NEWS

What is the most dangerous invasive species decimating hardwoods across North America today and how many hardwoods has it killed?

Answer: The emerald ash borer has killed tens of millions of trees across 30 states and continues to spread across North America.

PHOTO © MICHAEL HUNTER

Angi’s 2024 State of Home Spending Report revealed that 93% of all homeowners are planning home improvement projects this year, even though total spending on home projects fell by 12% last year. As interest rates remain high and housing inventory scarce, 67% of homeowners said that they would rather renovate their current homes than move.

In 2024, the value of U.S. hardwood plywood imports rose by 13% as volume grew by 3%. Most imports came from Indonesia, whose volume was up by 21% and value by 19%. The next largest source was Vietnam, whose volume increased by nearly 50% and value by 34%.

Read more: U.S. Imports of Hardwood Plywood Goods (excluding hardwood flooring) →

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has requested comments to help the agency identify unfair trade practices by other countries as it begins the process of investigating the harm caused by non-reciprocal trade arrangements. Non-reciprocal trade includes barriers and policies—other than tariffs—such as unsustainable and illegal logging. The deadline for submitting comments is March 11.

PHOTO © USCBP

An executive order was issued to increase the harvest of timber on federal lands, citing the importance of timber to the U.S. economy and the need for forest management to reduce the risk of forest fires. The Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture will publish updated guidance on increasing timber production, improving forest management, and reducing the time to deliver timber by April 1.

PHOTO © Washington State Department of Natural Resources