The Changing Supply Chain: The effects of wood-to-energy production on the LBM market
January 13, 2009 — WHEN the housing market rebounds, it will reemerge into a radically different marketplace. Most economists agree that by 2011 housing activity will once again be fueling economic growth in the United States. In addition, economic stimulus initiatives will likely create a growing number of infrastructure revitalization projects (new public buildings and retrofittings for energy efficiency, for instance). A third component of the new marketplace-the wood-based energy industry-will also play a role. Read more…
For Some, Sound of Profit Is ‘Timber!’
January 26, 2009 — Through Sept. 30, the value of timberland rose 5%. When the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries reports 2008’s final quarter this week, this number is unlikely to move much. That marks a slower pace of growth, yet it is growth nonetheless. In 2007, timber appreciation was a towering 15%. Read more…
Rowan County Planning Board makes way for Gold Hill lumber company expansion
January 27, 2009 — A deal appears near that would allow a Gold Hill lumber company to expand and give neighbors desired screening. The Rowan County Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit to allow Blandy Hardwoods on Gin Road to add dry kilns, a planer and additional buildings for lumber storage. Company owner Andrew Frick first sought approval for the expansion in 2005. Commissioners approved rezoning the 26-acre tract from rural agricultural to industrial. Faced with opposition from neighbors, commissioners added a conditional-use permit with seven conditions. Read more…
U.S. lumber group upset over Canada forestry aid
January 28, 2009 — Canada’s plans to aid its struggling forest industry could violate its lumber trade agreement with the United States, a U.S. lumber producers’ organization warned on Monday. Read more…
NCWoodlands Purchases Domain Name
January 28, 2009 — NCWoodlands, North Carolina’s independent not-for-profit organization providing private landowners with a voice on national, state, and local issues has purchased the domain name www.ncwoodlands.org . With the official web page still in the design phase, NCWoodlands has linked the domain name to their new blog introduced last month. Now, interested individuals may access the NCWoodlands blog by using either the web address http://ncwoodlands.blogspot.com/ or www.ncwoodlands.org . Individuals wishing to comment on individual blog entries will require a Google Account. (FREE) All NCWoodlands supporters with a web presence are encouraged to provide a link to the new NCWoodlands blog. Read more…
Louisiana Pacific laying off
February 16, 2009 — Louisiana-Pacific Corporation announced Tuesday plans to temporarily curtail production at its laminated veneer lumber mill off Highway 421 in Wilmington. Ninety-one employees will be placed on temporary layoff at the end of this month. The company says the weak housing market is to blame. Read more…
Whole Log Lumber Company Increases Sales By Recycling Antique Wood
February 26, 2009 — Whole Log Lumber Company had a banner year in 2008 and is enjoying robust 2009 sales despite the economic despair that grips many American businesses. Last year, the company’s sales surged nearly 50 percent. The 25-year-old company offers a wide-range of authentic reclaimed and recycled woods including pine, maple, oak, fir, and even rare chestnut. The strength and stability of antique and reclaimed wood is generally superior to new growth materials, and recycled wood is more environmentally sustainable. Read more…
Vilsack Announces First Wave of Usda Economic Stimulus Funding
March 10, 2009 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA will be delivering its first actions implementing the $28 billion provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). Within the act the Forest Service has released almost $100 million of the $1.15 billion for projects in the Recovery Act. The stimulus funding will be used for hazardous fuels reduction, forest health protection, rehabilitation and hazard mitigation activities on federal, state and private lands. Read more…
International Paper closing mill in Franklin, Va.
