Weyerhaeuser and West Fraser report first quarter 2019 losses as earnings plunge, while Interfor announces downtime plans at each of its three BC interior mills. In other Business news: Ontario consults the forest sector on electricity prices; and however diminished, forestry remains an economic bedrock in Thunder Bay.

In Wood Product news: the role and future of concrete (Engineering.com); a flame-retardant for wood, made from wood (Finland); a first look at the renderings of the proposed up-to-40-storey timber tower (Vancouver); and two years after his death, architect Bing Thom’s last project opens at Simon Fraser University. Other stories of note: a summit on Canada’s biodiversity crisis; Ontario’s axed tree planting program; and police raids on illegal logging in Brazil.

Finally, good news—our readership is growing exponentially. Bad news—our server isn’t happy about the surge of readers when we publish! Apologies if you’re experiencing some delays but your patience is appreciated while we upgrade.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor