Comments from July 24, 2026.
The most noteworthy trend in the Northern hardwood market at the present time is softness in green Hard Maple prices. Demand for the species is still good, according to contacts, but higher temperatures are spurring producers to move their green production for lower prices in order to prevent potential staining. Hard Maple was one the best-performing species in the North during the spring, far outperforming Appalachian Hard Maple, but those earlier price gains are now being given up.
Similarly, Red Oak prices have also recently come under downward pressure after a solid first half of the year, during which prices routinely increased. Markets for the species seem poised for further losses amid a slowdown in Chinese demand and a likely uptick in production following the lifting of Oak Wilt restrictions in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.
ASH: Ash is still moving well for contacts in the Northern region, particularly for export, though recent reports of a slowdown in Chinese demand could stymie this going forward. Tight supplies caused by the Emerald Ash Borer are providing steady upward pressure to prices and limiting any downside. Both green and kiln dried prices have risen gradually since December and are at or near the highest levels in close to four years. All listings and ranges are in order this week following gains in recent issues.
ASPEN: Similar to Ash, limited production is working to limit any downside in the Northern region Aspen market. Contacts report that supplies of the species are tight, especially for Fas items. While no contacts have listed it among their bestsellers in recent weeks, neither have any listed it among their worst-sellers. Those mills that are still cutting the species are consistently receiving inquiries and are able to move it at steady-to-firmer prices. Published prices for both green and kiln dried Aspen have risen gradually since the spring of 2025 and are at the highest levels in roughly three years. Reported green and kiln dried prices are well represented by the respective listings and ranges.
BASSWOOD: The Basswood market remains a mixed bag for producers in the Northern region. One mill operator reported a recent uptick in inquiries for kiln dried 6/4 #1C as well as solid demand for kiln dried 4/4 #1C&Btr and 8/4 items. The same contact said they’re able to move most Basswood items easily, though he attributed this to the fact that they have diverse markets in the US and internationally. Other mills, both in the Upper Midwest and Northeast, have listed the species among their worst-sellers and are struggling to move it. All Basswood listings and range numbers are unchanged this week.
BIRCH: The Birch market is still sluggish in the Northern region. Many mills are avoiding cutting the species because it is either unprofitable or difficult to move. This lack of production is the primary reason Birch prices have not eroded much the last couple of months, as mills are almost universally reporting weak demand. What little interest there is in Birch is mainly centered on Sap&Btr or red color sorts, especially for #1C&Btr lumber. Both green and kiln dried Birch prices have been on a continual downward trend since late 2022 and are at the lowest levels in roughly five-and-a-half years. Prices gathered this week keep all the published green and kiln dried figures intact.
HARD MAPLE: All green Hard Maple listings in both color sorts fall in this edition amid numerous reports of lower prices from contacts in the Northern region. A buyer for one area yard told HMR/Fastmarkets that green producers are having to accept lower prices in order to move Hard Maple loads before they stain due to higher temperatures. Comments about demand for Hard Maple are still mostly positive, however, and it remains a commonly listed bestseller. Even so, markets are now characterized by excess supply, especially on the green side. Kiln dried prices have also come under downward pressure; all 4/4 through 6/4 #1C listings and several #1C range numbers fall this week in both color classifications. Also of note, kiln dried Fas Hard Maple is selling in extremely wide price ranges, especially for thick stock. Producers in the Upper Midwest are fetching higher prices than their counterparts in the Northeast US and Eastern Canada.
SOFT MAPLE: Most Northern region producers are struggling to move Soft Maple. It’s been a commonly listed worst-seller in recent weeks, and market participants are reporting that the species is amply supplied. Consequently, prices for most green and kiln dried items have been trending downward for close to two months. Hard Maple is still comparatively cheaper in the region, and the cabinet sector—which is the primary demand driver for Soft Maple—has mostly been described as “fair” by survey respondents. A sales contact in Michigan told HMR/Fastmarkets that customers are bidding aggressively lower for kiln dried Fas and that demand for #1C and #2A has been slow, with both grades currently selling at a loss. Reported prices lower the 4/4 Fas listings and ranges in both color sorts, along with the Sap&Btr 5/4 Fas figures and low ends of the 4/4 #1C ranges. Meanwhile, higher trading ranges are noted for kiln dried Sap&Btr 5/4 #2A.
RED OAK: The buyer for a kiln drying operation in the Upper Midwest told HMR/Fastmarkets that he has been receiving more calls from green producers, which indicates that Red Oak inventories are building in the region. Overall Red Oak exports have fallen recently, according to contacts, amid a summertime slowdown in Chinese demand. This decrease in a key demand-driver for the species, along with an expected seasonal increase in production, may weigh on Red Oak prices in the near term. Downward pressure is evident for some kiln dried items this week, lowering the 4/4 and 5/4 Fas listings, along with the 4/4 #1C and 5/4 Fas range numbers. However, reported green prices are in line with the current listings, holding them all steady.
WHITE OAK: The market for Northern White Oak is maintaining the same steady-to-softer posture it’s been in since March. The species has been in a state of oversupply since early 2025 amid reduced consumption by the barrel stave sector. Prices have been working to find a floor since, and despite increased forward purchasing of the species in recent months, reported prices still show a downward bias. Producers with lots of 9-foot and longer stock or who are able to provide minimal sapwood are selling their kiln dried Fas loads for prices well above the current HMR listing, but prices for random length loads are still relatively soft. Prior adjustments have all the green and kiln dried listings and ranges in order this week.
PALLET LUMBER, CANTS, TIES, & BOARD ROAD: The market for pallets and cants in the Northern region is maintaining its strength for producers amid a seasonal uptick in demand. Both ends of the cant range are raised this week. The cant listing is up $25 over the past seven weeks.
At least one tie treating operation in the Upper Midwest is issuing more crosstie orders, but most other facilities are maintaining quotas. No changes are warranted to the price range at this point.
Market conditions for board road are unchanged in the region, and the listing and range are flat.