ICFR Melmoth Field Day Field Day Field

IIICFRICFR Melmoth Field Day

Date: Tuesday 141414 ththth November 2006 Venue: Manzini Estate & Mondi BP, Melmoth Time: 0008 0888h30h30 for 090909h0009 h00

PROGRAMME

08h30 TEA & COFFEE sponsored by NCT IN-DOOR PRESENTATIONS 09h00 Welcome and Introduction to events of the day ICFR Presentation on the Spes Bona and Manzini 09h10 Brian Aitken Host/NCT Estate farms 09h20 Introduction to the ICFR Prof. Colin Dyer ICFR Commercial deployment of eucalypt vegetation 09h45 Keith Little ICFR management in South Africa. Self regulation initiative to address heavy vehicle 10h10 Francois Oberholzer ICFR overloading in South Africa 10h35 REFRESHMENTS sponsored by NCT Izette Greyling/Ryan 10h50 Pests and diseases of the region. FABI Nadel 11h15 Catchment Management Agencies. Prof. Peter Roberts IN-FIELD PRESENTATIONS 11h50 Depart for field visits (include tour around Manzini Estate) 4th year results of ICFR mid-altitude eucalypt site-species interaction trials. (Visit to some of Robin Gardner ICFR the relevant species) 13h30 Depart for field stop 2 – Mondi BP Visit to Mondi’s Eucalyptus grandis x E. nitens Dean da Costa Mondi BP trial site comparing various clones. 14h00 Depart for field stop 3 - Mondi BP Eucalypt coppice management – practical Denis Oscroft ICFR

guidelines Sean Smith Mondi BP LUNCH IN FIELD sponsored by Mondi BP

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 1 About the Institute for Commercial Forestry ResearchResearch (IC(ICFR)FR):FR) : What is the ICFR and how do growers access it?

Colin Dyer ([email protected])) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, P O Box 100281, Scottsville 3209

The Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) is an applied forest research institute owned and funded by the South African forestry industry. As such, its mandate is to conduct directed and relevant research on behalf of its members with the overall objective of contributing to a continual improvement of tree growing in a sustainable and responsible way.

The ICFR’s research activities are focused in four broad areas: Tree Improvement (eucalypts and wattle); Re-establishment; Sustainable Forest Productivity and Forest Engineering, and within each of these we run several projects to address specific aspects.

The ICFR operates in a multi-disciplinary, project-based way to ensure that relevant issues are addressed through the research projects. The operating model is user-driven and relies on an effective partnership between members and the research teams.

The ICFR communicates its research results through a range of formats to ensure that members can make decisions to implement these. These include field day presentations and demonstrations, technical reports (bulletins and technical notes), summary documents (Annual Research Review and newsletters), scientific papers and focused workshops and meetings.

Members of the ICFR can access information from the ICFR in a number of ways, from a web- based information system that contains full text reports and articles on the work that has and is being done, to one-on-one interactions at field days. Of course this information is only available to the ICFR members.

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 2 Commercial deployment of eucalypt vegetation management standards in South Africa.

Keith Little ([email protected])) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, P O Box 100281, Scottsville 3209

During the 1990’s a number of trials were implemented in the summer rainfall region of South Africa to determine both the short- and long-term impacts of competing vegetation on eucalypt growth. Trial sites were selected according to different physiographic regions, and as such, covered a range of altitudinal, climatic and environmental gradients. Although the understanding gained from these trials allowed for the development of appropriate and cost-effective vegetation management recommendations, the operational viability of these recommendations needed to be tested on a commercial basis. Going hand in hand with this was the out-sourcing of current weed control operations in South Africa to weed control contractors and this created the need for minimum standards against which they could be assessed.

Based on the results from the initial research, five eucalypt trials were initiated to test the applicability of the recommendations under commercial conditions. The costs associated with each treatment were used to determine their economic viability in terms of tree performance. Two of the trials were situated at low-altitude sites (< 1000 m a.s.l.), one at a mid-altitude site (1200 m a.s.l.), and two at high-altitude sites (> 1400 m a.s.l.). Several vegetation control treatments based on previous trial results, were developed to suit the predicted vegetation load at each site. These were applied as part of commercial operations and varied according to either weeding intensity (high, moderate and low), or area around the tree that was weeded (no vegetation control, a 2m row weeding and complete vegetation control).

