The Conference Board of Canada, in a year-end report on the country’s wood products industry, says revenues are on pace to grow 8% despite US softwood duties paid of $500 million. And although strong prices will offset the expected $1.3 billion in duties in 2018, increases in US production and offshore imports will keep a lid on future price growth.

In other Business news: TimberWest published their sustainability progress report; Rick Jeffrey recaps BC’s largest-ever trade mission to Asia; Tolko signed an economic agreement with the Splatsin First Nation; Mackenzie Pulp is fined by WorkSafeBC; and a lack of timber is squeezing the housing boom in Australia.

In Forestry news: environmental groups criticized Alberta’s release of a plan to save the caribou; BC’s ban of grizzly bear hunting is called the “thin edge of the wedge“; and Oregon’s national monument is next in line for reductions.

Finally, a Billings forester has a secret weapon to stop tree vandalism – fox urine, and Rome’s official Christmas tree is a Charlie Brown special.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor