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Portland, OR – June 24, 2025 – Yesterday, Hampton Lumber announced plans to build a new,  state-of-the-art sawmill in Allendale County, South Carolina. This facility will expand Hampton’s presence in the U.S. and support the company’s long-term vision to become North America’s
preferred source of wood solutions. The new mill will specialize in producing high-quality Southern Yellow Pine framing lumber. This will be the company’s first new sawmill on the East Coast and once fully operational, will provide 125-140 new jobs in the area.

“Hampton Lumber’s new operation in Allendale County will be a notable addition to our state’s forestry industry, while also providing opportunities for our people and contributing to the local economy,” said South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster. “We are proud the company recognized South Carolina as the ideal home for its first East Coast mill and look forward to
supporting its success in our state.”

Hampton Lumber is committed to operating one of the most efficient dimension lumber mills ithe region. The facility will help meet the growing demand for housing materials while creating high-quality jobs and fostering long-term economic growth in the area.

“The enthusiastic, heartfelt support from the state and local community helped us come to the conclusion that this is the right location,” said Hampton Lumber CEO, Randy Schillinger. “We look forward to building partnerships in the area and supporting the communities of Allendale
County.”

Hampton Lumber brings over 80 years of experience in the sawmill business to this new venture. A fourth-generation, family-owned company, Hampton currently operates nine sawmills in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. The new mill will complement these existing
operations and help the company diversify its product offerings.

“Our deep roots in the Pacific Northwest have shaped our values of integrity, sustainability, and community engagement—principles that will guide how we operate in Allendale County,” said Schillinger.

Construction of the mill is expected to begin later this year, with operations slated to commence in early 2027.

“We’re excited to be part of the community,” Schillinger added. “The area is home to a healthy wood products industry and there is ample, high-quality timber available to support this new mill for years to come. We are exceedingly grateful to the state of South Carolina, and the county
and community partners who helped make this project possible.”

About Hampton Lumber
Hampton Lumber is a fourth-generation, family-owned company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. With over 80 years in the sawmill business, Hampton operates sawmills in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia and markets wood products all over the world. Hampton also
manages a wholesale and lumber export division and numerous reload, remanufacturing and advanced wood manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. through affiliates, Idaho Timber and RedBuilt. All of Hampton’s forestlands are certified by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), an independent, non-profit organization that promotes sustainable forest management.

SFI certified forests play an important role in water conservation, wildlife habitat, and climate
solutions.

Contact: Kristin Rasmussen
Director of Public Affairs & Communications
KristinRasmussen@HamptonLumber.com

HAMPTON LUMBER
9600 SW Barnes Road, Suite 200 – Portland, Oregon 97225
Tel. 503-297-7691 | www.hamptonlumber.com

The post Hampton Lumber to Build New Sawmill in South Carolina appeared first on International Forest Industries.

