Timber Talk 12/30/2025
- Jenna Reese
- Dec 29, 2025
- 9 min read
OFA Update
Support our Year-End Giving Campaign
As 2025 comes to a close, we have an ambitious goal: raise $7,000 by 4:00 PM on December 31 to strengthen and expand the programs that shape Ohio’s forestry future.
Your gift to the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation supports:
College scholarships for future forestry professionals
Conservation education grants for schools and communities
Camp Canopy, inspiring the next generation of forest stewards.
And in 2026, your generosity will help us launch exciting new initiatives:
A forest products industry interactive display at the Ohio State Fair
A dedicated white oak management fund to protect this vital species
A stronger relationship with the next generation of forestry professionals in Ohio FFA.
Register for Annual Meeting!
Now is the time to book your hotel and register for our Annual Meeting for 2026 members. The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held March 11-12, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Columbus Ohio. The event begins on Wednesday, March 11th with our President’s Reception at Middle West Distillery. Come join us and experience the perfect collaboration between Ohio's Forest and Grain production. This is sure to be a fun evening of networking with your peers. The meeting will continue Thursday with a full day of industry sessions and our annual awards luncheon. We hope to see you there!
Buses leave the Hyatt every 15 minutes starting at 4:30.
Register for Annual Meeting HERE
Book your hotel HERE using code G-FRST. Check in at 3:00pm, Check out at 12:00pm.
Submit your nominations for conservation awards HERE
Download the full schedule below.
End-of-Year Membership Renewals
As a reminder, the OFA board approved an end-of-the-year membership renewal process in 2023 to replace the anniversary renewal system we had been using. This is the third year for this change, and we have already seen an improvement in operations. You can expect to receive a renewal packet in early December by mail including a letter highlighting any major changes for OFA in the last year, an inventory of the benefits you received in 2025, corporate sponsorship opportunities, an agenda and lodging details for the 2026 annual meeting, information about the Real American Hardwood Coalition and how to get involved, and your membership invoice. Please return invoices with payment by January 1, 2026, to ensure your membership remains uninterrupted. Please feel free to renew your membership online at any time by logging in to your account. Please email kalah@ohioforest.org if you need assistance logging in or making a payment.
Please ensure that we have your current address on file.
Working in Winter Weather
Winter Driving
Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can promote safe driving behavior by ensuring workers: recognize the hazards of winter weather driving, for example, driving on snow/ice covered roads; are properly trained for driving in winter weather conditions; and are licensed (as applicable) for the vehicles they operate. For information about driving safely during the winter, visit OSHA's Safe Winter Driving page.
Employers should set and enforce driver safety policies. Employers should also implement an effective maintenance program for all vehicles and mechanized equipment that workers are required to operate. Crashes can be avoided. Learn more at: Motor Vehicle Safety (OSHA Safety and Health Topic’s Page).
Market Update
HardwoodReview Forecasting
Year-end lumber sales “aren’t setting anything on fire,” as one contact put it, but we are surprised at the number of hardwood companies concluding that 2025 was “not too bad,” especially in terms of lumber sales volumes. With KD-green margins compressed, however, and most manufacturing and overhead costs higher, few saw higher profits in 2025, and those that did—or came close to matching 2024—were generally secondary manufacturers or lumber producers that shifted focus to more specialized products and/or value-added services. Many are now expecting a market turnaround to begin in Q2, though opinions are mixed as to whether it will be driven by new demand or additional industry attrition.
The Sep spike in Red Oak exports to China may have been an early indicator that Chinese demand will rebound after Lunar New Year. However, exporters say Chinese buyers still aren’t willing to pay the KD prices necessary to cover green lumber costs, and the rapidly growing flow of hardwood lumber sawn in Vietnam from U.S. logs isn’t going to help. Most are aware of the explosive growth in Walnut log exports to Vietnam, but Red Oak, White Oak, Ash, Cherry and Maple logs also soared to Vietnam in 2025. Expect this to be an even more contentious issue next year.
Legislative Update
The following is brought to us by our national partner, the Forest Resources Association (FRA)
European Union Deforestation Regulation
The European Union (EU) has advanced a delay of its Deforestation Regulation. The European Parliament approved the extension on November 26, and the Council reached a provisional agreement on December 4. Parliament will hold votes next week from December 15–18, with the EUDR delay ratification expected during this session. Once ratified, enforcement will begin on December 30, 2026, for large operators and June 30, 2027, for small operators.
Rep. Austin Scott posted that he spoke with President Trump and Secretary Rollins about the EUDR. Scott described the regulation as unfair and burdensome for U.S. landowners and the forest industry. In response, President Trump stressed that Europe should not be telling Americans how to manage their land and requested a two-paragraph summary of the EUDR's impacts on the forestry sector. U.S. exporters supply $3.5 billion in forest products to the EU annually.
Secure Rural Schools Act Heads to the President's Desk
Congress has moved to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program (S.356), with the House voting overwhelmingly on December 9 to extend funding through fiscal year 2026. Following unanimous Senate approval, the measure will restore lapsed payments from 2024 and 2025 and deliver essential support to rural counties that rely on SRS revenues for schools, roads, and public safety. This bipartisan action marks a significant win for forest‑dependent communities, where large portions of forestland are federally owned, ensuring greater stability for local governments and reversing the steep funding losses caused by the program’s 2023 expiration. The bill now heads to the President for signature into law.
Rep. Doug LaMalfa stated, “For rural counties, Secure Rural Schools funding is essential. These payments help keep schools open, keep roads maintained, and help ensure sheriff, fire, and emergency services remain in place when federal timber revenues fall short. When the program lapsed, rural schools and counties were cut short of the funding they rely on to provide basic services. This bill restores that funding and keeps future payments on schedule. What we actually need is to rebuild a strong timber economy so these areas can rely on real revenue again.”
