced beetle species. While most of these fungi are common plant associates, the team has detected species with the potential to disrupt plantation forestry, horticulture and native ecosystems if conditions change or new beetle species arrive. The work includes assessing potential risks to native bush, urban environments and botanical collections and monitoring beetle activity in and around orchards, where new associations and increased aggressiveness in the beetle-fungal system could pose future threats. Bark and ambrosia beetles tunnel into trees and interact with fungi in different ways. The latter carry and cultivate specific fungi, while the former pick up a more mixed assortment. Together, they’re associated with a wide range of woody plants across plantation forests, orchards, urban areas and the native estate. Their rapid breeding ability means beetle numbers can rise quickly – so their fungal passengers are never short of taxis. “It’s often these fungi that cause the greatest harm,” Darryl says. “Some fungal species block a tree’s ability to move water and nutrients, weaken natural defences or accelerate disease, particularly when trees are already stressed by drought, age or harvesting activity. “By identifying these fungal “passengers”, we’re building a clearer picture of the microscopic communities being moved across New Zealand and which beetles are more important to focus on from a biosecurity perspective. This helps us assess whether these beetles have the potential to facilitate the movement of fungi not currently established in New Zealand.” Overseas, certain beetle–fungus partnerships have caused extensive forest dieback. “Our focus is understanding what risks exist here before those impacts occur,” Darryl says. “If we know which beetles can carry damaging fungi and where they’re moving, we can respond faster and reduce the risk to forests and export markets.” The research also contributes valuable information to national surveillance efforts led by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and industry partners, including the Forest Owners Association, alongside other research programmes. Understanding fungal diversity being carried on these tiny beetle taxis could help refine risk modelling tools, guiding where and how surveillance and monitoring is most effective and strengthening post border surveillance. Together, these investments support New Zealand’s ability to stay ahead of emerging biosecurity risk, helping protect forests, horticulture and ecosystems and the industries and communities that depend on them. “Maintaining strong biosecurity pathways is critical for protecting plantation forestry and export markets,” Darryl says. Because bark and ambrosia beetles can occasionally arrive in wood packaging and untreated wood products brought into New Zealand, sector and public awareness remains vital. Anyone noticing dying trees accompanied by significant insect activity is asked to report it to MPI (https://report.mpi.govt.nz/pest/) or the or the Bioeconomy Science Institute (fhdiagnostics@scionresearch.com) with a clear photo of the damage and insect activity and the GPS co-ordinates or address.

The post Bark and ambrosia beetles are tiny taxis for fungi appeared first on Timberbiz.

Across the country, self-seeding “wilding conifers” are spreading beyond managed forests, taking over open land, and by the government’s own assessment, cutting into water supplies in sensitive catchments. Source: Techy44 That is why this is no longer just a forestry story. It is a water story, an energy story, and a public spending story, too. The numbers help explain the urgency. New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries says wilding conifers now affect more than 2 million hectares. Before the national control program was created, they were spreading across about 90,000 hectares a year, and the ministry estimates that as much as a quarter of the country could be covered within 30 years if the spread is left unchecked. That is a huge shift for landscapes that were never meant to become pine thickets. And what happens when those trees move into the wrong place? Less water, for the most part. A 2022 cost-benefit analysis tied to the national control effort says wilding conifers reduce surface flows and aquifer recharge in water sensitive catchments. It cites catchment studies showing annual surface water yields falling by 30% to 81% when pasture is replaced by radiata pine forest, and notes one study that found a 40% drop in mean annual flow when two-thirds of an experimental catchment was planted within pines. In practical terms, that can mean less water reaching rivers, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and hydro plants. Why hydroelectric power is part of the problem. That last point matters more than it may seem. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has warned that wildings spreading into hydro lake catchments can reduce water yields, and in turn, dam generating capacity. So yes, this reaches beyond remote hillsides and into the power system people depend on every month when the electric bill lands. New Zealand’s wilding conifer control program now costs millions. New Zealand has responded with a large, long-term control effort. MPI says that from July 2020 to June 2021, the program and its partners spent almost NZ$40 million (USD $23.45 million) on control work across 817,000 hectares. In its latest official update, the government said it has invested more than NZ$150 million (USD $88 million) in the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme since 2016, with more than NZ$33 million (USD $19.35 million) added by partners and communities. Ministers have described the trees as a threat to farmland, water catchments, native biodiversity, and wildfire resilience. That is the real takeaway here. What was once sold as useful planting now comes with a national cleanup bill.  