With the Komatsu 898, Komatsu Forest is taking the next step in the development of large forwarders adapted for plantation forestry in South America as well as final felling in Australia, North America, and Europe. Source: Timberbiz A new powerful engine, robust transmission, and a large load space with a wide range of customisation options for different needs are just a few of the advantages that make the Komatsu 898 meet the market’s demands in the largest segment. Komatsu 898 is a further development of the popular final felling forwarder Komatsu 895, adapted to handle even larger loads. The model is available in a standard version with 8 wheels, but for forwarding in plantations on flat terrain, the 6-wheel version can be a cost-effective alternative. The 898 has a robust load space with many possibilities for adjustments. The gate can be telescopically adjusted, and the foldable widening wings can be locked in the retracted or extended position. There is also an option to make the gate slide along the direction of the rear frame. The bunks have telescopic widening and can be equipped with hydraulically height-adjustable stakes. This increases productivity during loading and unloading by reducing the height that the timber must be lifted over the supports – something that also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. The Komatsu 898 has a new generation diesel engine. It is a powerful 7.5-litre AGCO engine with high performance and good fuel economy, with the new CORE platform. Maximum power is 250 kW and maximum torque is 1450 Nm. The engine has a large radiator and hydraulically driven cooling fan, which allows the speed to be adjusted dynamically depending on the cooling needs. As an option, the cooling fan can be made reversible, making it easy to reverse the airflow and blow away debris. The AdBlue system has a robust design, and a new feature is that the AdBlue filter is now located outside the tank, making it easy to access when the filter needs to be changed. The 898 has two strong crane configurations, 165F (standard) and 205F (optional). The Komatsu 205F crane has a lifting torque of 205 kNm and a swing torque of 51.9 kNm. It’s developed with an emphasis on increased productivity in final felling and plantation forestry. The crane has a robust, welded pillar that, together with the main boom and outer boom, provides both good lifting height and lifting geometry. It can be selected with a reach of 7.5/8.5 m with single telescope or 10 m with double telescope. For the 205F, the largest grapple model, G88H, is available as an option, with a tip-to-tip area of 0.55 m2, and a powerful rotator. Komatsu 898 has a strong powertrain with a large bogie axle and the wheels are well dimensioned for the task – the rear wheels measuring 30.5” and the front wheels 28.5”. Together with the 345 kN max tractive effort (8WD), this enables the machine to move effortlessly in the terrain, even with heavy loads. The 898 8WD is equipped with a new generation hydrostatic transmission with a large hydrostatic pump and dual hydraulic motors. This provides similar characteristics to the 895 with XT transmission, but with even higher traction force. The new hydrostatic motors are designed to handle higher pressure and higher speeds, which allows more power to be delivered to the wheels. This, combined with the powerful diesel engine, makes the machine even more powerful. The dual hydraulic motors provide high speed in the first gear, which also contributes to high productivity. The Komatsu 898 has a new generation diesel engine. It is a powerful 7.5-litre AGCO engine with high performance and good fuel economy, with the new CORE platform. Maximum power is 250 kW and maximum torque is 1450 Nm. The engine has a large radiator and hydraulically driven cooling fan, which allows the speed to be adjusted dynamically depending on the cooling needs. As an option, the cooling fan can be made reversible, making it easy to reverse the airflow and blow away debris. The AdBlue system has a robust design, and a new feature is that the AdBlue filter is now located outside the tank, making it easy to access when the filter needs to be changed. The 898 has two strong crane configurations, 165F (standard) and 205F (optional). The Komatsu 205F crane has a lifting torque of 205 kNm and a swing torque of 51.9 kNm. It’s developed with an emphasis on increased productivity in final felling and plantation forestry. The crane has a robust, welded pillar that, together with the main boom and outer boom, provides both good lifting height and lifting geometry. It can be selected with a reach of 7.5/8.5 m with single telescope or 10 m with double telescope. For the 205F, the largest grapple model, G88H, is available as an option, with a tip-to-tip area of 0.55 m2, and a powerful rotator. Komatsu 898 has a strong powertrain with a large bogie axle and the wheels are well dimensioned for the task – the rear wheels measuring 30.5” and the front wheels 28.5”. Together with the 345 kN max tractive effort (8WD), this enables the machine to move effortlessly in the terrain, even with heavy loads. The 898 8WD is equipped with a new generation hydrostatic transmission with a large hydrostatic pump and dual hydraulic motors. This provides similar characteristics to the 895 with XT transmission, but with even higher traction force. The new hydrostatic motors are designed to handle higher pressure and higher speeds, which allows more power to be delivered to the wheels. This, combined with the powerful diesel engine, makes the machine even more powerful. The dual hydraulic motors provide high speed in the first gear, which also contributes to high productivity.  

The post Komatsu 898 large forwarder adapted for plantations and final felling appeared first on Timberbiz.

