Category: Lumber News

  • US House Prices, New Home Sales Volatility

    The pace of the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller US National Home Price Index index (equal to 100 in January 2000) rose from 136.7 in December 2011 to 179.4 in May of 2016. The monthly change between April and May was 0.2 per cent, or 2.3 per cent on an annualized basis, and the index is up…

  • Softwood Lumber Smack Talk

    In a new development best received with foreboding, 25 US Senators this week sent a signed letter to US Trade Representative Michael Froman alleging “Canadian lumber is subsidized, unfairly traded and has had decades worth of well-documented adverse economic impacts in the US.” As a result of this communication, Canada’s ambassador to the US, David…

  • US Real Estate and Housing Market: Mid-2016 Update

    The latest data out of the US this week shows sales of new single-family homes likely grew at a rate of 530,000 units in June, up 8.6 per cent from a 488,000 annualized pace in May, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Thursday. June’s estimated pace of sales was up 7 per cent from a year…

  • More Softwood Lumber Talks Transparency Urged

     This week Eacom Timber again went on public record requesting more progress, and updates, on the important Canada-US Softwood Lumber trade issue. “The American market is critical for us … the majority of our shipments are destined to the US,” said Christine Leduc, EACOM’s director of public affairs to Timmins Press Monday. “If you’re (a…

  • Streptomyces Bacteria to Break Down Cellulose

    Some very exciting breakthroughs have been made recently in using fungii and sugars to break through tough wood cellulose cell walls and access the abundant energy inside to make various types of fuel. New research carried out on a specific group of bacteria known as Streptomyces shows how certain bacterial strains developed improved abilities to…