NEWS

How do giant tropical hardwood trees draw water up to 300 feet? What are dipterocarp trees?

Answers: Dipterocarp species are the tallest flowering trees in the world. They dominate Asian rainforests. They create low pressure at the top to draw water up the tree, using a highly evolved system that works just as well as the systems in trees that don't grow as tall. 

Trees can help contain heavy metals in polluted soil. The question is which species to choose. Experts at the Swiss Federal Research Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL published a study on how seven different Central European species respond to metal-contaminated soils. The findings may surprise you.

Vermont loggers are sounding the alarm after Finch Paper announced that it will close its mill in Glens Falls, NY. The mill, which buys and processes low-grade pulp wood, is a pillar of the Vermont logging industry's supply chain. Vermont loggers say this will have an enormous negative impact on the industry.

PHOTO © GARRETT ENGLISH

Mexico's total imports of plywood increased by 22% year-over-year in April, as the value declined by 2%. Imports of hardwood plywood from Mexico to the U.S. shot up by 68% year-to-date through April, suggesting the possibility that plywood destined for the U.S. is being transshipped through Mexico to avoid duties.

PHOTO © USCBP

Federal enforcement against the evasion of duties on imported kitchen cabinets and vanities has accelerated over the past year, as the Justice Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating a series of cases involving transshipment, undervaluation, mis-manifesting, and broker fraud.