In collaboration with the AI company Terra Labs, Södra is now launching an initiative to ensure that members have continuous access to regularly updated insights about their forests. Source: Timberbiz Broad knowledge of forest owners’ needs is being combined with AI, automated data, and new working methods to provide members with the best possible decision-making support regarding their forest. The forest management plan, a central tool in a forest owner’s planning and decision-making, has remained largely unchanged for decades. Södra is now leading a major project to develop planners’ tools using remote sensing and next-generation AI technology. “We are now on the brink of a technological leap that will give us access to automated forestry data in a new way. Empowering our members in their forest ownership and decision-making is a key part of our mission, and we aim to create even better decision support for forest owners,” said Peter Karlsson, Head of Södra Skog. There is significant potential to streamline work through automated forestry data, which, among other benefits, reduces the need for field measurements. To achieve this, Södra is developing its own Planner App, used on a tablet in conjunction with new remote sensing data. Södra has now entered into a long-term partnership with Terra Labs to ensure stable access to highly accurate and frequently updated data. The joint development work to adapt and train the AI model has been ongoing for several months. “We’ve contributed various perspectives to the development process and have now found solutions that provide us with very high-quality forest information. We are leading the market here and will soon be able to offer Södra’s members the best possible information about their forests, which we hope will enhance the member experience,” says Peter Karlsson. The app for forest planners will be launched this autumn, and in parallel, the forest management plan is being developed as a product. The aim is to make more information available via the member portal Min skogsgård, thereby transforming the forest management plan into a more dynamic decision-making tool where members have greater opportunities to actively engage with their plans. Terra Labs is a new AI-based platform that inventories and analyses forests in real time using satellite data, with the goal of enabling the next major technological shift in the industry.

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The US’ Agriculture secretary will scrap the ‘roadless rule’ that protects lands including the largest old growth forest in the country. The Trump administration will rescind protections that prevent logging on nearly a third of national forest lands, including the largest old growth forest in the country, the agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, announced on Monday. Sources: The Guardian, Associated Press The announcement will be followed by a formal notice rescinding the “roadless rule”, a nickname for the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, in coming weeks, the Associated Press reports. The rule prohibits road building and logging on all national forest land without roads, accounting for about 59m acres (24m hectares) of US national forest land. Rollins shared the news at a gathering of the Western Governors’ Association in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where hundreds had gathered outside to protest against congressional efforts to sell off large swaths of public lands. There, the interior secretary, Doug Burgum, spoke of a new “era of abundance” on public lands, describing Donald Trump’s efforts to extract more natural resources for domestic manufacturing. “President Trump is removing absurd obstacles to commonsense management of our natural resources by rescinding the overly restrictive roadless rule,” said Rollins. “This move opens a new era of consistency and sustainability for our nation’s forests. It is abundantly clear that properly managing our forests preserves them from devastating fires and allows future generations of Americans to enjoy and reap the benefits of this great land.” Republican lawmakers from western states celebrated the announcement while environmental groups expressed dismay. On social media, the Republican representative for Alaska, Nick Begich, said: “Alaska’s forests are one of our state’s greatest natural assets and the ‘Roadless Rule’ has long stifled responsible forest management, blocked access to critical resources, and halted economic opportunity.” The Republican congresswoman Harriet Hageman of Wyoming also posted on social media, writing: “This outdated policy has long hindered effective forest management.” Meanwhile, the Sierra Club’s forest campaign manager, Alex Craven, said in a statement: “Once again, the Trump administration is ignoring the voices of millions of Americans to pursue a corporate giveaway for his billionaire buddies. Stripping our national forests of roadless rule protections will put close to 60m acres of wildlands across the country on the chopping block. That means polluting our clean air and drinking water sources to pad the bottom lines of timber and mining companies – all while pursuing the same kind of mismanagement that increases wildfire severity.” In its announcement, the US Department of Agriculture cited concerns about increasing wildfire risk as reasoning for constructing roads through national forest land: “Nearly 60% of forest service land in Utah is restricted from road development and is unable to be properly managed for fire risk. In Montana, it is 58%, and in Alaska’s Tongass national forest, the largest in the country, 92% is impacted.” Journalist Ben Goldfarb, author of the book Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, questioned that logic on social media, writing: the “vast majority of fires occur near roads. They’re worsening risk”. The decision also aligns with Trump’s executive order “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation”, the USDA said, to “get rid of overcomplicated, burdensome barriers that hamper American business and innovation”. During the latter part of Trump’s first term, the federal government lifted restrictions on logging and road-building in the Tongass, something the Biden administration later reversed.

