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Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from August 14, 2026

Hardwood sawmill production in the Appalachian region fell 8.1% in July from June, less than the 11.1% decline in the North and 19.5% reduction in the South, according to estimates by HMR/Fastmarkets. The July decline more than offset the percentage gain in June. While some mills only took one day off for the Fourth of July holiday, others closed for an entire week. Fewer sawing days and slower Chinese demand contributed to July’s decrease.

Considerably more prices fell than rose this week, with reductions necessary for some producers to generate orders and cash flow during the dog days of summer, when kilns turn quicker due to high temperatures. Concentration yards and secondary wood products manufacturers are still purchasing mainly for short-term needs. Domestic and international markets are seemingly awaiting clearer directional trends in their respective economies and the end of the US-Iran war. Interest in rift and quartered White Oak has reportedly picked up, but green plainsawn White Oak remains oversupplied. Contacts report more activity for Walnut but slightly less demand for Hickory. Brown Hard Maple in 9 to 16-foot lengths remains in short supply, but almost everything else is readily available, according to a longtime wood products manufacturer.

ASH

Demand for this species is widely described as good, with limited green production moving steadily to yards and end users, and kiln dried stocks shipping at typical volumes to foreign buyers. Most green prices are at or near the published figures, but information lifts the listings for 5/4 Fas&1f by $25 per thousand board feet ($/MBF). While most kiln dried figures are unchanged, the 4/4 Fas ranges and 8/4 #1C listings warrant increases.

BASSWOOD

Basswood supply and demand have been balanced most of the year. However, green production now exceeds low demand, prompting reductions to all 4/4 figures and to the listings for 5/4 Fas&1f, #2A, and #2B. All kiln dried figures remain intact.

BEECH

CHERRY

Cherry business has moderated in recent weeks. Yards are purchasing decent quantities of green lumber for drying, but some sawmills have reduced Cherry production. Consequently, green supplies match the market’s needs. Reported prices are little changed, allowing the listings to stand. Supplies of most kiln dried items also align with demand. However, lower reported prices drive reductions to the North Central 4/4 #1C figures, reflecting an imbalance between supply and demand for that item.

HICKORY

Demand for Hickory shows signs of moderating from strong levels. One wood component manufacturer said he’s not bringing in as much Hickory in August as he did in June and July. Regardless, purchasing by flooring plants is strong enough to absorb declines by other sectors. Gains in prior weeks hold all green and kiln dried figures steady in this edition.

HARD MAPLE

Appalachian contacts report higher demand for #1C Hard Maple than for Fas and #2A, though “better” is relative because overall demand is muted. Green supplies are in better balance with demand now than a few months ago. However, #1&2 White 5/4 #1C&Btr prices have a downward bias, and the listings retreat. Weakness is also evident in reported kiln dried #1&2 White 4/4 #2A prices, which drive reductions to the listings and high-end ranges. The high-end ranges for #1&2 White 5/4 Fas also retreat.

SOFT MAPLE

Market circumstances are less favorable for Soft Maple than for Hard Maple. Consumption is steady-to-slower in the cabinet, case goods, and component sectors. Secondary manufacturers that replenished inventories earlier this year are well situated with Soft Maple and are controlling purchases accordingly. Reported prices warrant reductions to the listings for green Sap&Btr 4/4 #1C and 4/4 #2A along with Unselected 4/4 #2A. Lower kiln dried 4/4 Fas prices align with comments that Fas is the weakest grade and drive decreases to the listings and ranges in each color designation. The Sap&Btr and Unselected 5/4 #1C listings also lose ground.

#2&3A OAK

August purchases of #2A&3A Red Oak by some residential flooring plants are among the highest of the year, ensuring adequate supplies as production and sales of Red Oak flooring outpace those for White Oak. Truck trailer flooring manufacturers are also buying relatively large volumes. The demand pull from the two sectors is absorbing #2A&3A production, which is up for some mills that are flush with Red Oak logs. Sellers and buyers are trading #2A&3A Red Oak and #2A Alone Red Oak at prices that keep the listings steady. Meanwhile, lackluster demand is forcing some sellers to lower 4/4 #2A&3A White Oak prices, as reflected in reductions of $10/MBF to the listings this week.

RED OAK

Domestic demand for this species is fair. However, Chinese markets have cooled, and less Red Oak is moving to Europe amid the region’s vacation season. Kiln dried 4/4 Fas prices are succumbing to competitive pressures; the listings and low-end ranges are reduced. Meanwhile, the high-side ranges for 5/4 #1C edge up. Green Red Oak production is meeting the market’s needs and is supported by steady sales to residential flooring plants. Reported and observed transactions keep all green Red Oak listings steady despite reports that certain mills are accepting slightly lower 4/4 #1C prices to generate orders.

WHITE OAK

Demand is stronger for kiln dried plainsawn 4/4 Fas White Oak than for #1C. The same is true on the green side, supported by one sawmiller’s comment that he’s sold out of Fas&1f but has three loads of #1C looking for homes. Information warrants reductions to the listings for green 4/4 #1C, 5/4 #1C, and 4/4 #2A&3A. Weakness is similarly evident in kiln dried 4/4 #1C prices, prompting reductions to the listings and low-end ranges. Conversely, upward momentum continues for 6/4 Fas White Oak; the listings are raised for a second consecutive week, and the ranges also move higher in this edition. Notably, the 4/4 Fas listings hold steady for a 10th consecutive week, suggesting a price floor has been reached.

POPLAR

Mills, yards, distributors, and end users are processing or consuming steady amounts of Poplar. In recent weeks, there have been as many reports of level as of slightly bloated inventories. Reports are similarly mixed with Poplar as a best-selling species for some but a worst-seller for others. To better align with reported information, the green 4/4 Fas&1f listings are lowered by $20/MBF, but all other listings hold. Most kiln dried figures are also unchanged except for the 5/4 #1C listings, which are reduced by $10/MBF.

WALNUT

Supplies of green 4/4 through 6/4 #2A Walnut lag good market interest. Prices for these items continue to trend higher, and the listings are raised accordingly, joining gains to the 5/4 Fas&1f listings. Supplies of 4/4 #1C are slightly higher than demand, however, with reported prices prompting a reduction to the listing. Contacts continue to identify #1C and #2A as the best-selling grades of kiln dried Walnut. Prices in observed transactions for 8/4 Fas and 8/4 #2A Walnut have risen, driving increases to the listings and noted ranges.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Framestock production is sufficient for buyers’ current needs, which have increased slightly as tariffs and elevated shipping costs have made plywood imports more costly. The ranges for Oak and Mixed Species framestock hold steady.

Comments about pallet sector demand remain largely positive, including from one producer who says his cant production moves out “right away” to regular customers at steady prices. The cant listing and range accurately reflect reported prices. Most pallet industry contacts describe on-hand cant and lumber inventories as adequate, while finished goods sales are fair and inventories are adequate.

Some producers are reporting higher prices for crossties, resulting in an increase to the high end of the range in the Southern Appalachian area. Quotas remain in place, however, because treating yard inventories are elevated.

Survey respondents report fair-to-lower demand for board road. No changes are warranted to the listing or range.

International Comments

GENERAL

Please see our graphs.