Dryland Durable Eucalypt
Species

Proseed is a founding member of the NZ Dryland Forest Initiative. One of the NZDFI’s core objectives is to establish genetic resources of key eucalyptus species that field testing has shown have potential in the drier parts of New Zealand. Over the next 5 years it is intended to establish genetic resources of the following species, principally in Marlborough and Canterbury.

» For information on the NZDFI go to www.nzdfi.org.nz

Eucalyptus bosistoana (Coast grey box)

In it's natural habitat (coastal NSW and Victoria), the tree has an open crown, often reaching over 50 m in height and 90-120 cm in diameter. The timber is extremely durable and is ranked as class 1. While the tree prefers moist soils it is known to be fairly drought and frost hardy. In early years the trees will require form pruning.

Eucalyptus Camaldulensis (Red river gum)

This fast growing species is widespread throughout Australia but the southern provenances, in particular Lake Albacutya in Victoria, are probably best suited to NZ. In Australia seedlings from the southern provenances are recorded as surviving winter frosts of -7 to -10ºC and the species has superior drought tolerance. This seedlot from the Western Australian seed orchards.

Eucalyptus globoidea (White stringybark)

E. globoidea is rated as a class 3 durable hardwood. There are plantings of E. globoidea throughout the North Island and NZ plantation material is reported to have sawn well with densities ranging from 527 to 623 kg/m3 and with MOE’s of around 14 GPA. The Marlborough trials and Eucalypt Action Group (NZFFA) national SFF trials show the potential of this species

Eucalyptus quadrangulata (White-topped box)

A Class 1 durable species, E. quadrangulata has a light brown wood which is known for being very stable and having high decay resistance. As for suitability as a plantation species, it has good early growth and survival and also ranks well for health and form.

Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (Red stringybark)

A tree with short boles but which saws well producing straight grained, even textured timber. The wood is pink brown – red in colour and is moderately durable with densities of 575 – 775 kg/m3 recorded in Australian plantation wood. The species also has good frost and drought tolerance.

Conditions apply

The E. bosistoana seed comes from NZDFI Australian collections and has been made available on the condition that purchasers agree to pay a royalty of 2 cents per propagule sold or used. The royalties will be used to fund the durable eucalypts research programme.