Icfr Central Interest Group Icfr Central Interest Group Field Day Field

ICFR CENTRAL INTEREST GROUP FIELD DAY

Date: Tuesday 20 th March 2007 Venue: CTC’s Longridge Plantation, Paulpietersburg Time: 08h30 for 09h00

PROGRAMME

08h30 Meet for at Estate Office for tea and coffee Indoor Presentations 09h00 Welcome to the field day Siggie von Fintel TWK

09h10 Introduction to CTC’s Longridge Plantation Edwin Schramm CTC The Pine Fusarium Working Group of SA: “The road 09h30 Paul Viero ICFR ahead” One year survival results from Pinus patula survival 09h45 Jacob Crous Sappi monitoring plots in Mpumalanga Post-establishment weed control in pine and 10h00 Keith Little ICFR eucalypt stands Cooldrinks 10h30 Travel to 1 st field stop InInIn-In ---fieldfield PPPresentationsPresentations

11h00 Visit to CTC’s E. smithii site Richard Liversage CTC

11h30 Travel to second field stop Sirex in South Africa – The status of the threat and Colin Dyer & 11h45 ICFR its control Philip Croft Investigating the environmental adaptation of promising sub-tropical and cold-tolerant eucalypt 12h15 Robin Gardner ICFR species in the warm temperate climate zone of KwaZulu-Natal: four year results of trials. Update on the growth potential of non-commercial 12h45 eucalypt species in the summer rainfall regions of Chris Komakech MondiBP South Africa (E. bicostata and E. nobilis) 13h15 Return to Estate Office for Lunch sponsored by CTC, NCT & TWK

Directions to CTC Longridge: 1.1.1. Travelling from Vryheid to Paulpietersburg, approx 36km from Vryheid turn left at the CTC Longridge signboard, onto a dirt road (will be signposted).pos ted). 2.2.2. Travel approx 5km following the main road to the Estate Office (signposted).

The next ICFR Regional Interest Group Field Day will be held at Kwambonambi, Zululand on 333rdrdrd MayMay.... For more information contact Denis Oscroft ( ([email protected]@[email protected]))))

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 1 AnAnAn introduction to CTC’s Longridge Plantation

Edwin Schramm ([email protected]) Central Timber Co-operative (Ltd), P O Box 495 Pietermaritzburg, 3200

Longridge Estate

In 1995, CTC, together with Sumitomo Corporation and Nippon Paper commissioned a study to identify 10000 ha of suitable land for plantation investment in the Vryheid and Paulpietersburg area.

From this study, a joint plantation scheme called Forest Resources (Pty) Ltd was established in 1996, with CTC maintaining a major shareholding in the scheme.

Through this venture Longridge Estate, comprising 3668 ha of land, was purchased in 1996. It has 1700 ha of multiple gum species, 465 ha of pine and 390 ha of wattle. On average it harvests 3 500 tons of wattle and 25 000 tons of gum per annum. At its peak the Estate sold 55 000 tons of gum in 2003. Since inception it has sold 250 000 tons of hardwood to CTC Richards Bay.

Longridge is both ISO 14001 and FSC certified and is managed according sound forestry standards and principles. It has to contend with a wide range of growing conditions and therefore ensures sound implementation of site specific silvicultural operations.

2 3

Longridge turnoff

1. Field stop 1 ( E. smithii ) 2. Field stop 2 (Sirex update ( P. elliottii stand) 3. Field stop 3 Eucalypt alternate and cold tolerant species update ( E. badjensis stand)

The Pine Fusarium Working Group of SA: “The road ahead”

Paul Viero ([email protected]) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, PO Box 100281, Scottsville 3209

Introduction It is now globally acknowledged that the Pitch Canker Fungus ( Fusarium circinatum ) can be regarded as one of the most serious threats to the softwood forestry industry. It is believed the fungus originated in Mexico from where it spread to the South-East USA (1946), Western USA (1985), Japan (1989), and South Africa (1990) before being recently identified in Chile (2001). In the USA, the pathogen has reached epidemic proportions, severely affecting mature stands.

Symptoms of the disease in the nursery first appear approximately four months from the date of sowing and death usually occurs within a month. The growing tip of the seedling begins to droop and discolouration (purpling) of the stem and needles follow. In South Africa, root die-back will occur during the early stages of infection but may not be noticed until plants are removed from the trays. The pine species most susceptible to this pathogen in South Africa are Pinus radiata and Pinus patula with Pinus elliottii and Pinus tecunumanii showing higher signs of tolerance.

Fusarium circinatum can be water borne, air borne, soil borne and seed borne. Its introduction into South Africa was originally through infected seed, however its subsequent mode of distribution within the country has probably been air borne (spores) through the movement of infected plants and trays between nurseries and into the field. In the USA, the pathogen is spread predominantly by insect vectors in mature stands, whilst in South Africa insect vectors have not been conclusively linked to its spread.

Until now, Fusarium circinatum has remained a nursery pathogen in South Africa, attacking primarily P. patula and P. radiata seedlings and cuttings with a seemingly increase in field mortality soon after out- planting (observed by many South African forestry companies). This has undoubtedly raised concern within the forestry industry fearing that this disease will at some stage progress into mature stands if action is not taken to curb its spread.

