On Monday, 26 October 2026, the wood market is showing a split. In recent weeks OSB panels have held up better than several stud lumber categories, which weakened. A leading North American framing-lumber price index slipped to $500 per 1,000 board feet in mid-October, down about 4% in a month.
Buyers are purchasing only for near-term needs, and mill inventories are lean. Elevated fuel costs, with Brent near $115, are making delivered prices depend heavily on freight timing.
For Treetop General customers, this means mixed orders can be smart. Softer lumber can be bought at better prices, while panel prices may not fall as much.
Example: A mixed order of 25,000 board feet of framing lumber at the $500 index level costs about $12,500 before freight. Last month, at about $520, the same volume was roughly $500 more (illustrative comparison using index levels).
Advice for partners: Compare quotes on a delivered basis, not mill price alone, and confirm loading dates in writing.
The honest caution: Lean inventories can turn a soft market firm very quickly if demand picks up or transport gets disrupted.
Treetop-General.com — timber and panels, traded with care.
