Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from September 12, 2025.

Appalachian sawmill production rose half a percentage point in August over July, following a 12.9% decrease in July from June. Production gains were largest in Pennsylvania, by volume, and in Missouri, by percentage (24%). One producer reported the best sales month of the year in August, but most are describing sales as fair, slow, or bad. Exporters are rushing to get containers to China before the new tariff pause deadline window, November 10th. Trade data will likely show Red Oak shipments to China rose in August, but larger volumes aren’t resulting in higher kiln dried Red Oak prices. This suggests that as low as Red Oak inventories are, trade uncertainties are the bigger concern.

ASH

The upper grades are moving well and #1C business is stable, but #2A sales are slow. Green Ash production is meeting demand, and the green listings reflect prices reported in the marketplace. Information gathered this week keeps all of the kiln dried listings intact, but warrants decreases to the low end ranges for 4/4 and 5/4 Fas and for 4/4 #2A.

BASSWOOD

Mills are not sawing much Basswood. However, in limited transactions, sales are more frequent for 4/4 and 8/4 than for all other thicknesses. No changes are warranted to any green or kiln dried figures this week.

BEECH

CHERRY

Producers are reporting stronger activity for Cherry from China during the early phase of the second 90-day pause on elevated tariffs rates. “Stronger” is relative, however, considering Cherry exports to China in July were the second lowest of the year (May), and the lowest for any July in a decade. For some suppliers, kiln dried inventories have edged lower. Higher reported prices raise the 4/4 Fas listings in the North Central region and the 4/4 #1C listings and top side range figures in the Appalachia region. Information reflects little change in green prices, keeping all listings intact.

HICKORY

Hickory remains on some sellers’ lists of worst-moving species, with Fas the slowest-moving grade. However, good volumes of the common grades, especially #2A and #2B, are moving steadily to flooring plants. Reported prices raise all green #2B listings and the listing for green 4/4 #1C. Kiln dried markets are slow, with exports down 23% year-over-year through July and shipments lower in each of the first seven months of the year than in the corresponding months last year. Because production has been low for an extended period of time, kiln dried supplies are aligned with demand, and no changes are required to kiln dried listings or ranges.

HARD MAPLE

Over the last few weeks, demand for this species has shifted from higher for Fas than for #1C to higher for #1C than for Fas. Some contacts report stronger sales of green 4/4 #1&2 White #1C to cabinet manufacturers and others say they are sold out of kiln dried #1C. Conversely, many producers have unsold Fas available for sale, but inventory levels are not worrisome. Most reported green prices are grouped around the respective listings, but information lifts the listings for green 6/4 #1C in both color sorts. Transactions also keep most kiln dried figures unchanged, but reported kiln dried 4/4 #1C prices are rising, driving gains to the listings in both color designations.

SOFT MAPLE

Soft Maple producers report good market conditions for kiln dried Sap&Btr Fas and #1C, but little interest for #2A in either color sort. Most items marked in surveys as slow movers involve brown #1C and #2A, though some contacts state that demand is not any better for brown Fas. Current transactions point out upward price movement for kiln dried 4/4 Sap&Btr #1C&Btr, and the listings are raised. The listings for Unselected 4/4 Fas are also lifted, but the listings for 4/4 #2A lose ground.

#2&3A OAK

Residential flooring plants are asking for more #2A&3A Red Oak. Sawmill production has not gained traction this summer, as expected, and competition for #2A&3A Oak from truck trailer manufacturers is ramping up after waning in spring. Both residential and truck trailer flooring plants have struggled to keep inventories at desired levels. Truck trailer manufacturers are offering premiums to ensure adequate receipts, as are some residential flooring producers. All 4/4 through 8/4 #2A&3A Red Oak listings rise, and the listing for #2A Alone also increases. Truck trailer plants also want more White Oak, while domestic flooring plants need less. No changes are warranted to the listings #2A&3A White Oak.

RED OAK

Kiln dried Red Oak business has more energy, with exporting sawmills and yards sending multiple containers to China during the pause in tariff rates. However, the tenor of contact comments differs based on production versus price. Contacts state Red Oak “has a home” and inventories aren’t backing up, but prices are low. Some exporting sawmills are reducing kiln dried 4/4 #1C&Btr Red Oak prices to generate orders from China. Domestic Red Oak business is insufficient to give producers much leverage over foreign buyers. Transactions show downward price movement for kiln dried 4/4 Fas and #2A, and for 5/4 Fas. Those listings and noted ranges are reduced. Supplies of green 4/4 through 8/4 #1C&Btr Red Oak are aligned with demand, but shortages of #2A&3A Red Oak lift all listings for #2A&3A and for 4/4 #2A Alone.

WHITE OAK

European demand for White Oak typically increases after the July/August vacation period. Thus far, contacts are reporting low demand from the UK. Conversely, sales are stronger to China during the current 90-day pause on elevated tariff rates. Domestically, demand is stronger for rift and quartered White Oak than for plainsawn, though plainsawn still moves out. Prices observed in kiln dried transactions show little movement for most items, indicating supplies are closely aligned with demand. The listings for kiln dried 8/4 Fas are reduced, but all of the other kiln dried figures are unchanged. In green, reported 6/4 and 8/4 #1C prices are edging higher, and the listings are increased.

POPLAR

Supply and demand for Poplar are in balance. Activity varies by grade, with Fas moving better than #1C, and business is better for #1C than for #2A. Mill order files are decent, and steady volumes of #1C&Btr are moving to concentration yards and secondary manufacturers. All Poplar figures stand pat, with the exception of a reduction to the listing for green 6/4 #1C.

WALNUT

Green Walnut prices continue to rise. Historically low sawmill production combined with log exports are creating green lumber shortages, but Walnut log exports to Vietnam did slow a bit in July from the near-record level in June. Through July, Walnut log exports to Vietnam are up 11-fold over the first seven months of 2024. The 4/4 through 8/4 #2A&Btr listings are increased. The spread between green and kiln dried prices is declining, due to stagnant demand for kiln dried stocks and increased interest in building green inventories. All of the kiln dried figures hold steady, with the exceptions of gains to the 4/4 #2A listings and low sides of the ranges and to the 5/4 #2A listings.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Alternative products continue to take market share away from solid hardwood framestock in the upholstered furniture manufacturing sector. At the same time, demand for new furniture is slow. Not much framestock is wanted, therefore very little is produced. Reported prices allow the Oak and Mixed Species ranges to stand.

Demand for hardwood cants is steady and is absorbing developing supplies. The listing and range reflect prices observed in the marketplace.

Green tie inventories topped 20 million for a seventh consecutive month in June, falling three months shy of the 10-month stretch from late-2016 through summer 2017. Accordingly, tie purchases remain at replacement levels. Price movement is limited, and the 7x9 crosstie ranges stand in each producing area.

In ongoing business, demand for board road, is steady. Reported prices are holding at previous levels, allowing the listing and range to stand.

International Comments

GENERAL

Please see our graphs.