Appalachian Comments

GENERAL

Comments from March 20, 2026.

Hardwood lumber production in the Appalachian region rose 4.1% in February over January, lagging the 11.4% increase in the Northern region and the 12.8% increase in the South. Though the impacts of winter storms on production dissipated across most of the region by mid-February, snow, cold temperatures, and icy roads continued to hamper production in areas where those conditions are typical for this time of the year. Supplies of most species are meeting buyers’ needs, though not all species are amply supplied. Markets are wanting more Cherry and Hickory but less White Oak. There is more Soft Maple and Hard Maple price consistency in March, relative to frequent changes to the listings and ranges in January and February. January 2026 exports of US hardwood lumber were the strongest in three months but were 12.0% lower year over year and the lowest for any January since 2010. Contacts report fair to slower demand for hardwood lumber from China this week. Over the last few weeks, more contacts have reported slower demand for hardwood lumber than reported fair or good demand. All exporters note slow shipments to the Middle East, corresponding with the US bombing of Iran and associated rising tensions across the region.

ASH

Mills that would like to saw more Ash continue to face challenges building their log decks, due to weather-related poor logging conditions and overall resource scarcity caused by the Emerald Ash Borer. Demand is stronger for #1C&Btr than for #2A. No changes are required to any green listings and to nearly all kiln dried prices. However, reported kiln dried 4/4 #2A prices have a downward bias that warrants reductions to the listings and ranges, which ends a seven-week stretch of steady pricing.

BASSWOOD

Basswood is a minor species in the Appalachian region, even less prevalent than in the North. Most production runs are small. Supply and demand remain balanced. The published figures are aligned with reported prices.

BEECH

CHERRY

The supply of Cherry logs available for sawing remains tight in parts of the North Central region because some mills are receiving higher prices for their logs than average prices for lumber. Yards are still chasing green Cherry lumber as kiln dried lumber is moving well to China. The only changes to the kiln dried figures occur in the North Central subregion, raising the listings and ranges for 5/4 Fas, 6/4 Fas, and 4/4 #2A. The listings for 5/4 #1C also move up. Prior increases have all green North Central figures in order, while reported prices lift the listings for 4/4 #1C, #2A, and #3A in the Appalachian area.

HICKORY

The adage that demand for Hickory is either hot or cold continues to apply on the “hot” side of the ledger. This species is among one yard’s best-selling items, echoing similar comments from green mills. Green supplies are aligned with demand, keeping all the listings intact. However, markets are demanding more kiln dried 4/4 #1C&Btr, and those listings and noted range figures are raised.

HARD MAPLE

Green Hard Maple production has slowed, better balancing supply with purchasing by end users and concentration yards. Most of this week’s pricing information is clustered around the respective #1&2 White and Unselected listings, which remain intact. Cabinet and wood component manufacturers are consistently buying kiln dried Hard Maple, including considerable volumes of brown material. Prices in observed business hold all the published figures in place.

SOFT MAPLE

Demand is stronger for Soft Maple than Hard Maple, with sales moving at a fair pace to manufacturers of cabinets, moulding and millwork, wood components, and even case goods. Some yards, however, are reporting increased availability and correspondingly softer purchase pricing. Yet, all green and kiln dried figures are unchanged in both color classifications. Brown 4/4 Fas Soft Maple remains in strong demand, selling easier than Sap&Btr Fas for some producers.

#2&3A OAK

Residential flooring plants are increasing receipts of #2A&3A Red Oak, ensuring adequate supplies as production and sales of finished goods ramp up seasonally. #2A&3A Oak lumber sales to some truck trailer plants increased in February but declined to others; contacts report steady to slower sales in March. Prices in most observed Red Oak transactions are little changed over the last few weeks, and the listings for #2A&3A and #2A Alone remain intact. Most reported #2A&3A White Oak prices are similarly unchanged following last week’s reductions.

RED OAK

As the most prevalent species across the Appalachian region—and with production seasonally shifting away from whitewoods—Red Oak output will likely increase in the weeks ahead. Presently, markets are absorbing developing supplies, holding prices steady following declines for certain items in prior weeks. Kiln dried #1C&Btr moves at a fair pace to domestic and Chinese buyers, though only 4/4 Fas prices have an upward bias that lifts the listings and low ends of the ranges. The published figures are in order for 5/4 and 6/4 stock, while information lowers the noted range figures for 8/4 Fas and #1C.

WHITE OAK

Demand for this species is good enough for several contacts to list it among their bestsellers, as they have done for several months. Yet interest in White Oak logs from the stave sector is way off, resulting in higher #1C&Btr lumber production. Downward price pressures continue, driving another round of reductions to the listings for 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f. On the other hand, reported kiln dried prices have stabilized, allowing the 4/4 Fas listings to hold steady for the seventh consecutive week and the 4/4 #1C listings to hold steady for the fourth straight week.

POPLAR

According to a large wood products manufacturer, its utilization of Poplar shifted strongly toward the US commercial sector in 2025 and continues in 2026. The uptick stems from a combination of stronger commercial construction activity, certain competitors exiting the market, and tariffs increasing the cost of foreign-made competitive products. International activity lacks energy, especially for the common grades. Reported green and kiln dried transactions point out pricing consistent with last week, allowing all but the kiln dried 4/4 #2A listings to stand. With this week’s decline, the net listing for 4/4 #2A has fallen $30 over the last month after showing no movement over the prior four months.

WALNUT

Markets for Walnut have slowed from the fast pace that occurred from last fall through early 2026. Reported prices have stabilized following steady runups, allowing the listings to stand, even as some buyers previously stated it was possible their purchase prices and volumes would fall back in March. Kiln dried supplies are now meeting buyers’ needs after lagging demand for certain items, primarily in 4/4 and 5/4. The #2A&Btr listings and ranges are reflective of recent activity.

FRAMESTOCK, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD

Little changed over the last week for framestock: limited supplies are sufficient for buyers’ limited needs. The ranges for Oak and Mixed species framestock hold steady.

Sales contacts are experiencing fair to somewhat stronger demand for cants, while pallet manufacturers report adequate raw material and finished goods inventories. Previous adjustments have the cant listing and range in order.

Demand for new crossties remains weak due to high existing inventories and limited capital spending by railroads amid potential mergers. Railroad companies Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern—currently engaged in merger discussions—plan to re-file their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board at the end of April, after the Board rejected their initial application as incomplete. Transactions point out steady 7x9 crosstie pricing.

Markets for board road have not gained traction from the tepid levels seen for months. Rising oil prices tend to increase oil production and associated spending on infrastructure, but these are early days. For now, supply and demand for board road in the Appalachian region are balanced, and reported prices are static.

International Comments

GENERAL

Please see our graphs.