Durable Eucalypts on Drylands: Protecting and Enhancing Value
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DURABLE EUCALYPTS ON DRYLANDS: PROTECTING AND ENHANCING VALUE Clemens M. Altaner, Tara J. Murray and Justin Morgenroth (Eds) WORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS 2017 Workshop held at the Marlborough Research Centre, Blenheim, New Zealand, April 19th 2017. PREFACE The workshop “Durable Eucalypts on Drylands: Protecting and Enhancing Value” was held on the 19 April 2017 at the Marlborough Research Centre in Blenheim. On the 20 April 2017 a field visit followed to one of the NZ Dryland Forests Initiative’s (NZDFI) breeding trials, located on land owned by the Marlborough District Council near Blenheim, and then to Nelson Pine Industries Ltd’s LVL processing plant in Richmond, Nelson. The main aims of the workshop were (i) to inform our supporters and the wider public of the recent progress in establishing a forest industry based on durable eucalypts and (ii) to enable international experts to review our research programme. While the challenges associated with growing and processing durable eucalypts are general, those organising this workshop have a specific interest in addressing local issues and uncertainties. The workshop attracted participants spanning a broad range of nationalities, interests and expertise, and we gained valuable feedback on the NZDFI research programme. The workshop enabled NZDFI to strengthen and expand domestic and international collaborations. We thank all the speakers and their companies/organisations for their support. The speakers’ time in preparing material for the proceedings and their participation at the workshop was greatly appreciated. We thank those who helped to organise the workshop and the field trip, in particular Gerald Hope and Mandy Mitchell (Marlborough Research Centre); Harriet Palmer, Ash Millen and Ruth McConnochie (NZDFI); Vicki Wilton and Jeanette Allen (University of Canterbury) and Richard Barry (Nelson Pine Industries Ltd). We acknowledge all the sponsors of NZDFI’s research, and those who supported our workshop: AGMARDT, MPI Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF project 407602), Neil Barr Foundation, Nelson Pine Industries Ltd, Proseed, Ernslaw One, Kaingaroa Timberlands, Vineyard Timbers, Marlborough Lines, Forest Grower Levy Trust, MBIE’s Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership (SWP) and Juken New Zealand. Clemens M. Altaner, Tara J. Murray and Justin Morgenroth (Editors) August 2017 New Zealand School of Forestry, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. Videos of the talks are available at http://nzdfi.org.nz/news-and- events/resources/workshop-durable-eucalypts-protecting-and-enhancing-value/. i Durable Eucalypts on Drylands: Protecting and Enhancing Value 2017. TABLE OF CONTENTS Shaf van Ballekom & NZDFI: achievements, constraints 1-11 Paul Millen and opportunities. Serajis Salekin, Justin Site characterisation and growth 12-25 Morgenroth & Euan modelling for durable eucalypts: a Mason case study in Marlborough, New Zealand. Tim Wardlaw Managing the health of plantation 26-38 eucalypts in Tasmania. Tara Murray & Huimin Managing insect pest risks for 39-53 Lin durable eucalypts in New Zealand: optimised monitoring and selection for tolerance. Monika Sharma & New Zealand grown eucalypts for 54-62 Clemens Altaner rotary peeled veneer production. Jeffrey Morrell & Non-destructive assessment of 63-76 Shalinney Lipeh natural durability: a U.S. perspective. Laurie Cookson Determining the natural durability of 77-84 eucalypts in Australia. Yanjie Li & Clemens Improving heartwood quality of 85-103 Altaner durable eucalypts. Paul Schroeder Propagation of eucalypts. 104-111 David Leung Tissue culture of eucalypts: 112-116 micropropagation of Eucalyptus bosistoana. Tomo Kakitani The global timberlization movement 117-123 and the potential for durable eucalypts: downstream opportunities. ii Durable Eucalypts on Drylands: Protecting and Enhancing Value 2017. S. VAN BALLEKOM AND P. MILLEN NZDFI: ACHIEVEMENTS, CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Abstract We believe the development of a durable eucalypt resource in New Zealand is a transformational opportunity, and the NZDFI has the vision and the resources to make it reality. Using areas of dry, marginal farmland, the NZDFI aims to create a naturally durable, highly coloured eucalypt resource. The timber will mimic the most valuable tropical hardwoods. Our aim is that New Zealand will compete on innovation and excellence rather than price; our work is underpinned by increasing scarcity of tropical timbers and environmental constraints limiting their supply. New Zealand should enjoy a comparative advantage in that relatively low-value, marginal pastoral dryland can be used to grow high- value timber. With our elite breeding populations we will have ‘first mover’ advantage. In addition, we believe New Zealand will become the partner of choice for international dryland ventures. 