National Hardwood Magazine - March 2017

NEW RIVER Continued

NEW RIVER Continued - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAKE STATES Continued from page 6 58 MARCH 2017 NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

NORTHEAST Continued from page 6 turers and millwork operations. “Steady to about the same” is how one Wisconsin source describes prices in his area. White Oak is their top seller. This source offers all Northern Lake States Hardwoods, including Red and White Oak, White Birch, Ash, Basswood, Cherry and Hard and Soft Maple. They offer 4/4 through 10/4 stock. Of the Hardwood species that this source offers, White Birch is slow moving off the yard. “Weather and the holidays are affecting the markets,” the Wisconsin source said. “Prices are at the same level or less than they were about three months ago,” the lumber representative said, “but we do anticipate an uptick in the next 60-90 days.” Hearing from his customers, this source said, “Our customer base is busy. They always want it cheaper, but we’re not that source.” In the next six months, this Wisconsin Hardwood lumber supplier anticipates growth. “We had growth last year. We had growth the year before that and the year before that.” An Indiana source said prices are good. The Hardwood representative specializes in thick stock lumber of Red and White Oak, Walnut, Hard and Soft Maple, Ash, Butternut, Basswood and Cherry. “The customers are searching us out,” the source said. “We can hardly supply customer demand. Our customers want more lumber, and it takes about a year to have it available.” At the time of this writing, weather played a factor in the markets as the winter progressed for the Indiana contact. “In the winter, the ground is usually frozen, but this winter it hasn't been frozen, the temperature is 40 degrees and it’s raining, so there’s no way we can get into the woods to get the logs out, as far as getting the logs out onto the yard to saw.” Any Way better than the No. 2 Common.” Trucking rates in his area were erratic at the time of this writing. His customers are a combination of distribution yards, manufacturers and end users. “I don’t hear anybody overly optimistic, but I don’t hear anybody being negative, either, which is good. Hopefully, it will be a good year because we all need a good year. I’m not bullish on the market right now, but I’m not being a bear, either. You’ve got to be careful in these types of markets.” For another Pennsylvania source, Red Oak in 4/4 and 5/4 stock is moving particularly well. He handles Red and White Oak, Poplar, Ash, and to a lesser extent You Cut It... ISK Protects It. Proven Mold Control...Powerful Sapstain Protection Trust ISK for Your Wood Solution. NeXgen ® End Coatings & Paint PQ-80 ® Please turn the page 1-800-238-2523 416 E. Brooks Rd. Memphis, TN 38109 www.iskbiocides.com NeXgen ® ® ® ® ® a MARCH 2017 NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 59