As a result the Pine Fusarium Working Group (PFWG) was initiated in 2000 by a group of concerned nurserymen and researchers from the various sectors within the forestry industry, with the aims of:

1. Ensuring the long-term availability of Pinus patula as a preferred species for future afforestation; 2. Developing practical protocols/guidelines and methods to assist nurserymen and foresters in the raising (nursery) and re-establishment (field) of Pinus patula; 3. Sharing information and experience on the management of Fusarium circinatum with all Pine growers in South Africa; and 4. Pooling current knowledge and experience through open communication and trust between members.

In the short-term, good, strict nursery hygiene combined with the responsible use of environmentally acceptable fungicides is the approach advocated by the PFWG to South African nurserymen. Good nursery hygiene efforts include:

1. Using sterilised plastic trays and whenever possible only using new polystyrene trays for P. patula ; 2. Removing accumulated bark media from beneath the beds that could harbour spores; 3. Routinely administering a sterilant to the areas beneath the beds, to pathways and vehicles moving through the nursery; 4. Spraying a number of environmentally safe fungicides, on a rotational basis, to ensure that resistance by the pathogen does not develop to any one fungicide; and 5. Removing all dying material on a regular (daily/weekly) basis, carrying it away from the nursery and burning it.

It was through these initiatives (and others) that the PFWG in conjunction with the Seedling Growers Association of SA compiled and successfully initiated Section 19 of the Nursery Certification programme. This is a programme whereby nurseries producing pine seedlings are audited on an annual basis and are

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 4 certified as to complying with a minimum set of standards for the management of Fusarium circinatum within the nursery environment.

The PFWG has been (and currently is) involved in many other initiatives in order to reduce the incidence of spread of this disease, with some of the currently more noteworthy being:

• Determining effective, environmentally safe chemicals to control future outbreaks (including the process of registering fungicide/s for use against Fusarium circinatum ); • Drawing up a Monitoring Protocol for the gathering of data relevant to the intensity and spread of Fusarium circinatum in South Africa; and • The implementation of these monitoring plots (currently in progress).

This pathogen spreads unseen to the eye (unlike Sirex ), and is difficult and complicated to understand making it very difficult to control. It is important to understand that Fusarium circinatum is here to stay and if left unchecked could result in far greater devastation to the softwood industry than Sirex . Early indications suggest that Fusarium circinatum will move from being a primarily “nursery type” of pathogen to one of the field (full blown PCF in mature trees). The PFWG has realised the serious predicament potentially facing the forestry industry and decided (in principle) to re-evaluate their mission and aim with the intention of aligning itself closer to the important issues surrounding the eventual emergence of full blown PCF without necessarily compromising on current short term aims and objectives.

Take home points

Fusarium circinatum in its full blown form (Pitch Canker Fungus) in mature pine trees may be regarded as one of the most serious threats to the softwood forestry industry in SA and world wide. The PFWG in SA comprises of (and was initiated by) a group of concerned nurserymen and researchers from various sectors within the forestry industry. The primary aim/role of the PFWG is to implement effective short term strategies to confine the pathogen (as far as possible) to the nursery through strict hygiene protocols. In this regard the PFWG in association with the SGASA have successfully implemented Section 19 within the Nation Certification Programme to manage Fusarium circinatum . A further need to gather information regarding the intensity and spread of Fusarium circinatum in SA is of primary importance (Concept of Monitoring Plots and timeous implementation thereof). Understanding the potential threat of PCF to the pine industry has resulted in the PFWG re- assessing its current role within the forestry industry.

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 5 One year survival results from Pinus patula survival monitoring plots in Mpumalanga

Jacob Crous ([email protected]) Sappi Forests Research, P.O. Box 372, Ngodwana 1209

Introduction The objective of this trial series was to identify and quantify some of the factors that contributed to the post establishment mortality in Pinus patula compartments, with specific focus on PCF (Pitch Canker Fungus, Fusarium circinatum ).

Trial Description Where: Mpumalanga - Sappi Lowveld Region Planted: 16 trials planted between Nov 2002 to Mar 2004 Species: P. patula Altitude: 1200 to 1800 m

Trial Design & Treatments Trials were established during commercial seedlings planting operations. Treatments: 1 - Control (Normal planting) 2 - Water - 2l per plant 3 - Fungicide (2g Benomyl per plant) 4 - Fungicide & Insecticide ( 2g Benomyl and 0.5 ml Bitam SC per plant) Treatments, replicated twice and laid out in a RCBD Trials 1 to 7 had 3 treatments and 8 to 16 had 4 treatments. Plot size = 10x10 (3 treatments) and 8x8 (4 treatments)

Measurements • Post plant survival was assessed at regular intervals (30, 60, 90, 140, 365 days after planting). • Dead plants were dug out with a spade and visually inspected. • Selection of plants was sent to FABI for diagnosis.

Results Note: Drought conditions during 2002/2003 and early 2003/2004 growing season had a significant effect on survival percentage.

100 Fungicide vs. Control 90 12% p = 0.007 Unknown 80

70 Fungal 60 pathogens 50

Survival percentage (%) 40

30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 Days after plant

Control Water Fungicide Figure 1. Average survival per treatment for the first 6 trials.

