Promise took the form of green Ash uppers, green Hickory, and kiln dried Red Oak uppers in the South this week, but, realistically, hope remained limited to relatively small pockets. Markets for green #2A&3A Oak, long the mainstay of Southern hardwood mills, remain presently unmoved, while further pullbacks from tie buyers have increased pressure on the crosstie sector.
“Our situation is good, but our industry is so fragile right now,” one trusted contact said. “I’m two phone calls away, from two people, from having no plan B.” Outside those running larger, more diversified sawmills, he is not the only hardwood market participant who could say this in the South at the moment.
Southern Comments
GENERAL
Comments from June 12, 2026.
Promise took the form of green Ash uppers, green Hickory, and kiln dried Red Oak uppers in the South this week, but, realistically, hope remained limited to relatively small pockets. Markets for green #2A&3A Oak, long the mainstay of Southern hardwood mills, remain presently unmoved, while further pullbacks from tie buyers have increased pressure on the crosstie sector.
“Our situation is good, but our industry is so fragile right now,” one trusted contact said. “I’m two phone calls away, from two people, from having no plan B.” Outside those running larger, more diversified sawmills, he is not the only hardwood market participant who could say this in the South at the moment.