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Since mid-2022 when interest rates, especially mortgage lending rates started going up, home builders and lumber buyers became extremely cautious in purchasing of manufactured wood products. Source: Madisons Lumber Reporter In general players avoided stocking up on lumber inventory, mostly out of concern that prices might fall, and they might get stuck with expensive material they would have to sell at a loss. Specifically veteran players, who were accustomed to prices at much lower levels than currently, chose to hold off buying to see if prices would drop back to what was historic. The fact is, however, that since 2020 to 2022 there is a new floor, and lumber prices will never return to what were the lows in 2010. This is because the cost-of-production for sawmills has essentially doubled in the past five years. The ongoing uncertainty of macroeconomic conditions nationally and warfare globally is doing nothing to restore confidence. For the time being customer demand is served promptly by sawmills and lumber manufacturers; however, if there is a bounce — even a small one — in sales of wood, either for new home building or for reconstruction after storms, shortages will appear almost immediately. Should this happen, anyone caught without wood they need for ongoing projects could be facing quite a price shock. Key points: Overall sentiment remained uncertain to negative Mild discounts were prevalent as producers looked to move some of their built-up material Supply was palpably ahead of subpar demand Field inventories remained exceptionally lean Opportunistic buyers flitted from supplier to supplier, feeling they had the upper hand Producers did their best to hold the line in terms of price, often not succeeding Sawmill order files continued to shrink as it remained a struggle to extend lead times on anything.  

About two-thirds of Japan is covered completely with trees, with around 40% being artificially planted. To maintain the forest’s health, trees must be routinely harvested and replanted, however declining import costs have resulted in little incentive to use the country’s wood, meaning forests are left unharvested and unmaintained, increasing the risk of disasters such as landslides. Sources: Timberbiz, Playfool In response, Playfool wanted to create a unique and scalable use for wood that can not only motivate the country to upkeep and sustain the forests, but also inspire a new appreciation of the trees to future generations. The result is Forest Crayons: an innovative use for wood that transforms Japanese trees into a beautiful palette of naturally coloured crayons. While the colour of wood is often thought of as simply ‘brown’, Forest Crayons reveals the vast spectrum of hues that exist in the forest. From the light green of magnolia to the deep turquoise of fungus-stained wood, each crayon exhibits a distinct colour determined not only by the species of tree but also the conditions in which it is grown. No matter what its shape, composition or defect, any piece of wood from the lumber yard can be transformed into a crayon, embracing the natural inconsistencies of the material to make each set of Forest Crayons truly unique. Developed as part of a program supported by the Japanese Forestry Agency, the hope is to not only breathe new life into Japanese wood, but also ignite a new appreciation for the country’s forests. Each set includes 10 crayons, each with a colour derived solely from a different species of tree native to Japan such as cedar, hazenoki and katsura. By repurposing Japan’s otherwise wasted timber as a source of pigment, Forest Crayons breathes new life into the country’s abundant wood resources, allowing one to appreciate and create with the forest like never before.

The Forest Stewardship Council has released its flagship publication, Forest Futures. This pivotal work leverages current scientific research to assess the state of the world’s forests and explore their potential for profound change. It underscores the vital role of forest stewardship in fostering resilient and healthy ecosystems. Source: Timberbiz Forest Futures provides an in-depth analysis of today’s forests, addressing critical issues such as biodiversity loss, the ability of forests to support livelihoods, and the urgent need to tackle the climate crisis. It sheds light on the shared understanding of forest stewardship and highlights how this approach has been undervalued by many decision-makers as a viable solution to these global challenges. To explore three potential trajectories for the world’s forests by 2050, FSC collaborated with Reos Partners, renowned for their expertise in systems-change studies and transformative scenarios mapping. Input from over 200 stakeholders helped identify four key drivers influencing forest management, conservation, and sustainable use. Leveraging these drivers, the three distinct trajectories were outlined and mapped out. These drivers are (1) Forests & Planet, (2) People, (3) Economy & Markets, and (4) Governance. These trajectories, developed through an innovative modelling exercise, demonstrate the profound impact that different levels of commitment to forest stewardship can have on our planet. “Forests are at the heart of our environmental and socio-economic future,” said Kim Carstensen, Director General of FSC. “Our flagship publication demonstrates that by embracing forest stewardship, we can unlock their potential for positive change. This is not just about preserving forests, but about enhancing their role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity”. FSC continues to lead the way toward a future where forests can thrive, advocating for responsible forest management practices that meet societal needs while preserving ecological integrity. Forest Futures calls for transformative change, offering a tangible strategy for achieving environmental targets. It urges governments, businesses, NGOs, and other key actors to join in creating a future where forests flourish, communities thrive, and our planet achieves harmony. Read the full publication at https://fsc.org/en/media/fsc-forest-futures-full-0