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 6 Fungicide vs. Control: 12.8% ( p=0.08 ) 100 Fungicide & Insecticide vs. Control: 29.4% ( p<0.001 ) 90 80 70

60 Insects 16 % 50 Fungal pathogens 13 % 40 Survival Percentage (%) Percentage Survival 30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360 Days after plant Control Water Fungicide Fungicide & Insecticide

Figure 2. Average survival trials 8 to 11.

50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% Percentage plants Percentage 10% 5% 0% No Fusarium Diplodia Fusarium Other Pathogens circinatum pinea oxysporum Fusarium species

Figure 3. Results from FABI diagnostic clinic.

Take Home Points Application of water at planting did not increase average survival. A single fungicide application at planting improved average survival by only 12% - Not economically viable. (Benlate / Benomyl not FSC approved). Diagnostic lab results showed PCF was the prevailing fungus - 42% of dying plants were infected with PCF and 49% were not infected with any pathogens. Estimated PCF was responsible for a 18 to 32% decline in survival in Mpumalanga. Handle seedlings with care. Prevent stress after planting....

These results were published in the Southern African Forestry Journal , November 2005, No. 205: p 3-11.

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 7 PostPost----establishmentestablishment weed control in pine and eucalypt stasta nds

Keith M. Little ([email protected]) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, PO Box 100281, Scottsville 3209

Introduction Previous research has focussed mainly on the competitive effects of vegetation on tree growth during the establishment phase. In most plantations, shading at canopy closure reduces growth of competing vegetation and the need for further management. Sometimes full canopy closure is delayed or not achieved, and competitive vegetation may develop. This may occur due to one or a combination of the following factors: a small leaf surface area; a low planting density; thinning and pruning; stress induced leaf senescence; occurrence of shade tolerant vegetation; or poor stocking.

Two pine and two eucalypt trials were initiated to determine the competitive effect of post- establishment vegetation on tree growth, and at what stage this vegetation should be controlled (if competitive)

Description of Trials E. grandis x E. Species P. patula P. tecunumanii E. grandis camaldulensis Kwambonambi Dargle Plantation, Clan Plantation, Zenith Estates, LLLocationLocation Plantation, KZN- KZN-Midlands KZN-Midlands KZN-Zululand Zululand Age of trees when 4.5 years 2.9 years 4 years 2 years treatments initiated

Age of trees when last 13.2 years 12.2 years 9 years 7 years measured (trees thinned) (trees thinned) (trees felled) (trees felled)

Trial Design & Treatments The trials were imposed on stands of trees that had been maintained in a weedfree state until the treatments were initiated. For the pines this was timed to coincide with the first pruning operation, and in the eucalypts with canopy closure.

Pine Treatments: TreatTreatmentment Treatment Weeds removed No. 111 Weedfree All 222 Herbaceous weeds Woody weeds removed 333 Woody weeds Herbaceous weeds removed 444 Operational weeding Woody weeds removed prior to pruning and thinning 555 Weedy None

Eucalypt Treatments: Treatment Year treatments Age when treatment Years kept Years in a weedy state No. imposed imposed (yrs) weedfree before weeding 111 December 1998 4 9 0 222 December 1999 5 8 1 333 December 2000 6 7 2 444 December 2001 7 6 3 555 December 2002 8 5 4 666 December 2003 9 4 5

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 8 Results Results obtained for both the pine and eucalypt trials were similar and as such only one set of data is used to illustrate tree growth responses.

25 ) -1 20 ha 2

10 Weedfree Basal area (m 5 Weedy

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 Time after treatment initiation (days)

Figure 1. E. grandis x E. camaldulensis basal area development at Zenith Estate, KZN-Zululand.

40 Weedfree 35 Herbaceous weeds remain

) 30 Woody weeds remain -1 Operational weeding ha 2 25 Weedy

20 After thinning

Basal area (m area Basal 15

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 Time after treatment initiation (days)

Figure 2. P. patula basal area development at Dargle Plantation, KZN-Midlands.

Take Home Points

From a tree growth perspective, the results indicate that the impact of vegetation on post- establishment performance of trees is minimal. While this is an encouraging result for foresters, it must be acknowledged that on other sites and with other eucalypts/pines, where the vegetation spectrum may be different, competition may occur. It is recommended that selective control of woody and invasive plants is carried out where competitive vegetation persists throughout stand development. Control of invasive aliens is required by legislation and therefore must be carried out, and this, together with the control of other woody plants, will help to: 1. reduce under-canopy fuel loads and risks of uncontrolled fires, 2. reduce the seed bank of unwanted vegetation, and prevent their re-establishment, and 3. improve access for silvicultural operations.

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 9 Visit to CTC’s EEEucalyptusEucalyptus smithii site

Richard Liversage ([email protected])

Site specific silviculture for E. smithii at Longridge Plantation (CTC)

Compartment L323 was originally planted to E. grandis and was harvested in 1998. The subsequent coppice crop was however frosted and later replanted it to E.smithii (December 1999). This crop was also slightly frosted but managed to pull through and has since done very well, and can be attributed to some good site characteristics in terms of ERD and rainfall (see below). The site class can be characterised as between a Warm and Cool Temperate, leaning more toward Cool Temperate, conditions ideal for the establishment of E. smithii .

