Sawmills in the south were hit hard by the recession. A steep decline in the housing market accelerated plant closings and job losses. However, new research shows good news for the timber industry.
A nearly $200 million Weyerhaeuser project in Dierks, Arkansas could be a sign of good things to come for the timber industry. Mayor Terry Mounts says the Dierks mill is number one in production for the company. “There’s an abundance of timber around us. You can go in any direction you want to, and you can have timber in this mill in just a short period of time,” said Mounts.
Forestry Instructor Dr. Kyle Cunningham with the University of Arkansas says the housing market recession of 2007 had a big impact on the state’s timber markets, especially in the southwest region where pine timber is most predominant. He believes the industry is finally making a comeback.
“The way things are looking right now I think we’ll see a steady rebound in pricing,” said Cunningham. He says prices for all products have remained steady or experienced slight increases since 2013. “For the first time in awhile we’re growing more wood than we’re harvesting,” said Cunningham.
However, he says the recession cut back the number of people harvesting timber. Therefore, forests are becoming more dense and older, which leave them more susceptible to insects, disease, and drought.
From KTBS 3 News: https://www.ktbs.com/story/30388245/timber-industry-is-making-a-comeback-in-swar