The Northern Logger

One of the biggest challenges for forest products businesses is finding good workers and retaining them. The labor shortages across many industries in the US these last few years have made it even harder to attract and retain exceptional employees – essential to running a successful company. On this episode, five leaders in the industry share their thoughts, personal experiences, and the various things they are doing to attract and retain top-quality workers. We hear from Sam Lincoln, Brian Souers, Eric Kingsley, Jed Whiting, and Andy Irish. To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

Procurement forester Paul Snider talks to The Northern Logger about Baillie Lumber, a major hardwood lumber producer in the northeastern US. Paul speaks about Baillie's Boonville operation, his experiences as a procurement forester, how the industry has changed in recent years, and the current economic climate. He also offers some advice for young people who are interested in getting into the forest sector. This episode is sponsored by John Deere. Raise your game with Intelligent Boom Control. With IBC, loggers take control of the forest with easy-to-learn functionality and enhanced productivity. To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

Do you ever feel like a crooked tree? You're not alone. In this episode, Steven Bick introduces his Vermont Forest Business School (FBS) program by sharing a recording of an alumni session from earlier this year. During the workshop, participants discuss the lyrics to the song “Crooked Tree” by Molly Tuttle and use them as a jumping-off point for conversation around their personal experiences as professionals in the logging industry, including owning their own business, forestry best practices, and perceptions of the industry. Steven also gives a brief introduction to FBS, how it all got started, and how you can apply. Molly Tuttle's “Crooked Tree” lyricsListen to Molly Tuttle's “Crooked Tree” on YouTubeMore information about the Vermont Forest Business School: https://vtfbs.com/To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/ Magazine preview

Learn how Thompson Native Lumber, a mid-sized mill in Hopkinton, RI, has thrived for over six decades. The mill has maintained a healthy balance sheet through diversification and finding niche markets amid the ever-changing forest products industry landscape. You'll hear Jim Thompson discuss the evolution of his family-owned and operated mill since the mid-1950s, his diverse range of products, agile production methods, and more. Thanks to this month's sponsor, John Deere. Unlock your potential and experience a new level of innovation with Intelligent Boom Control (IBC), John Deere's latest operator assistance feature. To become a member of the Northeastern Loggers' Association or subscribe to The Northern Logger and Timber Processor magazine, visit https://www.northernlogger.com/

Thank you to our fabulous sponsor, John Deere!

Ed Berry is a Maine Logger who has worked the Kennebec River Land Base for over 60 years. This month, we heard his story.

Thank you to our sponsor, John Deere!

Mike shares his path into a career of running a one-person logging operation, his choice to stay non-mechanized and how Game of Logging revolutionized his safety practices.

Thank you to our awesome sponsor, John Deere!

This month, we interview Chris Crowe of Timberwolf Logging, 2020's NELA Award Winner for “Outstanding Use of Wood” and P&R Lumber, winner for “Outstanding Sawmill Operator”!

Thank you to our fantastic sponsor, John Deere!

We speak with Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester, about a new idea in forest management: slash walls for managing the deer population.

We spoke with longtime log trucker Jim Reynolds of Thurman, NY about the ins and outs of log trucking in the Adirondacks. Thanks to our generous sponsor, John Deere!

While the American hardwood sector has managed to hold its own over the past year of global trade, no one predicted the changes that 2020 would bring to the forest products economy. To catch up on the state of international hardwood trade, The Northern Logger podcast spoke with Mike Snow of the American Hardwood Export Council and Dana Cole of the Hardwood Federation.

On this month's Northern Logger podcast, we interviewed Kevin Braman, a logger in Central Vermont who works by himself and uses a chainsaw and skidder to get the job done. We spoke with Braman about his 35 years in the business and what he has learned about caring for the woods and growing good timber.

https://www.hearnehardwoods.com for speciality lumberThank you to our generous sponsor, John Deere!

It has been a rocky year for log and lumber markets, to say the least. In this month's podcast, we give an update on the state of the industry in the northeast and talk to friends of the podcast, procurement forester Allan Ryder and logger Andy Clark , about the state of things.

Candra Burns on Communication and Women Leadership in the Wood Products Industry

This month we spoke to Tom Eichler, who works in Sales for mills here in New York. It's no secret that the US hardwood market is heavily reliant on China's imports. Eichler talks about the impact the trade war has had on the mills he works for and how this trade dispute looks different than a recession.