H-2B Visas
On December 9, 2025, the H‑2B Workforce Coalition announced that more than 2,200 small businesses are urging the Trump Administration to immediately release the 64,716 supplemental H‑2B visas authorized by law, citing severe labor shortages across seasonal industries such as landscaping, hospitality, forestry, construction, recreation, seafood processing, and housing. Employers stressed that these visas are critical to sustaining operations, protecting American jobs, and keeping goods and services affordable, while industry leaders warned that delays threaten their ability to meet demand during peak seasons and major upcoming events. With bipartisan support from one‑third of the Senate and over 40 Representatives, the coalition emphasized that releasing the visas is a legal, economically sound action that strengthens the U.S. economy, supports rural and seasonal communities, and ensures businesses can operate at full capacity. FRA serves on the coalition’s steering committee, underscoring the forest industry’s reliance on H‑2B forestry workers and its leadership in advocating for timely visa releases.
Expedited Permitting Legislation Up in the House
On Monday, December 15, the House Rules Committee will meet to structure parameters for House floor consideration of the Standardized Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act--H.R. 4776. This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), would streamline environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It also includes several provisions intended to increase certainty for project sponsors by limiting when federal agencies may revisit or undo prior environmental reviews or federal authorizations. The bill enjoys bipartisan support and is expected to pass the House next week.
Renewable Fuel Standard Legislation
Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Representative Cliff Bentz (R-OR) are contemplating the effects of the Fuels from Forests Act. The legislation would broadly expand the statutory definition of “renewable biomass” in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to qualify fiber derived from private and public lands, as well as mill residuals. This measure is a high priority for forest landowners and others in the forest products value chain eager to boost markets for wood fiber. The measure is opposed by other segments that are concerned that expanding the RFS definition could create excessive demand on fiber baskets and drive up wood procurement costs. Evidently, Senator Boozman is looking to recruit Senate Democrats as cosponsors before introducing the bill. FRA, with its broad membership, remains neutral on this issue but is monitoring the situation and will keep you apprised of developments.
Safety Update
Sedgwick Safety Services
Safe Rooftop Snow Removal at Work: Protecting Employees from Winter Hazards
As winter approaches, businesses must address the challenges of snow accumulation on rooftops. Removing snow is crucial to avoid structural damage and ensure safe operations, as it can pose significant risk to workers if a collapse were to occur. However, rooftop work comes with its own inherent dangers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of fatalities and injuries when removing snow and ice from rooftops.
Rooftop snow removal work can expose personnel to various hazards including:
Falls from roof edges
Falls through skylights
Falls from ladders
Electrical injuries from contact with overhead wires
Cold-related issues like frostbite and hypothermia
Overexertion leading to muscle strains
To prepare for safe snow removal, employers should first assess the roof’s structural integrity and load-bearing capacity, and ensure the location of skylights and the roof edge are well marked with flags or by other means. Once that is complete, determine the most effective way to clear snow and ice and apply ice-preventing chemicals, when needed. In most cases, the safest way is from the ground using long-handled tools or draglines. If that is not an option, aerial lifts can generally provide employees safer access to the roof than ladders, especially when there is a significant accumulation of snow on the ground. Ladders should only be used when absolutely necessary. If a ladder is necessary, use it only to access the roof. Never use tools such as a snow rake or shovel while standing on the ladder; doing so may cause the employee to fall.
When working at heights of four feet or more, OSHA requires that employers provide guardrails, safety nets or personal fall arrest systems. If the roof does not have a tall enough parapet wall or standard guardrail in place, then some other form of fall protection must be used. Employers must ensure that employees are trained on the proper use, care and inspection of fall protection equipment including lanyard, harness, self-retracting lifeline, etc. Additional requirements are found in OSHA 1910.28 and 1926 Subpart M.
Electrical hazards are another concern when clearing off rooftop snow. To minimize the risk of electrocution, maintain at least a 10-foot clearance from power lines, use non-conductive tools and ensure that electrical equipment is grounded.
Cold weather exacerbates the dangers of frostbite and hypothermia. Employers can help by providing warm, layered clothing, encouraging frequent breaks in heated areas and ensuring workers stay hydrated with water or electrolyte drinks. Ensure employees are trained on the signs and symptoms of frostbite, hypothermia and other cold-stress conditions that affect the body.
To help prevent muscle strains, review proper lifting techniques and encourage employees to push the snow rather than use a shovel to lift it. Warm-up stretches prior to starting work can also help prevent muscle strains. Also, if employees use a snow thrower, they should be trained on its proper operation, the correct PPE to use and safe ways to raise and lower the snow thrower to and from the roof.
One final concern is for anyone working on the ground near where the roof is being cleared. Falling snow and ice can pose a serious danger to workers and bystanders below. Best practices include establishing an exclusion zone of at least 10 feet from snow removal areas, using signs and barriers to limit access and requiring hard hats and eye protection for those working nearby.
While rooftop snow removal is necessary, it is important to be aware of the hazards. Employers must engage in careful planning, provide proper training and equipment and adhere to OSHA guidelines to ensure worker safety. Additionally, employees must apply what they have learned to prevent injuries to themselves or fellow workers. By taking these precautions, businesses can protect their employees and reduce winter-related workplace injuries.
If you would like to know more about Sedgwick’s safety services or would like to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact Andy Sawan at andrew.sawan@sedgwick.com or 330-819-4728.
Additional Links
Sedgwick Workers' Comp Article
ECOFA Newsletter
NEOFA Newsletter
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