Comp. no: L323 Species E.smithii Previous species E. grandis Altitude 1320 m.a.s.l MAT 16.5 oC MAP 942 mm ERD 151 cm TAM 114 YOP 12/1999

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 10 Sirex in South Africa ––– The status of the threat and its control

Colin Dyer* and Philip Croft** * Chairman: South African Sirex Control Programme, [email protected] ** Co-ordinator: South African Sirex Control Programme, [email protected]

Summary Sirex noctilio is a wood wasp whose larvae live and feed in the wood of conifers. When laying their eggs, they introduce a fungus ( Amylostereum areolatum ) on which the larvae feed, as well as a phytotoxic mucus.

Sirex is an exotic pest in New Zealand (since ±1900), Tasmania (1953) and Australia (1961) attacking Pinus radiata and infesting Pinus taeda in Uruguay and southern Brazil (1980).

The main control measure against Sirex in these countries is through biological control – the release of a nematode ( Deladenus siricidicola ) parasite of the wasp in outbreak areas identified by monitoring. This often accompanied by the release of wasp parasitoids ( Ibalia, Rhyssa and Megarhyssa ).The nematode is inoculated into trees infested with the wasp larvae. In Australia, where this biocontrol method was developed, 20% of infected trees are inoculated in an outbreak area.

In 2006, Sirex has been found in 27 220 ha of pine in southern KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, and has spread as far north as plantations between Pietermaritzburg and Greytown. Sirex has also been found in the Dundee district. Some compartments have in excess of 40% mortality due to Sirex , indicating the potential impact of an unchecked epidemic. The mean level of infestation is 6% or 1.2 million trees over the 27 000 ha that are infested.

The South African Sirex Control Programme is focused on five aspects: Biological Control with nematodes and parasitoid wasps; Monitoring the intensity and spread of the pest; Awareness in currently unaffected areas; Chemical control as an extraordinary measure to control the population; Research directed towards improving the efficiency of the control programme and developing new biological control agents.

The behaviour of Sirex in the summer rainfall areas in southern Africa may require adaptation of the approach that has been used successfully in other pine growing areas around the world.

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 11 Investigating the environmental adaptation of promising subsub----tropicaltropical and coldcold----toleranttolerant eucalypt species in the warm temperate cliclimatemate zone of KwaZuluKwaZulu----Natal:Natal: FFFourFour year trial resultsresults....

Robin A W Gardner ([email protected]) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, PO Box 100281, Scottsville 3209

Introduction During the past three decades the ICFR has carried out extensive site-species interaction research for the South African forestry industry. By the turn of the previous century, a limited number of promising alternative eucalypt species had been identified for potential future commercial forestry application in sub-tropical, coastal Zululand and Maputaland (Gardner, 2001a; Gardner, 2004) and cold, high altitude areas of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and north-eastern Eastern Cape (Schönau and Gardner, 1991; Gardner, 2001b). At the same time, uncertainty still existed about the environmental adaptability of these species. For example, would the promising sub-tropical species perform equally as well or better under cooler conditions, and would the promising cold-tolerant species perform equally as well or better under warmer conditions? Knowledge of the approximate upper and lower mean annual temperature (MAT) thresholds of the promising new species would assist forest planners and tree breeders exploit the potential gains of the new species. To investigate this, a series of trials was established across a range of sites in the warm temperate climate zone (MAT range 16 – 19 0 C) (Smith et al . 2005) of KwaZulu-Natal during February 2001(Gardner, 2006) (Table 1 ). Included in this trial series were all the sub-tropical and cold-tolerant eucalypt species previously identified as highly promising in earlier ICFR site-species trials (Table 2 ).

TabTablele 11.... Site details for the site-species interaction trials established in the warm temperate climate zone of KwaZulu-Natal during 2001.

Experiment / plantation name Rockvale Riverdale Rooipoort Eersteling District Highflats Richmond Babanango Paulpi etersburg

Landowner Masonite Sappi Mondi BP Mondi BP o o o o Latitude 30 12' 39” S 29 53' 26" S 28 24' 17" S 27 33' 39" S o o o o Longitude 30 06' 01" E 30 24' 40" E 31 05' 43" E 30 50' 32" E Altitude (m) 1100 890 1300 1080 Median & (mean) annual rainfall (mm) * 825 (836) 875 (898) 1066 (1079) 828 (838) o Mean annual temperature ( C) * 16.3 17.4 15.7 18.2 Soil classification ** Kranskop 1100 Glenrosa 1111 Magwa 1100 Hutton 1200 Soil depth (cm) 120 55 - 75 40 - 50 85 - 120 Previous crop E. grandis pulpwood E. grandis pulpwood P. elliottii pulpwood E. grandis pulpwood Planting date 08 February 2001 06 February 2001 22 February 2001 14 February 2001

* Schulze (1997) ** Soil Classification working Group (1991)

Experimental Design & Treatments ••• Treatments (30 per trial): various eucalypt species and provenances ( Table 2 ). ••• Trial layout: 3 replications of a 6 x 5 rectangular lattice. ••• Trial plots: whole = 5 x 6 (30 trees); inner sample = 3 x 4 trees (12 trees). ••• Tree spacing: 2.0 m x 3.0 m. ••• Buffer rows: 2 rows of E. dunnii around each trial.