Austral Plywoods has long been a staple in the Australian forest and wood products industry, known for supplying premium appearance-grade plywood for almost a century. Source: Timberbiz From its Brisbane mill, the company has been operational since 1925, manufacturing products exclusively produced from Araucaria cunninghamii (hoop pine) – a premium domestic species 100% sourced from the sustainable plantations of Queensland’s South Burnett region. As Austral Plywoods approaches its 100-year anniversary, the team has no intentions of slowing down and is excited to share some significant changes and expansions to its product range. The biggest development is the transition towards producing ‘multiply’ panels across its entire plywood range, in response to customer demand. ‘Multiply’ panels are manufactured with veneers of the same thickness, giving additional strength and flatness as well as providing an attractive edge to the panel. Additionally, the company’s Interior plywood range has been upgraded to ‘AB’ grade, featuring an ‘A’ grade face, ‘B’ grade back and a 100% ‘A’ grade core. This adjustment is in response to requests from architects and cabinet makers for panels suited to joinery, CNC cutting, and laser work. These changes will provide customers with plywood panels that excel in value, appearance, workability, and environmental sustainability. Another exciting development is Austral’s involvement with the recent launch of its Austral CrocPly product, made for the most demanding floor applications, using hoop pine plywood overlaid with a hard wearing, waterproof and slip resistant film. Austral CrocPly features a multiply marine plywood core with a wire mesh and film-faced surface, providing an Australian-made alternative to imported products like Hexa Plywood. This construction meets the Australian Marine standard. The versatile material is suitable for various applications, including: truck and trailer decking vehicle floors scaffolding pedestrian platforms stair treads ship decking stage platforms.

From endemic species to sacred sites, all natural habitats, especially forests, hold inherent conservation values. Those known as ‘high conservation values’ (HCVs) reserves encompass high biological, ecological, social, and cultural significance. Source: Timberbiz Timberlands Pacific Pty Ltd (TPPL), an FSC-certified forestry organisation spanning Tasmania and the Green Triangle region of South Australia and Victoria, demonstrates its dedication to preserving these values. Through meticulous assessments, TPPL identifies and safeguards the ecological importance of its diverse forest estates, underscoring its leadership in sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. The HCV approach, developed by FSC in the 1990s, serves to identify and manage critical values within production landscapes like TPPL’s forests. This framework spans six categories – species diversity, landscape-level ecosystems, habitats, ecosystem services, community needs, and cultural values adopted across forestry and other sectors. Under FSC Principle 9, all certified forestry organisations are required to maintain and/or enhance these HCVs through a precautionary approach, ensuring proactive conservation and responsible resource management practices. At the core of TPPL’s operations lies the Penola Plantations, blending Pinus radiata plantations with natural vegetation pockets. Designated HCVs and other reserve types harbour a diverse array of flora and fauna, including rare or threatened species. TPPL’s dedicated experts conduct thorough assessments to ascertain the ecological significance of these sites, highlighting their critical role in biodiversity conservation. TPPL’s approach to managing HCVs is guided by a profound respect for nature. Under the umbrella of FSC Principle 9, TPPL identifies and manages HCVs potentially impacted by their activities. This proactive stance involves setting clear management objectives, implementing stringent operational controls, and instituting robust verification and monitoring programs to ensure continual maintenance and/or improvement in conservation outcomes. Six HCVs have been identified within the Penola Plantations estate, all falling under HCV class 3; forest areas containing rare, threatened, or endangered ecosystems. TPPL has recently undertaken enhancement efforts at the Werrikoo HCV in Western Victoria near Casterton, classified as ‘Damp Heathland’ within a 62-hectare depleted Ecological Vegetation Class. Flora assessments indicated the heath was aging and required controlled burning for regeneration. Since 2014, monitoring efforts at Werrikoo, including hair-tubes, camera surveys, and small mammal trapping, have revealed significant wildlife presence. Notably, the nationally vulnerable Swamp Antechinus and the endangered Heath Mouse have been documented. The Swamp Antechinus thrives in long-unburnt habitats but faces threats from frequent burning. Conversely, the Heath Mouse adapts to environments shaped by regular fires, with studies showing population declines as heath habitats mature. To balance the needs of these species, TPPL collaborated with local experts to develop a mosaic burning strategy across Werrikoo. This approach involves planned burns at different times and locations within the reserve to create diverse habitats. Targeted surveys, field assessments, and controlled burns were conducted in 2017, 2022, and most recently in autumn 2024. The Nature Glenelg Trust, partnering with TPPL, conducted preparatory trapping and surveys ahead of the 2024 autumn burn. TPPL exemplifies the transformative impact of responsible forest management under the banner of FSC certification. Through their dedication to preserving HCVs and supporting biodiversity, TPPL not only protects Australia’s native wildlife but also inspires a movement towards harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. In this way, TPPL ensures that future generations inherit a planet rich in ecological wonders and sustainable resources.