Following tree crown closure in all of the treatments, vegetation control operations were linked to that of tree growth performance, allowing for the development of different cost:benefit ratios. The intensity of vegetation control operations required to produce significant growth benefits decreased with altitude, as did the area that needed to be kept free from competing vegetation. In direct contrast to the two high-altitude sites, where tree performance did not benefit from vegetation control, a significant tree growth improvement was recorded for the highest intensity vegetation control operations at the two low-altitude sites. Relative to low-altitude sites, the cost:benefit ratios at the mid-altitude site indicated either a reduction in the intensity of vegetation control operations, or in the area that needed to be weeded.

Take home points:

Besides demonstrating the commercial applicability of research results, this series of trials: ••• Has shown that site dependent vegetation management is viable on a commercial scale, ••• Will allow the forest industry to adjust their weed control budgets on a regional scale (linked to altitude), and ••• Will provide the companies with tree growth data and associated weed control costs for various weed management scenarios within one region.

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 3 SelfSelf----regulationregulation initiative to address heavy vehicle overloading in South AfricaAfrica....

Francois Oberholzer ([email protected]) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, P O Box 100281, Scottsville 3209

Overloading of road transport vehicles poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the timber industry. It leads to accelerated infrastructure deterioration, increasing the cost to move freight. The Road Transport Management System (formerly known is LAP) is a project that was launched in 2003 in the timber industry to combat overloading, but also to improve driver wellness and vehicle fitness. Several other industry sectors have joined the initiative, including the Chamber of Mines, South African Aggregate and Sand Producers Association, South African Bitumen Association, The Road Freight Association and African Trucking Association. Overloading has dropped by 40% in the timber industry as a result of the project.

Two concessions have been granted to accredited operators, namely “Weigh-Less” and Performance Based Standards for Heavy Vehicles (PBS). “Weigh-less” allows accredited operators to receive preferential treatments at provincial weighbridges, i.e . they will be stopped less frequently at the discretion of the traffic officials. The timber industry has also secured the right to design, build and operate two PBS vehicles. These vehicles will be designed outside the current prescriptive legislation, but with inherent safer and more efficient design features. These vehicles will also not violate any of the regulations designed to protect the road infrastructure. The GCM of these vehicles would be between 60 and 65 tons, with a total length of not more than 25 metres.

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 4 Pests and diseases of the region

Izette Greyling & Ryan Nadel ([email protected]) ([email protected]) Forestry and Biotechnology Institute

Thaumastocoris in South Africa Thaumastocoris was first reported in South Africa feeding on commercially grown eucalypts in 2005. Little is known about its biology, natural enemies and control. The main commercial species of Eucalyptus that have been attacked are the E. grandis x E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x E. urophylla hybrids, although E. grandis, E. tereticornis and most recently E. smithii are also being severely infested. Initial infestations are detected by the reddening of the canopy leaves of infested trees. The progression of the infestation can be noted by the changing of the foliage to a reddish-yellow colour, coupled with the loss of leaves with branches and even entire trees dieing back, during severe infestations.

Thaumastocoris is present in all the main eucalypt growing areas of the country, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Zululand, KZN Midlands and Western Cape. Australian researchers have discovered that a potential new species of Thaumastocoris (not Thaumastocoris australicus) is infesting Eucalyptus trees in Australia, Argentina and South Africa. To date, no biological control agents or specific insecticides exist to control Thaumastocoris . These options of control continue to be investigated.

Plantation diseases: an update for 2006 The majority of samples received at the TPCP/CTHB Diagnostic Clinic were, as in the past, related to the pitch canker fungus Fusarium circinatum . These samples included routine screening of nursery material for the pitch canker fungus as well as disease diagnoses. Since the first report of this disease in 1990, it has spread to both commercial and private nurseries involved in the production of various Pinus species. It was largely considered a problem in nurseries and newly transplanted Pinus compartments, with two or three outbreaks on three to four-year-old trees in the field. However, earlier this year, the pitch canker stem disease was reported for the first time in South Africa, from the Western Cape, occurring on five and nine- year- old P. radiata trees. The disease is characterised by tip and branch die-back, as well as stem lesions exuding profuse amounts of resin than run down the stem. This poses a major threat to pine plantations in South Africa. Management strategies for this disease should include selection and breeding strategies for disease tolerance as well as appropriate silviculture and site management.

