Durable eucalypts

The SWP durable eucalypts research programme was managed by the New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative (NZDFI). The main research providers were the University of Canterbury School of Forestry and the Marlborough Research Centre Trust. The NZDFI’s primary SWP aims were to:

• produce genetically improved planting stock via a structured long-term breeding programme of selected species (predominantly E. bosistoana and E. globoidea)
• conduct research into durability and other wood properties
• research site/species suitability via a large trial networkmodel growth and heartwood volume of selected species
• encourage new planting of durable eucalypts.

• Key achievements include:
• developing and testing durable eucalypt products and associated technologies, including posts, poles, veneer and LVL
• developing a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy technique for assessing heartwood extractives and durability
• establishing eight new site/species demonstration trials, setting up a network of 130 permanent sample plots (PSPs), trial measurement and analysis
• developing growth, taper and heartwood volume models for E. globoidea
• establishing a seed orchard; producing clonal material and establishing a clonal trial
• advancing knowledge of tolerance to Paropsine browsing; using LiDAR to assess insect defoliation
• assessing the potential to produce essential oils from E. bosistoana
• deploying the first generation of improved E. bosistoana and E. globoidea planting material under an aligned Tu Uru Rākau One Billion Trees project
• reporting in full in 2023 on early survival and growth results from the NZDFI demonstration trials network.