Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from February 13, 2026.

Harsh winter weather conditions—including snow, ice, and lengthy periods of below-zero temperatures—slowed production at some sawmills, yards, and secondary manufacturing operations, and stopped it temporarily at others. Two winter storms in two weeks have also impacted logging, with myriad contacts reporting low log decks after reporting steady-to-rising log supplies prior to the storms. Contacts at the IHLA Convention said storm-related production declines could work to keep lumber inventories low and prices stable amid market conditions that have been slow to gain traction since the holidays. End users are aware of potential short-term shortages of certain items but generally are not concerned about long-term availability. Preliminary data show that January sawmill output was lower than in December, impacted by weather.

ASH

Sawmills report few quality Ash logs are available for processing, due to poor logging conditions and the Emerald Ash Borer. While green Ash lumber production is low relative to several other species, it is sufficient to meet the market’s needs for most items. However, markets want more green and kiln dried 4/4 uppers, and the respective listings are raised. Ash lumber exports haven’t rebounded since falling back in August. Shipments averaged 3.76 million board feet (MMBF) from August through November, 33% below the 5.65 MMBF January through July average.

BASSWOOD

Interest in this species hasn’t changed much over the last several months. There is a close balance between limited supply and tepid demand, however, resulting in stable pricing. All green and kiln dried figures are in order.

BEECH

BIRCH

CHERRY

Chinese demand for Cherry is stronger for 4/4 and 5/4 stock than for 6/4 and 8/4, according to an exporting sawmill in the heart of Cherry country. That said, overall business for this species is a bit slower following some initial Chinese replenishing in late-2025. Prices obtained this week only necessitate an increase to the listing for green 4/4 #1C in the Appalachian region.

HICKORY

Demand for this species is rising slowly from low late-fall and early winter levels. Some flooring plants have been purchasing more #3A&Btr in February than January, at steady prices. One supplier said his #3A&Btr prices have risen $30. Pricing is unchanged in this edition, however, following increases for certain items in prior weeks.

HARD MAPLE

Tight-grained species are favored in cabinets that utilize solid wood. Cabinet and component manufacturers accordingly purchase large volumes of Hard Maple. Activity from those sectors typically increases in spring, but most contacts report steady-to-slower Hard Maple sales to end-users over the last few weeks. A component manufacturer says it expects flat business in 2026 and correspondingly no measurable change in its annual receipts of Hard Maple. Interest in green #1C outpaces Fas&1f, and reported prices warrant increases to the listings for 4/4 through 8/4 #1C in both color designations. The listing for green #1&2 White 4/4 #2A also rises, but the low end ranges for kiln dried #1&2 White 4/4 #1C are lowered.

SOFT MAPLE

Sellers report steady-to-good demand for green Soft Maple in the Sap&Btr color specification. Yards are paying sellers’ asking prices to ensure adequate supplies for their kiln dried customers. Demand is slower for #2A than for #1C&Btr, but #2A has shown some “improvement” in the sense that it no longer appears on lists of worst-moving items, as it did for several months last year. Green Unselected 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f are oversupplied relative to needs, and the listings fall back.

#2&3A OAK

Some truck trailer flooring plants need more lumber to support their finished goods sales, while others do not. Meanwhile, some residential flooring plants are purchasing roughly as much #2A&3A Red Oak in February as in January, while others are buying less. Pricing reports gathered this week keep all #2A&3A Red Oak listings—and the listing for #2A Alone—unchanged. Residential flooring plants are limiting their White Oak flooring production as inventories of some finished goods items rise. Purchasing of 4/4 #2A&3A White Oak has slowed, and the listings are reduced for a second consecutive week.

RED OAK

Contacts point out decent or okay business for this species in February, compared with reports of good or better business in December and January. Sawmill production has primarily focused on the 4/4 thickness: current supply aligns with demand, keeping all green and kiln dried 4/4 figures unchanged. However, supplies of several thicker stock items lag demand. Reported prices warrant increases to the listings and noted range figures for kiln dried 6/4 and 8/4 Fas, and for 5/4 and 6/4 #1C. Thicker stock green prices are less active than kiln dried this week, by comparison. The listings for 8/4 Fas&1f rise, while the listing for 6/4 #1C is lowered.

WHITE OAK

White Oak continues to make sellers’ lists of best-moving species. However, excess supplies relative to demand lower the listings for green 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f to align with reported prices from surveys and information gathered from contacts at IHLA. The 4/4 #2A&3A listings also fall back. For certain kiln dried items, markets are not absorbing output. Information warrants reductions to the listings and ranges for 5/4 and 8/4 Fas, and to the high end ranges for 4/4 #1C. In contrast, the listings for 6/4 Fas are raised to better reflect reported prices. Price declines for 4/4 Fas in recent months have worked to pull 5/4 prices lower, and 8/4 Fas is oversupplied, but there hasn’t been as much 6/4 production.

POPLAR

Comments about this species have turned somewhat negative, coinciding with reports of increasing production. Sales are decent but not as strong as they were a few months ago, according to one sawmiller who recently reduced his prices to generate sales and hasn’t ruled out additional reductions. Another sawmiller reports steady Poplar pricing, while a third says he is unable to get list prices for his 4/4 items. A secondary manufacturer that purchases large monthly volumes states no green items are in tight supply. Lower prices in observed transactions drop the listings for green 6/4, 12/4 and 16/4 Fas&1f. In kiln dried, information warrants reductions to the listings and ranges for 4/4 Fas, and to the noted range figures for 4/4 and 6/4 #1C.

WALNUT

Sawmills continue to report difficulty competing for Walnut logs against well-funded Asian buyers who can meet high ask prices. Total Walnut log exports in November were at a five-month high, and November shipments to China were the highest since China rescinded the US log ban. Strong Walnut log exports continued to Vietnam in November, with Vietnam receiving 89% of all export-bound shipments that month. Amid these circumstances, green Walnut production isn’t gaining ground relative to the market’s needs. Reported prices are edging higher, warranting increases to all green listings except 4/4 #2A. Sellers continue to receive substantial premiums for specialty Walnut items. This week, the only changes on the dry side lift the low end ranges for 5/4 Fas.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Demand for Oak and Mixed Species framestock from the upholstered furniture industry is weak. Some mills are having more success moving framestock to other sectors than furniture plants, but others are avoiding it altogether. Reported prices are little changed, allowing the ranges to stand.

Most pallet plants report steady business for their finished goods and decent raw material supplies. Sawmills are shipping developing cant production at prices centered on the listing or within the range.

Nearly 90% of survey respondents over the last three weeks report fair demand for crossties, despite concerns of longer-term declining interest from treating plants. The ranges in both producing regions are in order in this edition, following a decline to the high-end range in the Northern Appalachian region last week.

Appalachian producers of board road describe demand as steady or slow. Reported prices didn’t change much, and the listing and range remain intact.