Table 2 Origin and representation of seedlots in the site-species interaction trials established in the warm temperate climate zone of KwaZulu-Natal during 2001.

Description of origins Representation in trials ( = represented, x = not represented) Species and seedlot number Locality Lat (S) Long (E) Alt (m) Seedlot abbreviation # Rockvale Riverdale Rooipoort Eersteling C. citriodora 18062 2 Expedition Range (QLD) 24 0 37’ 149 0 02’ 400 cit 18062 x x C. henryi 10250 2 SF 616 Lockyer (QLD) 27 0 17’ 152 0 10’ 150 hen 10250 x x C. henryi 13572 2 South of Grafton (NSW) 29 0 45’ 152 0 58’ 85 hen 13572 C. henryi ZLD bulk Bulk of 12 trees ex -SGE34 (RSA) - - - hen ZLD x x x C. maculata 11187 2 SF 393 Woondum (QLD) 26 0 09’ 159 0 29’ 400 mac 11187 x x x C. maculata 16360 2 SW of Warwick (QLD) 28 0 23’ 151 0 42’ 750 mac 16360 x C. maculata 558 3 2 Richmond Range SF (NSW) 28 0 22’ 152 0 27’ 20 ma c5583 x x E. acmenoides 15606 2 26.9km SE of Gympie (QLD) 26 0 18’ 152 0 49’ 385 acm 15606 E. acmenoides 17515 2 Blackdown Tableland (QLD) 23 0 49’ 149 0 02’ 800 acm 17515 x x x E. badjensis 19424 2 Badja SF (NSW) 36 0 08’ 149 0 32’ 1100 bad 19424 E. badjensis 19605 2 Brown Mt (NSW) 36 0 38’ 149 0 26’ 1000 bad 19605 E. benthamii 19282 2 Kedumba Valley (NSW) 33 0 49’ 150 0 23’ 140 ben 19282 E. benthamii 19374 2 Bents River Basin (NSW) 33 0 52’ 150 0 38’ 40 ben 19374 E. biturbinata 19809 2 Girard SF (NSW) 28 0 58’ 152 0 15’ 800 bit 19809 E. biturbinata 19812 2 Chaelundi SF (NSW) 29 0 57’ 152 0 22’ 750 bit 19812 E. cypellocarpa 19798 2 Nullo SF (NSW) 32 0 45’ 150 0 12’ 990 cyp 19798 x E. deanei 18733 2 Mt Spirabo SF29 (NSW) 29 0 21’ 152 0 04’ 1100 dea 18733 E. deanei 19281 2 Kedumba Valley (NSW) 33 0 49’ 150 0 23’ 140 dea 19281 E. dorrigoensis VRD97/06 2 Tyringham via Dorrigo (NSW) 30 0 16’ 152 0 37’ 680 dor VRD97/06 x E. globulus ssp . b icostata 18587 2 Walcha SF (NSW) 30 0 55’ 152 0 00’ 925 bic 18587 x E. globulus ssp . maidenii 18728 2 Bolaro Mt (NSW) 35 0 40’ 150 0 02’ 380 mai 18728 x E. longirostrata 11168 2 SF 197 Diamondy (QLD) 26 0 21’ 151 0 10’ 400 lon 11168 x E. longirostrata 15637 2 NW of Monto (QLD) 24 0 49’ 150 0 57’ 500 lon 15637 E. moluccana 15877 2 SF 302 Ballon (QLD) 26 0 27’ 150 0 49’ 325 mol 15877 E. nobilis 19800 2 Nullo SF (NSW) 32 0 45’ 150 0 12’ 1115 nob 19800 E. nobilis 19805 2 Mt Ka putar NP (NSW) 30 0 17’ 150 0 08’ 1250 nob 19805 E. oreades 17344 2 Newnes SF (NSW) 33 0 24’ 150 0 13’ 1000 ore 17344 x E. pilularis 13537 2 10km W Beerburrum (QLD) 26 0 57’ 152 0 52’ 40 pil 13537 x x x E. punctata 19352 2 Wingello SF (NSW) 34 0 45’ 150 0 11’ 550 pun 19352 E. punctata 19797 2 Nullo SF (NSW) 32 0 45’ 150 0 12’ 1070 pun 19797 E. saligna 17750 2 Kenilworth SF (QLD) 26 0 40’ 152 0 36’ 575 sal 17750 E. volcanica 19804 2 Mt Kaputar NP (NSW) 30 0 17’ 150 0 08’ 1130 vol19804 x x CONTROLS: E. camaldulensis 16720 2 Petford area (QLD) 17 0 24’ 145 0 02’ 590 cam 16720 x x x E. dunnii 10356 1 Commercial S.O bulk (RSA) - - - dun 10356 E. grandis M7849 1 Commercial S.O bulk (RSA) - - - gra M7849 E. macarthurii J/Vale 1 Commercial S.O bulk (RSA) - - - mac J/Vale x E. smithii 10040 1 Commercial S.O bulk (RSA) - - - smi 10040 x E. tereticornis 17761 2 Spicers Gap S.F. (QLD) 28 0 03’ 152 0 24’ 675 ter 17761 x x x E. urophylla M92 54 1 Zululand S.O. bulk (RSA) - - - uro M9254 x x

1 Commercial seed orchard bulk. 2 Imported, unimproved Australian seedlot. # abbreviation used in Tables in field presentation.