The post New Zealand’s good idea gone wrong appeared first on Timberbiz.

In February, mining company Alcoa was hit with a $55 million penalty for illegally clearing about 2,000 hectares of WA’s Northern Jarrah Forest. About $40 million was earmarked for so-called “permanent ecological offsets,” for Alcoa to repair the damage in terms of ecology lost. Source: PhysOrg In the same breath as imposing the fine, Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt also granted Alcoa an exemption. This exemption allows Alcoa to continue mining for at least 18 months as Watt mulls a proposal to extend the company’s mining operations until 2045. This decision may rest on a critical minerals deal struck between Australia and the US last year. The Northern Jarrah Forest is a subregion in the sprawling jarrah forest bioregion, located south and east of Perth. Jarrah trees (Eucalyptus marginata) known in Noongar as djarraly, are tall, straight-growing trees whose timber has historically been in high demand. The South West of WA is the only place on Earth that plays host to the jarrah forest ecosystem, which was ostensibly protected when the WA Government banned commercial native forest logging in 2024. For at least 60 years, Alcoa has mined the vast layer of bauxite that stretches beneath the forest, clearing an estimated 28,000 hectares out of the roughly 1.8-million-hectare region. Bauxite is a reddish, clay-like rock with a high aluminum content. It is refined into a white alumina powder then smelted into solid aluminum metal. Australia is the world’s second major producer and biggest exporter of alumina. Demand for aluminum is rising, in part for its use in “green technology,” including electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. The World Economic Forum predicts demand to increase by 40% by 2030. While Alcoa is required to restore any land it clears, a 2024 study found that cleared jarrah forest sites were not being rehabilitated to their pre-mining state. The problem is, there are two giants competing for this landscape, the mining company and the sprawling old-growth forest that grows atop it, as Kingsley Dixon points out. Dixon is a botanist at the University of Western Australia (UWA). He believes the multilayered bauxite deposits structure the ground, aiding water retention, which the northern jarrah forest has evolved to exploit. “It’s a geological relationship between the forest and the bauxite,” says Dixon. “You’re fundamentally removing the very substrate that’s created this extraordinary forest.” However, the science behind how bauxite and jarrah trees in this region support one another has not been extensively studied. Jarrah trees are slow growing, meaning they recover on scales of centuries, not decades. Professor Stephen Hopper, a botanist and conservation biologist at UWA, says that the many other plant and animal species beneath the jarrah canopy also need to recover or the whole ecosystem crumbles. “As with all Mediterranean climate areas, it’s really the shrub layer, the plants that are below the canopy, that are incredibly diverse,” says Hopper. “There are complications with trying to get stuff like that back into the landscape.” In 2023, a group of scientists released a statement with more than 150 signatories calling for a total halt to mining operations in the Northern Jarrah Forest. They warned of a potential “extinction catastrophe.” The Northern Jarrah Forest is among the most biodiverse temperate forests on Earth, with more than 800 native plant species and at least 10 endangered animal species. The South West global biodiversity hotspot—of which the Northern Jarrah is a part—boasts more than 8,000 species. Around 80% of these aren’t found anywhere else on Earth, including the critically endangered Baudin’s cockatoo, the western quoll and several rare orchid species. Alarmingly, Hopper says that about two-thirds of the threatened plant and animal species in this bioregion live in the uplands, which is where bauxite mining tends to happen. “Bauxite is deepest and richest in the remnant fragments that are highest in the landscape,” says Hopper. “The notion of extending the mining leases to take out substantial further areas without having a clear biological understanding of how to care for this stuff is of concern.”  

