SWP Programme Update – November 2017

In:

SWP Programme Updates

Report No:

SWP-TU03

Report Date:

November 25, 2017

Summary

This programme has been running for over 2 years now with significant effort going into Douglas-fir, non-durable and naturally durable eucalypts.  Recent highlights:

Douglas-fir selections for breeding were updated based on assessing form in two trials.  These updated selections will be used to rouge seed orchards and take the best material forward.

Within E. nitens, drying temperature had a significant effect on levels of degrade seen in boards and there is an indication it may be possible to segregate low checking and collapse logs based on standing tree measures.  Thermal modification of E. nitens improved the dimensional stability and significantly reduced the levels of checking.

In the durable eucalypts space a vineyard post survey was under taken in Marlborough that found the rate of breakage of E. bosistoana and E. globoidea posts had been a fraction of the breakage rate of radiata posts (0.3% compared to 5%).

The SWP programme was reviewed by 3 international experts whom noted that the main strengths included active industry/research collaborations, strong science, and a large team with diverse expertise.  The main weakness were insufficient focus on activities that will have the greatest impact on achieving long-term project goals, particularly related to identifying and developing products for international markets.  This review led to some changes in the funding allocation to increase the investment in processing research.  These new workplans are currently being contracted.

Document:

SWP-TU03 (931.77 Kb)