Table 3 Ranked 48-month basal area for Eersteling, Paulpietersburg # Species and seedlot number m2 ha -1 E. dorrigoensis VRD97/06 15.36 a E. grandis M7849 14.07 ab E. dunnii 10356 13.91 ab E. benthamii 19374 13.11 abc E. deanei 18733 13.1 abcd C. maculata 16360 13.09 abcd E. benthamii 19282 12.63 abcde E. saligna 17750 12.14 abcdef E. deanei 19281 12.11 bcdef E. oreades 17344 12.10 bcdef E. globulus ssp bicostata 18587 11.92 bcdefg E. smithii 10040 11.27 bcdefg E. nobilis 19800 11.26 bcdefg E. punctata 19797 10.58 cdefg Mean 10.5 C. henryi 13572 10.22 cdefg E. biturbinata 19809 9.94 cdefg E. longirostrata 11168 9.9 cdefg E. longirostrata 15637 9.89 cdefg E. acmenoides 15606 9.86 efg E. badjensis 19424 9.49 efg E. macarthurii Jessievale bulk 9 .48 efg E. biturbinata 19812 9.23 fg E. badjensis 19605 9.0 fg E. nobilis 19805 8.9 fg E. globulus ssp maidenii 18728 8.77 E. cypellocarpa 19798 8.58 E. punctata 19352 8.23 E. acmeno ides 17515 6.61 E. volcanica 19804 6.46 E. moluccana 15877 2.75 LSD (P < 0.05) 3.24

# within this column, values followed by the same letter are not significantly different ( p < 0.05)

Commercial c ontrol species: E. grandis and E. dunnii were the two top-performing commercial control species across the sites. No problematic diseases and/or pests observed in these species so far. E. smithii the 3 rd best control across all sites, but susceptible to Phytophthora root-rot disease where MAT >17. 00 C. Incidence of Botryosphaeria stem-disease increasing & monitoring continues. E. macarthurii the 4 th best control, but performed poorly at the warmest site, Eersteling (MAT 18.2 0 C). No disease or pest problems observed across sites so far. UUUnimprovedUnimproved ccoldoldoldold----toleranttolerant species: E. benthamii and close relative E. dorrigoensis (formerly E. benthamii var dorrigoensis ) performed well across all sites. No disease or pest problems observed in either species to date. E. benthamii Bents Basin was not outperformed by any of the commercial control species at any of the sites, and is therefore a promising alternative species to all controls tested. E. dorrigoensis was the only unimproved species to outperform the E. smithii and E. macarthurii controls at Eersteling, suggesting E. dorrigoensis more tolerant of warm conditions than E. benthamii . E. badjensis poor performance at sites where MAT > 17.0 0 C due to Phytophthora infection. Results suggest Brown Mt provenance of E. badjensis has better resistance to Phytophthora than Badja SF provenance. E. badjensis Brown Mt appears a promising alternative to E. smithii and E. macarthurii at sites only where MAT < 17.0 0 C. E. oreades Newnes SF performed well at all sites where represented, and should be considered a promising alternative to E. smithii and E. macarthurii for the warm temperate climate zone. More extensive testing (site x provenance/progeny) is necessary. Unimproved ssubububub----tropicaltropical species: Species which excelled in forerunner site-species trials in coastal Zululand, e.g. E. longirostrata , E. pilularis , Corymbia henryi , C. citriodora , C. maculata , etc, have not performed well under the cooler conditions further inland. Bacterial blight ( Pantoea ananatis ) impeded early growth in members of Eucalyptus subseries Punctatosae ( E. punctata , E. biturbinata and E. longirostrata ) and the E. urophylla control at the two coolest sites, Rooipoort (MAT 15.7 0 C) and Rockvale (MAT 16.3 0 C).