There has also been a rise in the incidence of Diplodia infections throughout pine growing regions. Diplodia pinea (syn. Sphaeropsis sapinea ) is a stress-associated, opportunistic pathogen that occurs on healthy tissue as an endophyte. Stress factors such as wounding, hail damage, drought, heat, cold, frost, fire etc. induce the fungus to cause disease, symptoms of which can include shoot death, root rot, blue stain and/or stem cankers. These stress factors serve to make the seedling/tree more susceptible to attack or infection by a multitude of pests or pathogens. Although many of the factors like drought and cold cannot be controlled, factors like planting technique, site species matching and correct silvicultural practices can and should be managed to reduce the spread and impact of this disease.

A crucial part in a pest and disease management programme remains early detection. The TPCP, therefore, encourages all farmers and foresters to report any new or unusual symptoms they may observe on their trees. This might just be the first report of a serious new problem in a specific area, and early detection can lead to early action such as release of biological control agents in the case of Sirex . Please don’t hesitate to contact the TPCP about any disease or pest problem. We are there to help where possible.

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 5 Contact people: Field Services and Diagnostic Clinic: Jolanda Roux (082 909 3202; [email protected] ) Diagnostic Clinic: Izette Greyling (083 269 1983; [email protected] ) Entomological Services and Sirex: Brett Hurley (082 909 3211; [email protected] Director: Mike Wingfield [email protected] Pine Fusarium Screening: Teresa Coutinho (012 420 3934; [email protected] Treehealthnet list server: Wilhelm de Beer [email protected]

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 6 Catchment Management Agencies

Prof. Peter Roberts ([email protected])

WHO MANAGES THE WATER RESOURCES

• The Minister (via DWAF) • Catchment Management Agencies and their committees • Water User Associations • International Water Bodies • Advisory Committees • Major Water Boards (Water Utilities?) • Water Service Authorities

RED is NWA BLUE is WSA

Chapter 7: Catchment Management Procedure for establishment cont Agencies (CMAs) – • AC recommends to Minister which 77 Content of proposals to establish a organisations should serve on the Board CMA – Minister decides which organisations will be • 78 Procedure for establishment of CMA invited to nominate representatives – Proposal to the Minister – Nominations are made by the selected – Proposal Gazetted (60 days) organisations – Minister appoints Advisory Committee (AC) – Minister appoints the Board (81) – AC consults organs of State and interest – Minister delegates powers to the Board groups (81)

Ch 7: CMAs continued CMA Structure

• 79 General powers and duties of a CMA (see Schedule 3) CMA Head Office • 80 Initial functions of a CMA – Investigate and advise – Develop a catchment management strategy CMC CMC CMC – Coordinate WMI and water users AREA 1 AREA 2 AREA 3 – Coordinate with Water Services Act (plans) – Promote community participation WUA WB WUGs IWB WSA

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 7 Water User Associations Catchment Management Agencies WUA CMA • A co-operative association of individual • The agent of the Minister in the WMA water users who wish to undertake • water-related activities for their mutual Every person in the WMA a ‘member’ in . that the objective is to involve local benefit people in decision making about • No water user can be forced to become a management of local water resources member • Organisations nominate representatives • Management Committee composed of to serve on the Board individual water users who are elected by • All water users pay water use charges the members • Only members pay WUA charges

Interaction between NWA and WSA The Process of Implementation MINISTER New Water Legislation establishes DWAF Catchment Management Agency WB Institutional Structures Reserve Determination Allocation of water

Allocates bulk raw water NWRS Preliminary Existing lawful Reserve water use SALGA Water Services Authority Determination

Delivers bulk treated water WMI Classification of Verification (CMA) Resources Water Services Provider

CMS Full Reserve Compulsory reticulation Determination Licensing Consumer Reallocation

Catchment Management Forums Usutu to Mhlathuze WMA CONTACT Nasima Kader, Pravitha Jairam, Nozipho Seme CMFs Mkhondo 16 Nov Senior Admin Clerk Amathigulu 15 Nov Catchment Management – KZN Mhlathuze 8 Nov DWAF St Lucia 24 Oct 031-336 2903 tel, 031-3362902, 031-3362752 Mhlathuze Irr Forum 1 Nov [email protected] WUAs Makhathini [email protected] Phongola Mkhondo