The post Trump rescinds protections on 59m acres of national forest to allow logging appeared first on Timberbiz.

Forestry Corporation is reminding residents to purchase firewood authorisations before collecting wood from State forests. Recent updates have been made to Forestry Corporation’s online firewood permit page improving the user experience. Source: Timberbiz The conditions for firewood collection have also been updated and should be understood prior to entering State forests. The system now distinguishes some locations between pine and native hardwood forests, making firewood collection easier for authorisation holders. “State forests in NSW continue to offer the public an affordable way of collecting firewood, with authorisations ranging from $8 to $30 per tonne depending on location, with pensioner discounts also available,” Forestry Corporation’s Governance Officer – Forests and Land, Melanie Klootwijk said. “These prices have remained stable for many years, which is important for regional communities in cooler climates where firewood is essential for heating.” Authorisations allow the public to collect between one and three tonnes of firewood per visit, depending on the location. Each selected forest collection area is clearly mapped when applying for an authorisation. The areas available for firewood collection change each year and are generally areas where timber harvesting has taken place. Firewood can only be collected from the ground — felling standing trees is strictly prohibited. Authorisation holders must print maps of the collection areas and carry the map when collecting firewood to avoid confusion and penalty notices up to $200 if found not to be adhering to the permit conditions Forestry Corporation urges authorisation holders to practice safe chainsaw use and wear protective equipment. Firewood collection is prohibited during Solid Fuel Fire bans — authorisations cannot be used when a ban is active, even if purchased beforehand. For more information visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au  

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Two Scion programs have received a second round of government funding for collaborative research with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aimed at increasing water flow and wildfire knowledge and preparedness in New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz The NZ$2.35 million (excluding GST) from the government’s Catalyst fund will enable Scion to undertake three-year research programs into observing water flows through forests and investigating wildfire and drought risks. Both programs are based on feasibility studies completed thanks to the first stage of Catalyst funding. The water flows research builds on results from Scion’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded Forest Flows program, which researched forest hydrology in study sites around New Zealand, including an 1800ha catchment in Northland’s Te Hiku Forest. The new program, a collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, will focus on the Aupōuri Peninsula’s Te Hiku region (Northland). It will use data from multiple NASA satellite missions to generate a new way to accurately measure water use for different land uses and how it varies across the region. The program will also monitor how water moves across the region above and below ground. Scion research lead Dean Meason says this research could provide new insights for freshwater management at scales previously not thought possible. “This gives us the opportunity to address concerns about water use and availability and increase understanding of water use and water flow throughout Te Hiku.” The wildfire and drought risk study aims to build a publicly accessible near-real-time fuel moisture and fuel type system. Program lead and Scion fire ecologist Shana Gross says accurate data on the moisture content within living vegetation can provide information on how fire could spread through vegetation and identify areas where insects and disease pose a risk to drought-stressed vegetation. “This can lead to more accurate wildfire predictions improving warning systems and reducing economic and environmental loss due to wildfire and drought.” Scion is partnering with NASA’s Ames Research Centre, the Australian National University, the US Forest Service, Fire and Emergency NZ and the University of Canterbury on this program. Both research programs will now collect field and remotely sensed data to build models for development of the near-real-time systems. The partnership with NASA on both programs gives Scion’s teams access to state-of-the art technology and expertise to develop their research and build partnerships with a world leader in space research – and to help with solutions to climate change-driven challenges.  

