Austrian green building firm CREE GmbH has opened US operations in San Francisco, CREE Buildings. The company's timber and concrete hybrid technology enables architects to design wood buildings up to 30 stories, that can be erected as quickly as a story a day. Source: Azocleantech

The US lumber futures hit a 19-month high amid expectations for demand to surge as thousands of homes, damaged by the superstorm Sandy, are rebuilt in the coming months. Source: Reuters

Ta Ann is lobbying the State Government to broker a last-minute forest agreement to ensure its future in Tasmania. Ta Ann said it feared for its business without the Intergovernmental Agreement after environment groups promised to launch campaigns in Ta Ann's markets. Source: The Merc

Macpherson + Kelley (M+K) the law firm behind a class action against failed forestry group Great Southern is also considering whether to launch a similar action against Gunns. The company is also filing a class action against Willmott Forests. Source: Brisbane Times

The 2012 Forest and Wood Products Australia annual general meeting (AGM) saw the return of two directors as well as the appointment of John McNamara, managing director of DTM Timbers, to the FWPA Board. Source: Timberbiz

Boral will moth-ball its Batemans Bay timber mill operation on the New South Wales far south coast in response to a 30-year low in new housing construction and the need to reduce costs. Source: ABC News

Boral will moth-ball its Batemans Bay timber mill operation on the New South Wales far south coast in response to a 30-year low in new housing construction and the need to reduce costs. Source: ABC News

An Austrian prince has been granted approval to buy land from one of New Zealand's leading forestry investment companies. Prince Tassilo Metternich-Sandor will buy 1148 hectares of land in Napier in a deal worth $3.4 million. Source: NZ City