The New Zealand Dryland Forest Initiative (NZDFI)’s vision is to have 100,000 hectares of elite durable Eucalypts planted by 2030, and a regional hardwood industry in full swing by 2050, earning some $350 million.
The programme aims to develop genetically improved planting stock and management systems for ground-durable Eucalypt species suited to New Zealand’s dryland regions.
This commercially oriented research and development project focuses on plant improvement through tree breeding, with the evaluation of clonal trials being a “most significant step” and a first for New Zealand, says Paul Millen, Project Manager, NZDFI.
Ngai Tahu owned company Proseed New Zealand Limited are NZDFI’s founding member and one of the principal sponsors. Their focus is now on clonal propagation, which means consistent genetic material can be deployed in the same way grafts provide consistent clonal strains in the wine industry.
Proseed’s interest in durable Eucalyptus is market focused.
“Because ground-durable heartwood Eucalyptus species being researched do not need chemical treatment, they are of interest to the forest industry to grow posts for vineyards, particularly for organics” says Shaf van Ballekom, CEO, Proseed New Zealand and Chair of NZDFI.
“Proseed’s capability to source seed in Australia was critical,” Paul says. "We couldn’t have established the breeding populations without the seed that they imported. And about three to four years ago they started setting up their first grafted seed orchard.”
One of the key reasons for NZDFIs progress was the development of a new propagation house by Proseed two years ago that has made it possible to do the cloning work. Paul says, “with cloning we can select good trees from our trials that have not yet been improved but they are simply good trees.”
Proseed staff check out their 2 year old plantings with Clemens Altaner, School of Forestry, University of Canterbury and Marco Lausberg, Programme Manager of the Specialty Wood Products Partnership, Forest Growers Research.
The breeding programme is complemented by research on site and species matching, and the development of growth and yield models and plant health which is largely being carried out by post graduate students at the University of Canterbury.
One such aspect being worked on is genome mapping, supervised by the School of Botany, University of Canterbury. Possible applications for bark and foliage are also being investigated, as well as waste from manufacturing, valuable because of its high calorific properties.
The NZDFI research programme is unique in its integrated approach, pursuing the concept of whole tree harvesting with links all along the production chain from tree breeding and propagation to wood processing and markets.
Paul Millen and land owner Dave Dillon
No longer is it only the School of Forestry engaged in the programme. In addition to the Botany Department undertaking genome mapping, the Engineering Department is testing the use of electrical conductivity to measure how much timber a standing tree is developing that is heartwood and not sapwood.
“A simple hand held device is the goal as this could be a game changer because no longer would a tree require to be cut,” Paul explains. “No one has ever been able to look at what is going on in a living tree. We are working on technology to do that. That is where the electricity stuff is interesting.“
“In the same way that a winegrower uses a refractometer to measure brix, we want to have a tool to quickly measure and save boring destructive holes in trees, which we do a lot of. That’s why we are testing electrical conductivity to measure sapwood.”
The over-riding aim of the research is to give growers all the resources they need to grow ground-durable Eucalypt forests successfully.
To that extent the programme has just released a project update on the latest research aspects from the team at Proseed and the post graduate students at the University of Canterbury.
The market opportunities for durable hardwood applications include everything from electricity cross-arms for Marlborough Lines to hardwood decking, structures such as bridges and marine wharves, and especially those wanting organic certification.
In terms of engineered wood products, the most exciting thing that has been demonstrated is the manufacture of laminated veneer lumber (LVL).
“Eucalypt veneer is very stiff and up to three times stronger than Radiata Pine. The trunk can be peeled to create veneer and a ground-durable pole. The export value of laminated veneer lumber is one of the primary reasons some of the corporates are supporting the programme now,” says Paul.
Would that establish a new industry?
“Yes, that is the plan. A new hardwood industry based on a whole raft of products,” Paul says.
The University of Canterbury and NZDFI Science Team met at the MRC campus recently to share their latest research findings.
Please follow the link to read the research update, which includes
• 2018 demonstration trials - seedling survival and frost damage
• Propagation and breeding updates
• Research updates from University of Canterbury School of Forestry Post Graduate students including:
• Modelling stem properties
• Wood quality and durability
• Essential oil analysis
• Genomic and taxonomic research
• Insect pest studies.