In the Alder sawmilling business, the term “Alder Color” denotes lumber that meets grade standards but features visual imperfections like log stain or sticker shadow, differing from Alder’s typical bright, uniform tone. At Cascade Hardwood, this designation offers manufacturers a valuable, budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing quality.

Sales of Alder lumber and other domestic hardwoods have been dragging this year. This trend echoes what’s happening in other discretionary markets, mirroring flagship consumer brands like Topgolf, Callaway Brands Corp. (MODG) stock, which is down 38% in the last six months. Let’s break down what’s behind this slowdown, drawing parallels to those broader economic vibes.

At Cascade, we are very pleased with our newly installed rip system and our rip stocking program. As more distributors ask about the program, we thought we would show everyone an example of our C-Packs and explain how and why they are tallied and packaged.

As the hardwood industry moves to more companies buying rips and width sorts, Cascade has just completed the installation of our new planing and rip line. It was designed to offer surfaced and ripped Alder and PC Maple with high quality and quick turnarounds.

Back in March at the Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association (IHLA), we had multiple conversations about hardwood lumber distribution with customers, covering Alder’s role in a growing panel-centric marketplace and how we could work to make Alder easier to sell and a better product for the craftsmen downstream. One idea is Alder surfaced to 13/16” and straight line ripped, in pre-made 500-foot approximate packs in the key grades of SUP (Superior) and PRE (Premium).

An article published last week titled “Aging Housing Stock Bodes Well for Remodeling: National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)” highlights how the nation’s aging housing stock, combined with insufficient new-home inventory, signals that the remodeling market “is...

Last month was an exciting month for the machinists and electricians at Cascade Hardwood. After excavating and pouring a huge concrete slab, installation has been progressing on the state-of-the-art planing and rip line at our main facility. While the first few months...

Nature-Inspired Wood Finishes Transform Homes and Boost Value The trend of incorporating earth-friendly wood finishes into home design, particularly in cabinetry, is gaining momentum in 2025, merging sustainability with sophisticated aesthetics. According to Zillow’s...

Impact of Trade Deals on New Housing Starts and Remodeling Avoiding a Recession Could Keep Mortgage Rates Elevated With recent progress in the trade war between China and the U.S., including a 90-day period of lower tariffs, stocks and bond yields have risen. This...

In a world filled with all things AI, what do we do in the sales business to ensure we keep the human touch? With automation and artificial intelligence playing an increasingly significant role in sales, it’s easy to see why many salespeople and business owners worry...

Natural Materials, Uniqueness, Led By Small Shops Will Define Coming StylesOne of the key markets for distribution in North America has been the smaller 1-25 employee custom cabinet shop. These manufacturers, often self-taught or using skills handed down generation to...

Lack of China Markets Could Change The Landscape for Domestic Hardwood Supply Now that we are 12+ days into the announced tariffs, several things have become apparent. First, many Eastern sawmills have depended on Red Oak log markets in China, which are no longer...