The deal, which is subject to the negotiation of a definitive merger agreement, will now be considered at a Willamette board meeting at the end of January.

Willamette has also ceased its tentative negotiations with Georgia-Pacific to buy the groups building materials division (PrintWeek, 4 January).

Weyerhaeusers hostile takeover bid for Willamette has been ongoing for almost two years. It has been given added spice because Weyerhaeusers chairman, president and chief executive, Steven Rogel, was previously employed by Willamette.