The post Restoring WA’s jarrah forests after bauxite mining decimation appeared first on Timberbiz.

Forest Growers Research has announced the first commercial licence from its Precision Silviculture Program, with Interpine launching TreeTools, a new platform that uses LiDAR and drone imagery to help forest managers assess thinning quality faster and at greater scale. Source: Timberbiz The commercial licence is the first to be delivered through the programme, which is supported by a Primary Sector Growth Fund partnership between MPI and the forest industry. The launch marks a shift from research trial to commercial deployment of technology designed to solve one of forestry’s persistent challenges, helping forest managers check whether thinning work has achieved the right stocking levels without relying solely on field crews manually measuring trees on site. Claire Stewart, Precision Silviculture Programme Manager, says TreeTools can reduce the need for extensive fieldwork, potentially lowering costs, improving consistency, and enabling faster decision‑making after thinning operations. “TreeTools brings Interpine’s remote-sensing capability into two online tools: SilvaCloud, which analyses LiDAR data to count trees and assess stocking across forest blocks, and VirtualPlot, which uses drone imagery to estimate post-thin stocking,” she said. Ms Stewart says confidence in the quality of the data is critical for foresters. “The testing showed TreeTools can produce stocking results that closely align with field measurements, while reducing the time and cost involved in checking every block on the ground. That means crews can focus field effort where it is most needed. “The platform was tested against traditional field-based assessments, with drone and LiDAR results aligning within ±5 per cent of manual measurements,” she said. “The sector needs tools that improve consistency, reduce avoidable cost, and help managers make decisions sooner. TreeTools is a tangible step in that direction.” TreeTools is available now at www.treetools.ai with further development underway for regeneration assessment, chemical thinning, and other silviculture activities.

The post Interpine adopts TreeTools for thinning appeared first on Timberbiz.

Eucalyptus bark, usually stripped from logs and treated as waste, could be repurposed to help clean polluted water, filter dirty air and capture carbon dioxide, according to new research from RMIT University. Source: Timberbiz Researchers at RMIT have shown the bark can be converted into a highly porous form of carbon that traps pollutants as water or air flows through it. The findings point to a practical way of turning a common forestry by product into a useful environmental material using a relatively simple processing method. Porous carbon materials are already widely used in water filters, air purifiers and industrial gas treatment systems. Their effectiveness comes from their structure rather than the source material itself. These materials contain a network of microscopic pores. As air or water passes through, unwanted molecules are captured and held within the tiny spaces. PhD researcher Pallavi Saini, who led much of the experimental work, said the performance of eucalyptus bark was unexpected. “It is usually treated as low value waste, but with a simple process we were able to convert it into a highly porous material with strong adsorption performance,” Ms Saini said. “It highlights how overlooked biomass can be transformed into something useful.” In the study, the researchers used a relatively simple, one step activation process to produce porous carbon from eucalyptus bark. While similar approaches have been explored using other biomass sources, many porous carbons are still produced through more complex, multistage routes that require additional energy and infrastructure. Plant-waste based carbons are being studied worldwide using feedstocks ranging from agricultural residues to forestry and industrial waste. These materials are typically assessed based on availability, sustainability, processing complexity and performance. Dr Deshetti Jampaiah said eucalyptus bark compared favourably on several of these measures, particularly in Australia. “The strength of this approach lies in its simplicity,” Mr Jampaiah said. “We are converting a widely available waste material into a functional carbon with promising performance, without relying on complex processing steps. That makes it highly relevant for real world environmental applications.” Australia is home to more than 900 species of eucalypt and related trees. As a next step, the researchers plan to work with Indigenous people and organisations with deep knowledge of eucalyptus species to help identify which species may be best suited for this type of application. The team says there is potential to further optimise the material by understanding species specific chemical and structural characteristics, guided by both scientific analysis and long-standing ecological knowledge. Any future work would be undertaken through genuine, respectful collaboration. Because the bark comes from existing forestry operations, it does not compete with food production and aligns with circular economy and waste reduction goals. Materials like this are already being explored internationally for a range of environmental applications. In time, eucalyptus bark derived porous carbon could potentially support: water purification, including treatment of contaminated groundwater and wastewater air and industrial gas filtration point of use filtration systems in regional and remote communities carbon dioxide capture, where pore structure, regeneration and material cost are critical considerations Any real-world use would depend on further work to assess durability, regeneration, scale up and performance in operating systems. Distinguished Professor Suresh Bhargava AM said the research demonstrated how waste materials could be re imagined as part of environmental solutions. “This work shows how eucalyptus bark can be transformed into materials that support cleaner water, cleaner air and carbon capture,” said Bhargava, Director of the Centre for Advanced Materials and Industrial Chemistry (CAMIC) at RMIT. “At CAMIC, we combine circular economy innovation with real societal impact, while mentoring the next generation of researchers to ensure the work remains purposeful.” ‘Sustainable valorisation of eucalyptus bark waste into microporous carbon materials for efficient CO₂ capture’ is published in the international journal Biomass and Bioenergy (DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2026.109242).

