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The New Timber Giant

Who is Weyerhaeuser and how will Plum Creek change following a multibillion dollar merger?

By Justin Franz
Plum Creek Timber Company's Columbia Falls operations. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

In early November, Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek announced a massive merger that would create one of the world’s largest timber companies and possibly change the industry in Montana forever. Industry observers have suggested the merger could result in layoffs and closures, while outdoorsmen worry that private land access could change.

This week, the Flathead Beacon tries to answer the question and who is Weyerhaeuser and what does this merger mean for Northwest Montana?


An employee organizes stacks of lumber at the Plum Creek Evergreen facilities. Beacon File Photo
An employee organizes stacks of lumber at the Plum Creek Evergreen facilities. Beacon File Photo

Who is Weyerhaeuser?

Company merging with Plum Creek has deep roots in Pacific Northwest – By Justin Franz

On Jan. 18, 1900, Frederick Weyerhaeuser purchased 900,000 acres of Washington timberland from the Northern Pacific Railway. At the time it was the largest private land deal in American history.

The deal would go on to make Frederick, already a successful businessman in the timber industry, the eighth richest American and make the Weyerhaeuser Company the economic powerhouse it is today. »»» READ MORE


Plum Creek Timber Company's Columbia Falls operations. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon
Plum Creek Timber Company’s Columbia Falls operations. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

As Merger Looms, Questions Linger About Plum Creek’s Future

A week after deal was announced, Plum Creek officials say it is too soon to know what could change in deal with Weyerhaeuser – By Justin Franz

More than a week after the Weyerhaeuser Company and Plum Creek Timber announced they would be merging, little has changed at mills in Columbia Falls and Evergreen.

But community members and industry observers are wondering aloud what the multibillion-dollar merger will mean for the mills and their 750 employees in the Flathead Valley. »»» READ MORE


The Plum Creek lumber production plant in Columbia Falls. Beacon File Photo
The Plum Creek lumber production plant in Columbia Falls. Beacon File Photo

New Neighbor Raises Questions About New Rules For Access

Plum Creek’s purchase by Weyerhaeuser has prompted concern over public access on land giant’s parcels in other states – By Tristan Scott

The recent announcement that the Paul Bunyan-esque timber giant Weyerhaeuser was purchasing Plum Creek land raised immediate concern over the fate of free land use in western Montana, where hunters and anglers have enjoyed a long legacy of outdoor access.

With certain limitations, Plum Creek has allowed free, public access on nearly all of its timbered Montana lands for decades. Weyerhaeuser, in contrast, allows paid access on much of its land through permits and exclusive leases. Permits are often limited in number and can cost as much as $275. »»» READ MORE