Potlatch Corp., of Spokane, reported this morning second-quarter net income of $16.3 million, or 40 cents a diluted share, down from earnings of $19.2 million, or 47 cents a share, in the year-earlier period.

Earnings fell mostly due to a larger income tax charge, which was $7.9 million in the second quarter compared with $4.6 million in the year-earlier period.

The wood-products company reported second-quarter revenue of $143.9 million, up from $133.2 million in the year-earlier period.

Potlatch Chairman and CEO Michael Covey said in a press release that increased activity in the housing market helped the company’s lumber business, and it completed more than 40 real estate transactions during the quarter.

“We expect strong results in our wood products and resources businesses in the second half of the year, particularly given that the third quarter is our seasonally highest harvest quarter,” Covey said.

He said the company is on track to increase its earnings for the third straight year.