The post Eucalyptus bark repurposed to clean water and air appeared first on Timberbiz.

Entries are open for the 2026 Sustainability Awards, recognising excellence in sustainable architecture, design and construction. Source: Timberbiz Celebrating its 20th year, the 2026 Awards arrive at a pivotal moment for the built environment, one defined by increasing regulatory pressure, housing supply challenges, and the mainstreaming of sustainability as a commercial imperative rather than a design aspiration. Entries opened on 29 April and close on 24 June 2026, with submissions invited from professionals delivering measurable impact across projects, products and practice. Judging will commence on 17 July and the awards gala will be held on 12 November. This year’s program introduces two significant category updates that reflect the evolving priorities of the industry, including the return of established and emerging areas of practice. The introduction of Sustainable Builder/Developer of the Year, marks a decisive shift in recognising accountability for sustainability outcomes. The category acknowledges that leadership has moved beyond the drawing board, rewarding builders and developers who are embedding environmental performance, social responsibility and long-term value creation into delivery at scale. It signals a broader industry recalibration, where sustainability is judged on execution, not intent. Equally, the return of the Prefab & Modular category, absent since 2020, reflects the sector’s rapid maturation and growing strategic importance. Once considered niche, prefabrication is now firmly positioned as a scalable solution to some of Australia’s most pressing challenges, including housing affordability, construction productivity and waste reduction. Its reinstatement underscores increasing industry adoption and alignment with government and institutional support for modern methods of construction. “Sustainability in the built environment is no longer aspirational—it’s essential. These awards not only celebrate the innovators getting it right but also amplify their impact to drive broader change,” said Branko Miletic, Program Director. The Awards Gala will be held at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sydney, bringing together leaders shaping the future of Australia’s built environment. Established by Architecture & Design, the Sustainability Awards spotlight excellence in ecological and socially responsible design. Over two decades, the program has become one of Australia’s most trusted and influential platforms for recognising leadership in the built environment. For entry submissions, judging information, sponsorship opportunities or event details, visit: www.sustainablebuildingawards.com.au

The post Entries open for this year’s Sustainability Awards appeared first on Timberbiz.

The Electoral Commission of South Australia formally declared the final election result of the Legislative Council at a ceremony in Adelaide this week, confirming the re-election of Labor MLC Clare Scriven. Source: Timberbiz The return of Ms Scriven as a Member of the Legislative Council means she can continue to deliver for the state in her role as the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Minister for Forest Industries. As a Limestone Coast local with a special affinity for the state’s rural, remote and regional communities, Ms Scriven is an important voice for regional South Australia and an important member of Peter Malinauskas’ diverse and hard-working team. The final election result means Labor now holds 10 seats in the Legislative Council, a position not experienced by any government in almost a quarter of a century. Labor has already recorded a record result in the House of Assembly, holding 34 out of 47 seats.

The post Forestry minister Clare Scriven re-elected in South Australia appeared first on Timberbiz.