References Gardner R A W. 2001a. Alternative eucalypt species for Zululand: Seven year results from site-species interaction trials in the region. Southern African Forestry Journal , 190:79-88. Gardner R A W. 2001b. Site-species interaction studies with cold-tolerant eucalypts at high altitudes in South Africa. In : Proceedings of IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03 Conference “Developing the eucalypt of the future”, Valdivia, Chile, 10-15 September 2001 (on CD-ROM only). Gardner R A W. 2004. Selection of Eucalyptus species and provenances for hot, dry conditions in northern, coastal Zululand, South Africa. In : “ Eucalyptus in a changing world ” (Eds. N.M.G. Borralho, J.S. Pereira, C. Marques, J. Coutinho, M. Madeira and M. Tomé) p 168-170. Proc. IUFRO Conf., Aveiro, 11-15 Oct. (RAIZ, Instituto Investiga ςão da Floresta e Papel, Portugal). Gardner R A W. 2006. Early performance of promising cold-tolerant and sub-tropical eucalypt species in the warm temperate climate zone of KwaZulu-Natal. ICFR Bulletin Series 13/2006. Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, Pietermaritzburg. 21 pp. Schönau A P G and Gardner R A W. 1991. Eucalypts for colder areas in Southern Africa. In: Schonau, A.P.G. (Ed.) Intensive Forestry: The Role of Eucalypts. Proceedings of IUFRO symposium, SAIF, Pretoria, pp 467-479. Schulze R E. 1997. South African Atlas of Agrohydrology and –Climatology. Report TT 82/96. Water Research Commission, Pretoria. Smith C W, Pallett R N, Kunz R P, Gardner R A W and du Plessis M. 2005. A strategic forestry site classification for the summer rainfall region of southern Africa based on climate, geology and soils. ICFR Bulletin Series 3/2005, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, Pietermaritzburg. pp 6-15. Soil Classification Working Group. 1991. Soil Classification – A taxonomic system for South Africa. Department of Agricultural Development, Pretoria.

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 15 Update on the growth potential of nonnon----commercialcommercial eucalypt species in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa (E. bicostata and E. nobilis)

Christopher Komakech ([email protected]) Mondi Business Paper, P O Box 35, Kwambonambi, 3915

(A report on work conducted at the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research)

Introduction The temperate forestry sites in the summer rainfall region of South Africa were traditionally planted to species such as Eucalyptus nitens and E. macarthurii . The commercial growth of trees on many of these sites is limited by rainfall, temperature and/or soil depth, the risk of heavy snows and black frosts at least once in a rotation, and unique pest and disease problems. Due to the many factors affecting growth of trees on these sites, there has been a need to investigate alternate eucalypt species for the temperate areas.

A collaborative seed collection in New South Wales, Australia was undertaken during January/February 1997 by the Australian Tree Seed Centre (ATSC) and the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR). The main objective was to access seed of eucalypt species and provenances suitably adapted to certain marginal conditions in South Africa’s summer rainfall forestry area. The collection focussed on dry and cold sites in north-eastern New South Wales where annual rainfall distribution tends towards a summer maximum (Gardner et al. 2000): ••• E. nobilis (formerly E. viminalis ssp. nobilis ) and E. cypellocarpa for cold sites. ••• E. bicostata (formerly E. globulus ssp. bicostata ) and E. biturbinata (formerly E. punctata var. didyma ) for moderately cold sites.

Tree improvement trials testing the material from various provenances in Australia were then established at several sites in South Africa. The E. nobilis and E. bicostata trials will be reported on here.

Trial DescriptionDescriptionssss

LOCATION The Bends WindyGap Enon Petrusvlei Speenkoppies WindyGap Iswepe (Sappi) (NCT) (Sappi) (Mondi) (Sappi) (Mondi) Species: E. bicostata E. bicostata E. bicostata E. bicostata E. nobilis E. nobilis Planted: 4/12/1997 29/10/1998 28/10/1998 18/11/1998 2/12/1997 13/11/1997 Site history: One rotation of - - One rotation of P. patula - P. patula Eucalypts Altitude (m): 1620 1150 1320 1210 1610 1390 MAP (mm): 900 980 960 894 900 890 MAT ( 000C):C):C): 14.5 16.5 14.5 16.8 14.6 16.6 Soil depth (mm): 1000 >1000 >1000 700-1200 1000 800 Provenances: Narrow Neck Ridge Narrow Neck Ridge Narrow Neck Ridge Narrow Neck Ridge Nullo Mtn SF Nullo Mtn SF Nullo Mtn (W) Nullo Mtn (W) Nullo Mtn (W) Nullo Mtn (W) Coolah Tops Coolah Tops Nullo Mtn (N) Nullo Mtn (N) Nullo Mtn (N) Nullo Mtn (N) Mt Kaputar Mt Kaputar Nundle Nundle Butter Leaf SF Butter Leaf SF Chaelundi SF Chaelundi SF Styx River SF Styx River SF Forest Land SF Forest Land SF No. of families: 26 26 26 26 100 100 Controls: 8 controls: E. nitens, E. macarthurii, E.dunnii, E. grandis, E. biturbinata , E. GXN 069, 6 controls: E. nitens, E. macarthurii, E. GXN 075, E. smithii E. NxB, E. dorrigoensis, E. smithii, E. cypellocarpa Design: 6 trees/plot; 4 replications

ICFR Central Region Field Day © ICFR 2007 Page 16 Results: Table 1 provides a summary of all information gathered on the species’ performance with regard to different growth characteristics, as compared to current commercial species (adapted from Swain and Gardner, 2003).

ICFR provenance trials: Mycosphaerella infection The E. bicostata trials were assessed at 12 and 30 months after planting for susceptibility to the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella nobilosa . This pathogen causes severe defoliation of juvenile leaves during early growth, resulting in a long-term impact on overall growth. Fungus damage of leaves was assessed by employing a four point score (0 to 3) developed by the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), as follows: 0 for no infection, 1 for <50% of the leaves infected, 2 for infection >50% but <90%, and 3 for infection >90% (Morley, 2001).

