Appalachian Comments

BIRCH

CHERRY

Cherry doesn’t get much interest from domestic markets. However, the species is utilized in high-end RV interior upfits, and total RV shipments were up 4.2% year-to-date through September, suggesting fractionally stronger demand. China is easily the largest foreign market for Cherry, accounting for 90% of total Cherry exports year-to-date through July. Trade data show Cherry shipments to China surged in March and June—months that allowed time to get containers to Chinese ports ahead of potential tariff spikes. This trend suggests trade data will also show stronger Cherry shipments to China in September, ahead of the tariff rate pause deadline in early November (and before Presidents Trump and Xi agreed to a one-year trade truce last week). No changes are warranted to the green listings. In kiln dried, information necessitates gains to the listings and ranges for 4/4 #2A in the Appalachian region but declines to the listings and high end ranges for 4/4 #1C in the North Central.

HICKORY

Hickory production has increased seasonally with cooler weather, but demand for some items—primarily from flooring plants—equals the additional output. The listings for green 4/4 through 8/4 #2B&Btr are aligned with prices in observed transactions. Consistent purchasing of green stocks by secondary manufacturers is limiting kiln throughput, keeping kiln dried inventories manageable. Most kiln dried figures accurately reflect prices observed in the marketplace, but gains are warranted to the high end ranges for 4/4 #2A.

HARD MAPLE

Production of this species lagged buyers’ needs for several items through summer and into early fall, before outpacing needs in September and early October. More recently, green supplies have aligned with lower demand. The only change this week lowers the listing for 4/4 #2A in the #1&2 White color designation. Kiln dried markets have slowed in recent weeks, with downward price pressure initially evident for Fas but now impacting some common grade items. The listings for #1&2 White 8/4 #1C and low end ranges for 5/4 #2A are reduced.

SOFT MAPLE

Reported prices for green Fas&1f Soft Maple are rising, driving increases to the listings for Sap&Btr 4/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f. Business activity is stronger for #1C&Btr than for #2A. Kiln dried order files are in good shape, but more contacts identified Soft Maple among their bestselling species in early October than at the end of October. Low supplies combine with decent demand to lift the 5/4 Fas listings and low end ranges in both color designations, while the high side ranges for Unselected 8/4 #1C also rise.

#2&3A OAK

Gathered information shows truck trailer and residential flooring manufacturers slowed purchasing of 4/4 #2A&3A Red Oak in October—by 10% to as much as 30%—after receipts increased in September. Meanwhile, receipts of 5/4 #2A&3A Red Oak rose for some truck trailer flooring plants but fell for others, with small percentage changes in either direction. Recent purchasing patterns for #2A&3A White Oak have been similar to Red Oak. In response, some sawmills have put more of the log into cants and have had no issues moving their full production. Overall supplies of #2A&3A Oak are aligned with demand, holding all prices steady. The #2A Alone Red Oak price is likewise unchanged.

RED OAK

Sawmillers report decent sales of #1C&Btr Red Oak to concentration yards and end users. Transaction information pushes the listings down for 5/4 through 8/4 Fas&1f, but all other green listings are unchanged. Kiln dried operations are noting the start of seasonally slower domestic demand, while also reporting an uptick in inquiries from China that contacts say are more likely to turn into orders for delivery after the Chinese New Year rather than before. Previous changes have most kiln dried figures in order. However, the listings for 6/4 and 8/4 Fas are lowered, as are the noted range figures for 8/4 Fas and 4/4 #2A.

WHITE OAK

Demand for White Oak is flat at the same time supplies of kiln dried 4/4 #1C&Btr continue to loosen up. Reported prices are retreating, requiring reductions to the listings and noted range figures for 4/4 #1C&Btr. With this week’s $25 decline, the net tally 4/4 Fas price has fallen $650 from this year’s peak in mid-January. The 4/4 #1C price decline has been more gradual, falling by $135 since early May. Markets still don’t want much Fas in 8-foot lengths, even at reduced prices. Conversely, kiln dried 8/4 #2A prices are rising, due to limited supplies.

POPLAR

Comments about Poplar are neither exciting nor negative, essentially putting the species in the “stable” category after some demand and price fluctuations in summer and early fall. A concentration yard contact said, “With Poplar, the good thing is we can turn our kilns three times a month and generate cash flow. It’s not exciting and it isn’t a lot of money, but it is enough to pay some bills.” In kiln dried, the only increases lift the low end ranges for 5/4 Fas. All the green listings are unchanged despite reports of readily available supplies.

WALNUT

Fewer changes in recent weeks to the listings for green Walnut—and no changes in this edition—suggest availability is improving from the extremely tight levels that resulted from brisk log shipments to Vietnam. One seller reports stronger Walnut lumber demand from Vietnam, primarily for 4/4 and 5/4 #1C and #2A. Another says, “Some kiln dried Walnut items are more positive, though demand could be stronger.” The listings for 4/4 #2A rise, as do the high end ranges for 5/4 #1C and #2A.