Forestry & Logging NAICS 113

May 28, 2026 - Weyerhaeuser Leverages AI to Boost Forestry Efficiency

• Weyerhaeuser is investing heavily in artificial intelligence to modernize forestry and boost profits, aiming to increase annual earnings by $1 billion by decade’s end, according to The Wall Street Journal. The company is developing tools such as autonomous logging equipment, real-time production optimization, and a digital twin of its vast timberlands using satellite, drone, and lidar data. AI is also being used to monitor equipment, improve logistics across thousands of miles of logging roads, and assess seedling survival rates more efficiently. Executives say these efforts build on decades of forestry data and could enhance decision-making, reduce costs, and improve long-term yields, even as housing market weakness has weighed on the company’s stock.
• The New York Times reports that the Trump administration plans to close 57 US Forest Service research labs and eliminate its $309 million research budget, raising concerns about wildfire preparedness and environmental management. Officials say the reorganization will cut costs and shift research responsibilities to universities, states, and private groups, while consolidating operations in Fort Collins, Colorado. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and scientists, argue the cuts could weaken science-based decision-making as climate change intensifies drought and wildfire risks. The plan also includes major staff reductions and relocation of offices, prompting opposition from lawmakers and outdoor recreation companies. Researchers warn that losing long-term data and local expertise could hinder efforts to manage forests, protect water supplies, and respond effectively to increasingly severe wildfire conditions.

• In late May, lumber futures were near $600 per thousand board feet, close to recent 30-day highs, as tighter lumber supplies offset ongoing weak demand from the US housing sector, according to Trading Economics. Lumber supplies have fallen as US production has not ramped up to fill the gap left by a tariff-related drop in Canadian imports. Combined duties on Canadian lumber imports now stand at about 35%. Canadian supplies have been further disrupted by wildfire and storms, and the resulting policy shifts in British Columbia to ensure steady domestic supplies.
• The Bureau of Land Management has proposed expanding logging across 2.5 million acres of western Oregon forests, a move that could significantly reshape the logging industry by increasing harvest levels toward 1 billion board feet annually, according to Yahoo. The plan, part of a broader push to boost domestic timber production, would open more O&C lands to logging and potentially restore output closer to historical levels. Industry groups support the proposal, citing economic benefits, job growth, and reduced wildfire risk from overgrown forests. For logging companies, the shift could create substantial new supply opportunities and stabilize long-term operations. However, environmental opposition and regulatory uncertainty may affect implementation timelines.