At 12 months, the level of Mycosphaerella infection was more severe than at 30 months. Narrow Neck Ridge (NNR) provenance displayed significantly less (p<0.05) infection than all other provenances and controls at all sites at both 12 and 30 months. It was interesting to note that the level of infection dropped markedly between the 12 and 30 months measurements for NNR, but less so for all other provenances and treatments. Contrary to expectations, the level of infection at the cooler, higher altitude site at Windy Gap was similar to that of the other three warmer, lower altitude sites, where it was expected that Mycosphaerella infection would have been higher (Roux, 2000).

Growth measurements: Overbark diameter at breast height (dbh) and height measurements were recorded in the two E. nobilis trials at 68 months after planting, and in the four E. bicostata trials between 80 and 96 months, and basal areas calculated from these measurements. Significant provenance differences exist for growth in both species (Figures 1 and 2).

The E. nobilis provenance of Coolah Tops performed significantly worse than the top provenances at both sites. The material from Chaelundi SF performed significantly better than the poorer provenances at both sites, as did Forest Land and Butter Leaf at The Bends (Figure 1).

Top E. nobilis families performed as well as, or better than, the top commercial controls at the Windy Gap site for basal area, although not for dbh.

The E. bicostata Narrow Neck Ridge (NNR) provenance performed significantly better than the two other provenances, this due to the fact that the NNR material was more tolerant of Mycosphaerella infection, and was able to move into mature foliage faster than the Nullo provenances (Figure 2).

Top families from the E. bicostata NNR provenance performed better than, or similarly to, the best commercial controls in the external blocks for mean plot basal area at three of the sites. At Windy Gap, the performance of the top NNR families was approximately 35% better than the top external control. General growth of this species was best at the Enon and Windy Gap sites.

Table 1. Summary of some cold tolerant eucalypt species grown in South Africa, with comparative rankings for growth characteristics.

Comparative ranking Minimu Optimum m Altitudinal Minimum Snout beetle Phytophthora MAT Cold Frost Snow Drought Species MAP range soil depth resistance resistance range tolerance tolerance tolerance tolerance 1-resistant 1- resistant °°° range (m) (cm) 1-very high 1-very high 1-high 1-high ( C) 4-highly 4-highly (mm) 4-fair 4-slight 4-sensitive 4-sensitive susceptible susceptible E. bicostata 14.0-17.0 800-950 1200-1500 45 2 4 2 3 2 1 E. macarthurii 14.0-18.0 780-925 1150-1500 40 2 1 4 2 3 2 E. nitens 14.0-16.0 825-950 > 1350 45 1 2 1 3 2 1 E. nobilis 14.0-17.0 825-950 > 1300 50 1 1 1 3 3 1 E. smithii 15.0-18.0 830-950 1100-1500 40 3 3 3 2 3 4

PROVENANCE BASAL AREA PROVENANCE BASAL AREA

40.00 60.00

30.00 40.00 20.00 20.00 AREA/HA

10.00 MEAN PLOT

BASALAREA/HA 0.00 MEAN MEAN PLOT BASAL 0.00 Windy Gap Enon Petrusvlei Speenkoppies Windy Gap The Bends TRIAL SITES TRIAL SITES

Chaelundi SF Forest Land Butter Leaf Styx River Nullo Mtn NNR Bol. Mtn Nullo N Nullo W CB Tas KI Tas Nundle E. viminalis Wattle Flat Mt. Kaputar Coolah Tops E. smi NXB E. nit E. mac E. gra E. dun E. smi E. dor E. nit E. mac

Figure 111... Provenance results at 96 months for E. nobilis trials at two sites. Figure 222... Provenance results for the E. bicostata trials at four sites , at 96, 84, 80 and 96 months respectively.

References Gardner RAW, Gardiner C and Schofield A. 2000. 'Combined report on 1997 ICFR/CSIRO collaborative seed collection trip in northern new South Wales, Australia.' Internal Report 02/2002. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Morley T. 2001. Guidelines for disease impact rating for Eucalypt species, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, Pietermaritzburg. Roux J. 2000. Mycosphaerella species and effects of altitude on severity of infection. Pretoria, FABI. Swain T-L and Gardner RAW. 2003. Cold Tolerant Eucalypt Species (CTEs) A summary of information for site-species matching and optimum growth. ICFR Innovations 03-2003. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research.

Take home points

E. bicostata provenances from the summer rainfall region in Australia out performed the E. globulus controls from the winter rainfall region for growth. The E. bicostata provenance from Narrow Neck Ridge was least affected by Mycosphaerella leaf spot disease. The Narrow Neck Ridge provenance out performed the other two E. bicostata provenances for growth, as a result of the tolerance to Mycosphaerella . The E. nobilis provenance, Chaelundi SF, is recommended for establishment on high altitude sites in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa, and the Coolah Tops provenance should be avoided. E. nobilis has been found to have high snow tolerance. Trial results have shown that provenance and family differences exist for growth and disease resistance for both of these provenances, confirming that potential for improvement does exists and these minor eucalypt species may have potential for the South African forestry industry.