A new wildcard in the global supply of lumber, as well as log exports, is the rapid expansion of the spruce bark beetle in Europe that has grown to a massive scale in just a few short years. The net impact involves a huge timber salvage program that is having far-reaching implications in global markets.  Exceptionally hot and dry summers have fanned the flames, so to speak, for an unprecedented outbreak of spruce bark beetle activity throughout central European forests, killing vast swathes of timber.  Drought, brought on by what most believe to be climate ...