Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from December 12, 2025.

Eastern US hardwood sawmill production fell 14.3% in November from October to an annualized rate of 3.86 billion board feet (see graph on front page). November had five fewer working days than October, resulting in the highest daily rate for any month since March. Sawmills in the Appalachian region reported smaller November versus October declines (-12.9%) than their counterparts in the South (-17.4%) and North (-13.2%).

Contacts report level to stronger log decks, but steady to slower green and kiln dried lumber sales. One producer described business as inconsistent, largely because customers are mainly filling holes in inventories. Another contact echoed this sentiment about its main customers, stating; “They tell us they do not have a good feel for their needs in early 2026, but they are busy trying to get their finished goods out by year-end.” A third producer said an uptick in demand for Red Oak from China will likely keep his monthly overall billing level steady. Despite stronger activity from China following the US-China trade deal framework, most increases to the listings and ranges are supply driven.

ASH

Most sales activity for this species is with established customers, more so internationally than domestically. Reported green prices lift the listings for 5/4 Fas&1f and for 8/4 #2A but reduce the 6/4 #1C listing. Kiln dried prices are little changed from prior weeks, but the directional trend is lower for the few that move. The listings for 4/4 #1C and #2A, 5/4 #2A, and for 6/4 Fas are reduced.

BASSWOOD

Green Basswood buyers typically build inventories in the late fall and winter. While it is still early in that period, initial indications are that lackluster sales of Basswood finished goods will constrain the seasonal upturn in purchases this season. For now, at least, most purchasing is on a replacement basis. Circumstances are much the same for kiln dried Basswood. Information requires reductions to the listings and ranges for 4/4 #1C, but all other prices hold steady.

BEECH

CHERRY

Chinese demand for Cherry remains decent. Drying operations are pursuing green Cherry but are having difficulty buying at prices that allow them to sell it profitably. Transaction data drive increases to the listings for 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f, 4/4 #1C, and 5/4 #1C in both sub-regions. Information also bumps up the listings for Appalachian 8/4 #2A and North Central 4/4 #2A and #3A. Most kiln dried Appalachian Fas Cherry is trading at higher prices, with gains occurring to the 4/4, 6/4, and 8/4 Fas listings and noted 4/4 and 5/4 Fas ranges. No changes are necessary for the North Central figures.

HICKORY

Hickory remains on some sellers’ lists of worst-moving species. Lower volumes are moving to flooring plants now than in the early fall. However, supply and demand are relatively balanced across thicknesses and grades for both green and kiln dried. The only adjustments this week lift the low end ranges for kiln dried 4/4 #1C.

HARD MAPLE

Appalachian and Northern producers expanded production of this species in recent months. Markets have absorbed Northern common grade production better than Appalachian, as sales of Appalachian stock have seasonally slowed to cabinet manufacturers. The listings for green 4/4 through 8/4 #1C fall in both color designations. In kiln dried markets, demand is stronger for #1C than for Fas or #2A, reversing trends from the summer. The 4/4, 6/4, and 8/4 #1C listings advance in both color classifications, as do the 6/4 Fas listings.

SOFT MAPLE

Sawmills and concentration yards are having little difficulty moving developing Soft Maple production. Supplies of green and kiln dried Sap&Btr and Unselected 8/4 upper grade Soft Maple lag demand, and all the listings rise. Conversely, lower prices in observed transactions decrease the green Sap&Btr 4/4 #2A listing.

#2&3A OAK

Residential solid wood flooring sales are seasonally slowing. Manufacturers have ample #2A&3A Oak inventories, and most are reducing green receipts and paying less than in early fall. Meanwhile, sales activity remains weak for truck trailer flooring producers, with plants buying less #2A&3A Oak at somewhat lower prices. That said, based on myriad reports from across the region, no changes are warranted to any #2A&3A Oak listings in this edition, following last week’s declines to 4/4 #2A and 4/4 #2A Alone Red Oak. Sawmills in this region have managed to expand log decks, easing concerns about potential lumber shortages in late fall and early 2026.

RED OAK

With year-end approaching, domestic demand for kiln dried Red Oak is off. However, Chinese buyers are consistently placing orders, continuing the trend started after the US and China recently reached the framework for a trade deal. The owner of one sawmill said he had put more Red Oak in kilns expecting a trade deal, and that it is moving to China “at the right price.” A yard operator said Red Oak sells well to longtime customers in Europe and the Middle East, but margins are becoming an issue, with green upper grade prices steady or rising while kiln dried prices are flat. Reported green prices advance the 5/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f Red Oak listings but lower the listing for 4/4 #1C. The only kiln dried figures that change this week are the low end ranges for 8/4 Fas, which notch gains.

WHITE OAK

Kiln dried 4/4 Fas White Oak prices hold for a third consecutive week and #1C prices hold for a second, halting the downward trend for both grades since early and late October, respectively. Information reduces the high end ranges for 5/4 Fas, however. Producers are still struggling to sell 8-foot Fas White Oak or are holding onto it because margins would be negative if they accepted low-priced offers. Prices for most green items have been stable recently, but reported transactions lower the listings for 6/4 Fas&1f and raise the listing for 6/4 #1C, continuing the directional trend for each since late November.

POPLAR

Comments about Poplar are mixed. “It moves at a fast enough pace to keep dust from settling on it,” reported one contact, while another said “typically steady” #1C&Btr sales have slowed a bit, which he attributed to seasonally reduced demand from construction markets. Fittingly, Poplar is on some contacts’ bestseller lists and others’ worst-seller lists. Reported kiln dried prices are consistent with prior weeks, and no changes are warranted to the listings or ranges. Nearly all the green Poplar figures are also unchanged, but transactions show downward price pressure on 5/4 Fas&1f, and the listings are reduced.

WALNUT

One producer indicates he is oversold on kiln dried 4/4 Fas Walnut and is sold out of #1C. Multiple seller-buyer transactions reflect these comments, registering large increases to 4/4 #2A&Btr prices and driving similarly large increases to the listings and ranges. Though some sellers are struggling to generate orders for thick stock #2A Walnut, reported prices are sufficient to raise the 5/4 #2A listings. Information gathered this week holds most green listings steady following sizeable gains from early summer through early fall. Only the 4/4 #1C listing gains ground.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

According to Smith Leonard, new furniture orders rose 15% in September over August and were 7% higher than in September 2024. The increase brought the year-to-date total through September even with 2024. At present, furniture sector activity is slow, and demand for Oak and Mixed Species framestock is weak. Production is accordingly limited, and prices are confined within the existing ranges.

Markets are absorbing developing cant supplies. Reported cant prices are consistent with past weeks in ongoing business, allowing the listing and range to stand this week, as they have since mid-August.

Tie treaters are closely managing purchases to avoid unwanted inventory gains, considering stocks are high relative to prior years and insertions typically slow in colder weather. Prices are steady across both sub-regions, allowing the published ranges to stand.

Demand for board road is lackluster. Prices in observed business hold the listing and range in place.

International Comments

GENERAL

Please see our graphs.