1. INTRODUCTION The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative (NZDFI) was established in 2008 as a collaborative tree breeding and forestry research project. The NZDFI’s aim is to select and improve drought tolerant eucalypts that produce high-quality naturally ground- durable hardwood. The NZDFI vision is for New Zealand to be a world-leader in breeding ground-durable eucalypts, and to be home to a valuable sustainable hardwood industry based on 100,000 hectares of eucalypt forests, by 2050. Markets for naturally ground-durable wood exist in New Zealand’s agricultural, transport and energy sectors. There is also potential for high-value specialty wood products for export to international markets (Millen, 2009). NZDFI’s unique research focus and strategic vision will benefit future generations of New Zealanders by delivering the plants and knowledge to forest growers, enabling them to select and grow eucalypt species suited to their site. NZDFI is providing landowners with a new option: that is, to grow eucalypts that will produce a high-quality durable timber that meets the requirements of domestic and international markets, and in doing so, diversify farm income. NZDFI eucalypts will also enhance environmental sustainability by combating soil erosion thanks to the trees’ extensive root systems and eucalypts propensity to coppice (regrow from a cut stump) following felling. The new hardwood forests envisaged will offer other benefits beyond wood production – for example, carbon sequestration, and nectar, pollen and habitat for bees and other fauna. NZDFI species also have a low wilding risk. NZDFI pursues a strategy that involves carefully matching species to site and to end- products. The focus is on geographic regions with less than 1000 mm/year average rainfall, especially regions where new land-use options are needed to diversify economic development. Therefore, rather than looking for generic species, we are 1 Durable Eucalypts on Drylands: Protecting and Enhancing Value 2017. S. VAN BALLEKOM & P. MILLEN 2 looking for species that complement New Zealand's main plantation species and have the potential to produce high-value products. At the same time, we need to help growers learn how to successfully establish these new species to ensure our target of 100,000 hectares is reached to produce a sustainable resource for a new hardwood industry. 2. DURABLE HARDWOOD MARKETS NZDFI’s inception came as a result of the project manager, Paul Millen, recognising the huge potential market in Marlborough for vineyard posts. The wine industry’s standard posts, made of CCA-treated radiata pine, cause a number of problems. They have high rates of breakage as a result of mechanical harvesting and their toxicity means they are very difficult to dispose of safely. This brought the identification of species which could produce timber ‘fit for purpose’ as vineyard posts into focus. Natural durability and strength are the two essential wood properties that made durable eucalypts an obvious choice. In addition, it soon became apparent that there were other potential market opportunities. New Zealand’s current annual timber imports exceed $500M; timber imported goes into markets well-suited to durable eucalypt timber including: cross arms for electricity networks sleepers for rail networks and urban landscaping wharf timbers for ports and marinas decking, outdoor landscaping and furniture. Further to this, there is significant export potential for both naturally durable solid wood products and high-strength laminated veneer lumber (LVL) increasingly being demanded in international timber construction markets. Knowledge of these potential markets has led the NZDFI into a product-focused research programme. It is envisaged that growers will benefit from two income streams, by harvesting at different ages: roundwood thinnings from around age 12 onwards: timber suitable for preservative-free posts and poles for vineyards, horticulture and organic enterprises, and potentially for rotary peeled veneers sawlog harvest at around age 24 onwards: timber for cross-arms, sleepers (rail and outdoor landscaping), small wharves and marinas, furniture and interior fittings (Asia), and engineered wood products. 3. PAST RESEARCH INITIATIVES The early experiences with growing eucalypts for solid wood products in New Zealand are summarised by (Barr, 1996). Two New Zealand eucalypt research initiatives in the early part of the 21st century are worth mentioning. Both of these projects were undertaken with scarce resources, and although done as well as possible given the resource constraints, ultimately are not suitable as the foundation for a serious breeding programme. S. VAN BALLEKOM & P. MILLEN 3 3.1. FRI/Scion