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This quarterly newsletter from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Forest Utilization and Marketing Program shares information on DNR programs, economic reports, industry news, professional development opportunities and more. If you have questions or know of an event or opportunity that may be of interest to our partners, email forest marketing and outreach specialist Matt Watkeys, or visit us on the web.
Oak wilt infections have been confirmed in two stands of trees in southwest Marquette County, signaling additional spread of the often-fatal oak tree fungus in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Additional areas of dead or dying oak, known as “mortality pockets,” may also be in the area; however, not all dead or dying oak is the result of oak wilt infection.
In August, the United States Department of Commerce nearly doubled duties on softwood lumber. Its fifth administrative review of the duties increased the rate from just over 8% to a little more than 14.5%.
The Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute has become one of the most enduring trade disputes between both nations. Over the past 25 years, the U.S. lumber industry has frequently sought government restrictions on Canadian softwood lumber imports through the application of U.S. countervailing duty and anti-dumping laws. These laws allow the imposition of import duties when a U.S. industry is allegedly harmed by subsidies in the exporting country (countervailing duties), or by dumping. This is when a U.S. industry is allegedly harmed by imported products sold at prices that are lower than the cost of production or lower than prices in the domestic market (anti-dumping duties).
The entirety of LP Building Solutions’ LP SmartSide Trim & Siding product portfolio is now officially designated as carbon negative, according to company officials. This includes production mills in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. LP Building Solutions
"Our commitment to innovation has consistently led to the development of products that are sustainable, resilient and efficient to install," said Jenni Galiotto, LP director of sustainability and public policy. "The wood-based nature of our products, combined with our manufacturing practices, underscores LP’s role in creating sustainable building solutions."
Wood drying is one of the most important steps in processing hardwood lumber. The drying process removes more than one-third of the weight of a fresh-sawn board.
Doing this increases wood strength and makes it more dimensionally stable and less subject to mold and decay. Most carpenters, cabinetmakers, and furniture makers won't consider a wood purchase until it has undergone a drying process appropriate for their intended use.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has enacted an interior quarantine for balsam woolly adelgid in Missaukee County. MDARD is aiming to slow the spread of the invasive pest while minimizing disruption to the state’s nursery and timber industries.
If Michiganders suspect this invasive pest is damaging fir trees, they should take photos, note the location, and report it to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network or MDARD at MDAInfo@michigan.gov, or 800-292-3939. For more information on balsam woolly adelgid and other invasive species in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Invasives or balsam woolly adelgid in Michigan.
Mass timber construction promises many economic benefits to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This includes improving the use of the region’s vast forests while creating jobs for residents, environmental protection, and economic growth for the timber, wood products and construction industries. Michigan mass timber – using forest resources, different approaches, and economic impacts - are addressed in this article.
The DNR's new customer service center in Newberry is under construction now with Michigan-grown mass timber.
Learn more about statewide efforts to promote mass timber here.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' State Forest Management Plan is in its final stages of development, and the draft plan can be read online.
The deadline for public input on the plan has been extended until Dec. 31, 2024. Submit comments to ForestPlanComments@Michigan.gov.
Oct. 10-11: Michigan Society of American Foresters fall meeting
October-December: Michigan Sustainable Forestry Initiative “last chance” 2024 recertification CORE training
Nov. 19-21: Forest Inventory and Analysis Science Symposium
Dec. 10: Michigan Mass Timber Update 2024 (invite only)
May 6-8, 2025: Wood Residuals Summit – Traverse City
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