- 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
New research projects align with FGLT strategic priorities
The Forest Growers Levy Trust Board has approved 22 new research projects for 2026, complementing ongoing long and medium‑term programmes such as Precision Silviculture and
Forest Growers Research Conference 2025 Highlights 14-16 October 2025
Check out the highlights; speaker presentations, photos and more of the Forest Growers Research Annual Conference. The FGR 2025 conference, The Science of What’s Next,
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
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