April 2, 2009 — International Paper Co. is closing its Franklin lumber mill in Virginia, laying off employees at its sheet converting plant and converting innovation center in the same city. Read more…
Japan to Seek U.S., Canadian Timber After Russian Supply Drops
April 19, 2009 — Japan’s lumber industry, which imports 80 percent of its supplies, may buy more timber from the U.S., Canada and New Zealand after an increase in export taxes slashed Russian shipments by 55 percent. Read more…
U.S. Forest Service Stages Firefighting Aircraft In Kinston
April 28, 2009 — The U.S. Forest Service has relocated a large firefighting airtanker at the N.C. Division of Forest Resources’ Kinston facility in case the aircraft is needed to fight a large wildfire burning in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Read more…
(Non-ACF Forester)Timber Management Company Owner Sentenced to Prison for Cutting Down Eagle Nest Tree
June 17, 2009 — TIMOTHY ALLEN, 52, of Elma, Washington was sentenced today to two months in prison, four months of home electronic monitoring and one year of probation in connection with the taking of a bald eagle nest in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. At the time Allen committed the violation, the bald eagle was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Allen is the owner of Allen’s Forestry Services, a timber management company. At sentencing Magistrate Judge Karen L. Strombom said she had no choice but to send Allen to prison due to his efforts to obstruct the law enforcement investigation. “…. what you did to avoid detection…. you signed an affidavit under oath, and still would not tell the truth,” the Judge said. Read more…
Foresters warn about fire safety over the Fourth
July 1, 2009 — State foresters are warning residents to be careful with fire over the holiday weekend. The July Fourth holiday means fireworks and lots of grilling and camping. All those things can increase the dangers of wildfires. Read more…
Landowner workshop planned in WNC
July 2, 2009 — Are you a landowner or manager interested in learning more about managing your land in western North Carolina? If so, you are invited to attend the “Discovering Your Land: Basic Land Management Skills” workshop at the Cradle of Forestry in America on Friday, July 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Read more…
Pulpmills in the US South Had Some of the Lowest Wood Fiber Costs in the World in the 2Q/2009, Reports the Wood Resource Quarterly
July 21, 2009 — The US South has the largest pulp industry in the world and this industry has enjoyed low wood raw-material costs for a very long time. This trend continued in 2009, with wood chip and pulpwood costs that were substantially lower than global average costs, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Read more…
Teen recognized for her work in the environment
August 19, 2009 — Through intelligence, perseverance and hard work, teenager Mary Silliman has done more for the community and environment than the vast majority of adults could ever hope to achieve. Now the rising Apex High School freshman has earned some impressive recognition for her efforts. Despite being just 13 years old, Silliman was recently named a winner in the N.C. Division of Forest Resources’ Urban Forestry Awards Program. Read more…
Biomass is No Longer the ‘Unknown Renewable’
August 25, 2009 — Formerly considered the unknown renewable, biomass became the central focus of the clean energy debate when policymakers recognized that it was essential to meeting a strong renewable electricity standard. Congress now has the opportunity to take meaningful action on climate change and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Biomass is the keystone to a national energy policy that can achieve both goals. Read more…
Forest ranger retiring after 30 years on job
August 31, 2009 — Driving across Rowan County recently, Rodney Kreiser pointed to several stands of trees, easily recalling landowners' names and discussing the different tree species he helped plant there. "They need thinning," he said, eyeing a group of pines as he passed. After nearly three decades of service, Kreiser, the Rowan County forest ranger for the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, is removing the bronze badge that has been pinned above his left shirt pocket for years. Read more…
Demand for local North Carolina timber on the rise
September 1, 2009 — Partly due to increased overseas demand for poplar, the timber market continues to improve after plunging to unprecedented low levels in February and March. Local forestry consultants and others said they're cautiously optimistic about continued improvement. Read more…
National Science Founation grants NCSU $3.72M to study tree lignin
September 3, 2009 — North Carolina State University researchers have received a four-year, $3.72 million grant to study how genes impact the type and amount of lignin produced in trees. Read more…
Georgia Pacific to close plant in Whiteville, North Carolina
October 28, 2009 — Georgia Pacific officials say the remaining lumber and plywood operations in Whiteville will shut down after the remaining stock is shipped this week. Read more…
North Carolina Division of Forest Resources advocate local firewood
November 10, 2009 — North Carolina forestry officials say people should use local firewood because evidence suggests that several tree-killing insects are being carried into the region by people toting firewood from other states. The redbay ambrosia beetle, which transmits the destructive laurel wilt, and the gypsy moth have been discovered along the borders of North Carolina. Laurel wilt has been confirmed in northern South Carolina by state and federal forestry officials. The European gypsy moth has been found in some northeastern counties of our state. Read more…
NC Division of Forest Resources Need Cedar Seeds
November 27, 2009 — he state's forest rangers added seed collection to their duties this month, gathering the stock that will produce the state nursery's next crop of red cedar seedlings. The state Division of Forestry Resources has asked North Carolina residents to call forest rangers if they have good seed-producing eastern red cedars or southern red cedars on their properties. Read more…
Longleaf Pines Could Help Climate Change
December 11, 2009 — Longleaf pine forests that once blanketed the Southeast could play a key role in combating climate change, conservationists and scientists said Thursday. Read more…
Effort mounted to reforest the Southeast
December 15, 2009 — The longleaf pine has long been a part of the Southeast’s landscape, but a new report from the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF) said the longleaf pine forests are disappearing and it’s up to the people of the south to rehabilitate the species. Don Watson, district forester for the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources, District 3, said in his district, which includes Richmond County, there are about 12,000 to 15,000 acres of trees planted each year. Read more…
Stan Adams, Former Director of the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources Dies
December 18, 2009 — Stanford (Stan) M. Adams, 74, of Four Oaks, died Thursday surrounded by his family. He graduated from N.C. State University in 1957 with a BS Degree in Forest Management and embarked on his professional career in resource management which spanned over 44 years. He began with the U.S. Forest Service holding positions across the South and in Washington, D.C. In 1991, he returned to his Johnston County roots, joining the N.C. Forest Service as Director of the Division, and held this position until his retirement in 2006. Read more…