On Point | Podcast Feeding America's insatiable appetite for lumber
May 8, 2025
Ryan DeZember, a commodities reporter at The Wall Street Journal with a passion for lumber, teams up with Scott Dane, Executive Director of the American Loggers Council. They dive into the complexities of the lumber industry, revealing how tariffs influence trade relations, especially with Canada. The discussion includes the impact of logging policies on domestic production and the balancing act between industry growth and environmental health. They highlight challenges faced by local communities and the historical significance of U.S. forests in the midst of evolving market dynamics.
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Jim Manke's Lumber Journey
- Jim Manke has spent almost all his life working in the lumber industry, from dragging Christmas trees as a kid to running sawmills today.
- His company owns 45,000 acres and has faced workforce reductions and capacity cuts due to competition from Canadian lumber.
Lumber Industry's Geographic Shift
- The lumber industry's epicenter has shifted from the Northwest to the Southeast over recent decades.
- Southern pine grows faster due to year-round seasons and intensive plantation methods, making it dominant globally.
Why U.S. Imports So Much Lumber
- The U.S. imports 30% of its lumber largely because southern pine differs from the preferred softer northern species.
- Builders favor softer woods, so substitution and cost issues arise when relying on southern lumber.