- Speciality Species
Specialty species, or ‘alternative species’ are exotic (non-native) tree species excluding radiata pine which produce timber with potential high-value applications such as joinery, furniture, and outdoor applications enabled by natural durability.
The most commonly grown specialty species in New Zealand are cypresses, Douglas-fir, eucalypts (durable and non-durable) and coastal redwood.
Supported by MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, we are currently undertaking a broad consultation to determine the research priorities for a future programme.
There have been three specialty species research programmes and projects:
- The Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership (SWP), which ran from 2015-2023
- A series of short projects funded by the Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) (2022-2023)
- Diversity projects funded by the levy and MPI in 2025, a series of short term projects
Explore SWP, ITP & Diversity short term project outputs:
Speciality Species News
Forest Growers Research Conference 2025 Highlights 14-16 October 2025
The Forest Growers Research Conference, The Science of What’s Next, was held between 14–16 October 2025 in Auckland, attracting over 120 delegates from across the
Eight researchers honoured at 2025 Forest Growers Research Awards
Forest Growers Research (FGR) announced the winners of its 2025 Awards, at the FGR Annual Conference, held in Auckland 14th-16th October. The Science Awards recognises
Research showcased in the 2025 FGR Annual Science Report
Forest Growers Research and its collaborators have been working hard over the last 12 months to support the forestry industry. The 2025 FGR Annual Science
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