In this episode, Northern Logger Editor Eileen Townsend takes a recorder around the annual Great Lake Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo in Escanaba, MI. She catches up with our northern correspondent Mike Monte, chats with a logging father and his son, a longtime logging yooper and Henry Schienebeck, the organizer behind the annual expo. This episode is sponsored by John Deere. Subscriptions, questions and comments can be addressed at eileen@northernlogger.com. Production and music by E.T. Townsend

We spent the day at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, speaking with two researchers -- Elizabeth Studer and Laurel Symes -- about their work at the historic site for forest research. We spoke with Studer and Symes about the future of the ash tree and what will happen when ash goes extinct, bioacoustics and birdsong, what “biogeochemistry” is, and the history of research forests.

We spent the day at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, speaking with two researchers -- Elizabeth Studer and Laurel Symes -- about their work at the historic site for forest research. We spoke with Studer and Symes about the future of the ash tree and what will happen when ash goes extinct, bioacoustics and birdsong, what “biogeochemistry” is, and the history of research forests.

We spent the day at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, speaking with two researchers -- Elizabeth Studer and Laurel Symes -- about their work at the historic site for forest research. We spoke with Studer and Symes about the future of the ash tree and what will happen when ash goes extinct, bioacoustics and birdsong, what “biogeochemistry” is, and the history of research forests.

The last big budworm outbreak took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Those who worked in the forest industry in Maine during that period are no stranger to the words “spruce budworm.” Learn what different states and Canada are doing different and the same this time to help the wood products industry through the outbreak.Thank you to our sponsor John Deere!

Subscribe to the corresponding print story on this rare and profitable logging technique at: https://northernlogger.com/shop/magazine-subscriptions/magazine-subscription/Also, thank you to our sponsor John Deere for making this show possible. Check out their fine products for all situations.Production by Emily Townsend

In this episode, our March cover girl, Tina Dyment tells all from breaking into a man's industry to advice for new truckers.Production by Emily TownsendMusic by Ben Sound

Our weekly digest of hand-picked industry news, read for you by Northern Logger Editor Eileen Townsend. Subscribe to our newsletter by emailing eileen@northernlogger.com with the subject “Sign Me Up!”

The Northern Logger investigates the wood products industry's relations with China, Canada and smaller markets.

A look forward into the 2019 year for the logging and wood products industry.

“O, Christmas TreeO, Christmas TreeHow lovely are thy branches”

A small group of researchers and industry leaders are exploring the viability of hybrid larch in the Northeast by searching out long forgotten stands.

In this mini episode of the Northern Logger, we talk with David Jarzab about his journey from a career in the military to Paul Smith's to the exciting beginnings of his business. Enjoy!

This month we explore folklore that is more fact than lore by looking into the mysterious phenomena of the Jumping Frenchman of Maine. Your editor, Eileen Townsend, also brings you interviews from some of the youngest members of the industry and their thoughts on the future and safety.Music credit:Chainsaw Calligraphy by 16 BitFrench American Folk Music (MIWI) French-Canadian fiddle tunes from Library of Congress Lomax CollectionA Note to Interested Advertisers:As Northern Logger Podcast listenership is growing, we are opening up slots for interested advertisers. If you would like the logging industry to hear about your business, organization or even health PSA, please contact The Northern Logger Editor, Eileen@northernlogger.com.

As anyone who works in this industry knows, workers' compensation rates vary widely from state to state. While Maine and New York have high participation in workplace payouts, states like Vermont are struggling to keep insurance rates low due to the scale of the industry and low participation rates.Experts in the forestry and insurance industry weigh-in on the successes and short comings of workers' comp in Maine, New York, and Vermont in this month's episode.A Note to Interested Advertisers:As Northern Logger Podcast listenership is growing, we are opening up slots for interested advertisers. If you would like the logging industry to hear about your business, organization or even health PSA, please contact The Northern Logger Editor, Eileen@northerlogger.com.

This month we address a few different aspects of the lumber and log export business. We hear from a handful of Northeast wood product exporters. We learn how they broke into international trade, as well as about their successes and challenges.As the phrase "trade war with China" haunts national headlines, it's hard not to think how this might affect the logging and timber industry. Several of our exporters also dive into the new inspection processes and tariffs that are having very real impacts on the industry.

The Logging Expo means two things, big iron and familiar faces. This month, Editor Eileen Townsend meanders through the Expo and speaks with many different parts of our industry. We hear again and again that the logging industry is a family.