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Erben’s 35-storey timber tower on the fringe of Perth’s CBD has been greenlit by the City of Perth’s Metro Inner Development Panel. Source: Australian Property Markets News Designed by Rothelowman, with planning and landscape by Urbis, the project will be one of the world’s tallest hybrid timber towers and deliver 351 build-to-rent apartments, including studios, 1- and 2-bed apartments, and 64 short-stay accommodation units. This innovative development is thoughtfully designed to foster a strong sense of community, introducing a new residential model to Perth that sets a new standard for high-quality rental living – designed with a generous eye for life. The project prioritises an aspirational lifestyle, encouraging greater interaction among residents through carefully curated communal spaces and uniquely crafted apartments. 108 Stirling Street embraces hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, reinforced by a concrete core and mass timber columns. This pioneering system minimises carbon footprint, enhances structural efficiency, and injects natural warmth and character into interior spaces. The design prioritises buildability, carefully considering material production, transportation, and modularity to optimise its sustainable impact and construction. A defining feature of 108 Stirling Street is its generous ground-plane urban bushland, introducing native trees and landscaped pedestrian linkages that promote a walkable and vibrant precinct. The scheme protects the existing mature street trees along Stirling and Aberdeen Streets, enhancing Perth’s urban canopy and creating a cooler, more inviting public realm. “At 108 Stirling Street, accessible green space isn’t just a feature, it’s fundamental,” said Kylee Schoonens, Principal at Rothelowman. “It’s our way of stitching this precinct into the fabric of the city, creating a natural pause point that invites people in, encourages movement, and supports a more connected, walkable Perth. “We’re proud to be partnering with Erben on this landmark project. It’s a meaningful contribution to Perth’s Urban Greening Strategy, expanding inner-city bushland and using low-impact materials to ensure the project treads lightly while giving back to the city.” At street level, the tower’s Urban Room forecourt gives back to the public realm creating a harmonious interface between nature and the city. Designed to foster community interaction, the development features physically and visually connected rooftop and podium gardens, ensuring a sense of connectivity for residents from street level to skyline. Committed to achieving a Five-Star Green Star sustainability rating, 108 Stirling Street integrates rooftop PV panels, strategic landscaping to combat the urban heat island effect, and smart access to public transport, walkways, and bike paths to encourage eco-friendly mobility. Erben Managing Director Luke Reinecke said he is pleased to receive development approval on 108 Stirling Street. “This is as an exciting project for us and will offer the Perth market something unique through its innovative and sustainable design, extensive use of timber, and strong community focused offering, expanding the range of housing options available. It comes at an important time for Perth, when increasing housing supply is of utmost focus,” he said. Expected to reach completion in 2028, 108 Stirling Street will deliver 3,000 square metres of communal amenities, 900 square metres of resident storage, and 35 new trees furthering Perth’s urban regeneration while setting a new benchmark in sustainable residential design.

The post Erben timber tower has been greenlit appeared first on Timberbiz.

