NEWS

As we enter the final month of 2022, the listing of the northern long-eared bat on the Endangered Species List creates significant uncertainty about our industry's ability to sustainably harvest raw materials. Unfortunately, potential harvest restrictions won't help the bat and would reduce our nation's ability to address climate change by reducing the use of carbon-storing wood products. DHA will continue to work with the Hardwood Federation and other industry allies through implementation processes to reduce any adverse impacts from the listing while protecting the bats.

It’s also clear that imports of hardwood plywood and engineered wood flooring, growing rapidly in 2022, continued to pose challenges to our industry. Year-to-date imports for both products are up dramatically and show no real signs of slowing. Despite the war and tariffs, imports from Russia have declined in volume but their dollar value is still up year-to-date. The dollar value of imports of hardwood plywood from Vietnam has grown by nearly 57% year-to-date, still high but a bit slower than through August. We will be watching these imports closely to see the impact of the Commerce Department's finding on circumvention. 

The good news is that beauty of hardwoods continues to drive global demand for engineered wood floors—forecast to grow by 5.5% per year through 2030. At DHA, we agree that there is nothing more beautiful and sustainable than hardwood products.

If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.


Keith A. Christman, President
Decorative Hardwoods Association

Photo © Dave Redell, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

On Tuesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a final rule to reclassify the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The final rule appeared in the Federal Register on Wednesday and becomes effective on January 30, 2023.

Earlier this year, Decorative Hardwoods Association and the Hardwood Federation commented on the proposed reclassification, highlighting how forestry helps bat populations. Re‑designating the bat as endangered will trigger land-use restrictions that could hinder timber harvesting operations in 38 states. 

Year-to-date through September, hardwood plywood imports have climbed nearly 40% in value to nearly $1.8 billion and 15% in volume to nearly 2.7 billion square feet. These dramatic increases follow an increase of more than 35% in volume in 2021. Year-to-date increases from Indonesia and Vietnam were both about 60% in value.

Year-to-date through September, U.S. imports of engineered wood flooring have grown by more than 22% in value to more than $1 billion and by more than 19% in volume to over 600 million square feet. This strong growth comes on the heels of an increase of more than 31% in value in 2021. Year-to-date imports from Vietnam are up by 33%.

Experts predict that the global market for engineered wood flooring will reach nearly $77 billion in 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. Last year, the market grew to $47.5 billion. North America is forecast to hold the largest share due to increasing use in construction and in existing U.S. residential and commercial buildings.

Russia's production of lumber dropped by 18.3% from January–October vs. last year. Production of plywood fell even further, down by 26.7%.

Jack Schikofsky, owner of JAS Veneer of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario, has passed away at the age of 95. His son, Mike, will continue his legacy as the head of JAS Veneer.

A venture between German start-up Voodin and Sweden's Stora Enso will manufacture turbine blades of laminated veneer lumber, including an LVL blade that will measure 80 meters long. The goal of the partnership is to provide an innovative solution to replace "less environmentally friendly materials" with renewable products made from wood.

Capital Testing has published a detailed write-up on ASTM E2768, the 30-minute Steiner tunnel fire test used to evaluate building products—particularly wood treated with fire retardant and products designated as ignition-resistant. For more information, see the E2768 page on the Capital Testing website or contact Chris Palumbo. 

An anti-logging group filed suit in Vermont's Superior Court to block the planned logging of thousands of acres of mature forest in Camel's Hump State Forest by the state's Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. According to the activists, "Public forests are among our greatest bulwarks against climate change and extinction."

Deer are threatening American forests. In recent years, the deer population has ballooned to about 30 million. With fewer natural predators, deer are reproducing more and decimating young trees and native plants.

The deadly emerald ash borer has gained a foothold in the Pacific Northwest. It was spotted in western Oregon, near Portland. The number of states infected by the pest is now up to 36.

The International Wood Products Association continued to advocate for more lenient treatment of species at the November Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Two tree species, ipe and cumaru, were added to CITES Appendix II, designed to protect the species from illegal harvesting.

Six companies, including the world's largest producer of pulp, plan to plant millions of acres of trees in Brazil. This massive effort, funded by carbon offsets, will result in a forested area the size of Switzerland.

A new study claims that nearly one-fourth of Sweden's last unprotected old-growth forest was logged between 2003 and 2019. The study also states that "a small fraction" of Sweden's forests are older forests that have never been cut.

Recent research found that climate change could significantly reduce the growth of beech trees across most of Europe. Beech forests in Europe provide habitat for wildlife, contribute to the water and carbon cycle, and are an important source of timber.

Which country has the most forest area as a percent of the total area of that country?