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On June 4, 2025, NHLA’s Rules Committee reviewed 17 proposed changes, approving 8 to advance. Proposals include updates to Standard Inspection, Standard Grades, and Cypress grading rules. All approved changes will face an Active member vote this fall, requiring a two-thirds majority, with final updates included in the 2027 NHLA Rules Book.

NHLA Field Inspector Simon Larocque brings decades of experience to Canadian hardwood operations. From training inspectors to improving yield and quality, he builds trust and strengthens cross-border collaboration. Simon’s expertise ensures members navigate uncertainty, enhance skills, and maintain high standards—one company, one conversation at a time.

Dallin Brooks, NHLA Executive Director, reflects on lessons from wood product innovation. Early failures like SIPs, CLT, and TMW slowed progress, while substitutes advanced. NHLA can lead by sharing risk and coordinating market development—so when innovations succeed, the whole hardwood industry benefits.

Thermally Modified Wood (TMW) could reshape the future of North American hardwoods. TMW makes wood more durable, stable, and sustainable — without chemicals — while adding value to underused species like red oak, ash, and poplar. But for the industry to unlock its full potential, we must overcome challenges in awareness, product standards, and supply chain coordination.

Dana Cole, Hardwood Federation Executive Director, recaps a busy 119th Congress: government funding challenges, Farm Bill updates, truck weight reform proposals, and trade negotiations. The Federation continues to advocate for programs supporting hardwoods and the forestry sector, keeping members informed and engaged on critical federal issues.

With imitation wood products blurring the lines for consumers, NHLA is launching a new one-page feature to help members push back against misinformation and advocate for real hardwood. From media rebuttals and shareable talking points to hardwood vs. imitation comparisons, this resource equips you with the tools to defend and promote the truth about hardwood — at the jobsite, in conversations, and online.

Ben Peach founded Heartwood Brands to serve the hardwood industry with branding, web, and video services. With deep on-the-ground experience in sawmills, yards, and distribution, his team speaks the industry’s language. Heartwood helps NHLA members tell their stories, elevate brands, and stand out, combining creative expertise with hands-on hardwood knowledge.

US hardwood exports drop in 2025, but new trade deals, led by China, may bring stability and growth to global markets.

NHLA webinars give hardwood professionals tools to learn, adapt, and advocate for a stronger, more resilient industry.