Promoting the Wise Stewardship of Our Forest Resources

NELA is a regional trade group representing members of the Northeast and Lake States’ logging, sawmilling, and forest products community.

Supporting the Industry

About Us

For over sixty years the Northeastern Loggers Association has published a highly respected monthly magazine that focuses exclusively on our region – The Northern Logger and Timber Processor. NELA also produces training programs, pamphlets and books, and the region’s largest exposition of forest products and tree care equipment. If you are interested in becoming a member, please click the link below.

Features

Selected articles from The Northern Logger & Timber Processor magazine.

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French Trucking Adapts to Shifting Markets

These days large trucking companies that haul almost exclusively for the logging industry are few and far between in the Northeast and Lake States. Owner-operators have
become the norm as overhead costs have skyrocketed, while larger log trucking companies have downsized or branched out into other specialties.
French Trucking, based in northern upstate New York in the town of Fine, has defied those trends. Herb French started in the business right out of high school, first hauling for his father, David.

Following in his father’s footsteps in 1995, he bought his own truck, then another, growing his business with the help of his wife, Karen.

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Let’s Put 2025 in the Rearview Mirror

Most people engaged in the Northeast’s forest industry are ready to move on from 2025. While this year hasn’t been a complete loss, markets aren’t strong, policy uncertainty has stalled decision-making and investments, and nothing the industry spends money on is getting cheaper.

30' skidder bridge with brush and guardrails.
Extreme Weather BMPs

Innovation captures our attention with breakthrough technologies – computerized log processing, wooden skyscrapers, or medical treatment using cellulose nanofibers. However, the overwhelming majority of innovations are incremental. It may be imperceptible if not looking closely, but small innovations compile and synergize.

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water and soil protection are a great example of incremental innovation

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