Controlling gorse on private land is never as simple as it sounds and in a forestry context, its aggressive nature and environmental impacts mean landowners need more than good intentions. Source: Timberbiz Successful management of Tasmania’s highly invasive woody weed, Gorse (Ulex europaeus), in private forests demands adherence to regulations, coupled with a strategic, ecologically informed approach and a clear vision for future land use. Private Forests Tasmania Forestry Specialist Dion McKenzie said landowners need to be aware of regulatory requirements when undertaking gorse control in forested or woodland environments. Mr McKenzie said no gorse program should begin without consulting the Forest Practices Act 1985. Any operation that clears, pushes over or otherwise destroys trees capable of reaching five metres is a forest practice and usually needs a certified Forest Practices Plan (FPP). “If gorse control will remove, damage or kill native vegetation – even indirectly – it may be deemed tree‑clearing,” Mr McKenzie said. “Undertaking forest practices without an approved FPP can trigger compliance action by the Forest Practices Authority (FPA), including fines and remediation orders. “A phone call to a Forest Practices Officer before you start can save you money and grief.” Resources such as the Gorse Management Leaflet [add hyperlink] are available via the Forest Practices Authority and offer practical advice and regulatory guidance. A simple flow chart on the FPA website helps landowners decide whether their job is exempt. Mr McKenzie said gorse is highly flammable, aggressive in its spread, and tenacious in seed survival, it can choke out native vegetation, hinder forest operations, and elevate fire risks. “Firstly, it’s a prolific flowerer that can produce seed even when young – and older plants generate enormous seed banks,” Mr McKenzie said. “Secondly, those seeds have a hard coat and can survive in the soil for decades. “In a forestry context, gorse can limit access for any monitoring or active management such as pruning, and it can also increase the fire hazard significantly as it is highly flammable.” He said these traits mean any control method – whether mechanical, chemical, or fire – must be supported by an extended follow-up plan. Mr McKenzie said fire can in fact promote seed germination, meaning it may need to be used cautiously and only at the right time in the control process. Forestry consultant Alex Tabor said successful gorse control comes down to having a long-term management plan. Ms Tabor works with private landowners across Tasmania, helping them avoid unintended damage to native ecosystems when tackling weeds. “Getting rid of gorse is not actually the end goal. You need to have a clear vision for what you want that land to look like when the gorse is gone,” she said. “Woodland environments where gorse is present are often already under threat, and overly aggressive removal of gorse particularly using fire, can worsen the situation. “If you burn it too early, the gorse burns so hot you can kill all your trees, make the infestation worse, and possibly breach the Forest Practices Code.” From a practical forestry perspective, gorse also presents logistical and operational problems. “Selecting tree species that grow rapidly and are suited to the site can give them a competitive advantage,” Mr McKenzie said. “Good weed control during establishment and rapid early growth is essential. “A species with a dense canopy will shade out the understorey and reduce gorse germination over time. “Active managed planted forests can be a good option for assisting with gorse management and making land productive again.” The Gorse National Best Practice Manual is a science‑based guide to helping manage gorse and key actions in developing a control plan include: Define problem areas through property or control area mapping using aerial photos, existing maps, or hand-drawn visuals. Determine and map control priorities – rank infestations by priority, assess legal and ethical responsibilities, align with regional plans, and use overlays or GIS to map priorities and ecological considerations over a minimum five-year control plan. Determine integrated gorse management options by assessing available resources, legal requirements, potential impacts on neighbours, and planning for initial control, follow-up, and ongoing monitoring. Develop a financial plan by estimating management and labour costs for each infestation, budgeting for both short- and long-term control, considering available financial support, and including future follow-up actions. Develop a long-term, flexible gorse control schedule that enables annual follow-up, considers seasonal effectiveness and labour availability, and integrates with broader land management activities. Monitor and document gorse control efforts by mapping progress, recording methods and costs, checking for regrowth or new outbreaks annually, and taking repeat photos to assess effectiveness over time. Conduct annual follow-up of treated infestations using the most suitable method, as regrowth and new germination are likely to occur. Alex said many landowners underestimate the time and cost involved in gorse control, which she labelled and “open-ended problem”. “For major infestations, landowners should plan for a five-to-10-year control program, followed by ongoing maintenance to prevent re-establishment,” Ms Tabor said. “Budget on at least five to ten years of staged control, then lifelong surveillance. “Follow-up maintenance isn’t just once or twice – it’s ongoing, and it must be tailored to what’s coming back each time. “People often let gorse infestations go on for decades. Once you lose the diversity in these ecosystems, it’s hard to restore it. “The earlier you get in, the less intensive and expensive it will be.”

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