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 8 Investigating the environmental adaptation of promising subsub----ttttropicalropical and coldcold----toleranttolerant eucalypt species in the warm temperate cliclimatemate zone of KwaZuluKwaZulu----Natal:Natal: four year trial results

Robin A W Gardner ([email protected]) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, P O 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 northern Eastern Cape provinces (Schönau and Gardner, 1991; Gardner, 2001b). However, uncertainty still existed about the environmental adaptability of these species, e.g. the approximate upper and lower mean annual temperature (MAT) thresholds for the different species were unknown. Without this information, it was not possible to make informed site-species matching decisions regarding the new species. To address these issues, a series of trials was established across a range of sites in the warm temperate climate zone (Smith et al . 2005) of KwaZulu-Natal during February 2001( Table 1 ). Included in the trial series were all the sub-tropical and cold-tolerant eucalypt species previously identified as highly promising in earlier ICFR site-species interaction trials ( Table 222).

Table 1 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 Paulpietersburg

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.

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 9 Table 2 OOOrigin O 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 mac5583 x x E. acmenoides 15606 2 26.9 km 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 M t (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 . bicostata 18587 2 Walcha SF (NSW) 30 0 55’ 15 20 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 Kaputar NP (NSW) 30 0 17’ 150 0 08’ 1250 nob 198 05 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 vol 19804 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 M9254 1 Zululand S.O. bulk (RSA) - - - uro M925 4 x x

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

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 10 Table 3 Ranked 48-month basal area for Rooipoort, Babanango ### Species and seedlot number mmm222 ha ---1-1 E. grandis M7849 18.67 a E. benthamii 19374 17.65 ab E. badjensis 19424 17.15 abc E. oreades 17344 16.98 abc E. dunnii 10356 16.93 abc E. macarthurii Jessievale bulk 16.88 abc E. badjensis 19605 16.64 abcd E. benthamii 19282 16.56 abcd E. dorrigoensis VRD97/06 15.33 bcde E. globulus ssp bicostata 18587 15.18 bcde E. smithii 10040 14.5 cdef E. deanei 19281 14.38 cdef E. nobilis 19800 13.79 def E. globulus ssp maidenii 18728 13.17 efg E. deanei 18733 12.68 efg E. saligna 17750 12.24 fg E. nobilis 19805 11.89 fg E. cypellocarpa 19798 10.76 E. urophylla M9254 8.12 E. biturbinata 19812 8.05 E. volcanica 19804 7.95 C. henryi 13572 7.87 E. biturbinata 19809 7.8 C. maculata 5583 7.58 E. punctata 19797 7. 42 E. punctata 19352 7.04 C. henryi 10250 6.59 E. acmenoides 15606 6.43 E. longirostrata 15637 5.23 E. moluccana 15877 2.52 Mean 11.80 LSD (P < 0.05) 2.89 # within this column, values followed by the same letter are not significantly different ( p < 0.05)

Take home points based on 4848----monthmonth resultsresults:::: Commercial control species: Eucalyptus grandis and E. dunnii are the two top-performing commercial control species across all sites. No disease or pest problems observed to date rd Eucalyptus smithii is the 3 best control, but suffered significant mortalities from Phytophthora root-rot disease at the warmest site, Eersteling (MAT 18.2 0 C). th Eucalyptus macarthurii was 4 best control, but performed poorly at the warm Eersteling site. No disease or pest problems to date.

Unimproved coldcold----toleranttolerant species: Eucalyptus benthamii and closely related E. dorrigoensis (formerly E. benthamii var dorrigoensis ) have performed well across all sites. No disease or pest problems observed to date. Eucalyptus benthamii Bents Basin provenance was not outperformed by any of the commercial control species at any of the sites. Eucalyptus benthamii may be considered a potential alternative to all control species for the range of warm temperate sites. Eucalyptus badjensis Brown Mt a potential alternative to E. smithii and E. macarthurii at warm temperate sites where MAT < 17.0 0 C.

ICFR Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 11 Take home points cont.. 0 Eucalyptus badjensis poor performance at sites where MAT > 17.0 C was due to Phytophthora infection problems. It appears the Brown Mt provenance of E. badjensis may have better resistance to Phytophthora infection than Badja SF provenance. Eucalyptus deanei Mount Spirabo performed well at most sites and may be considered a promising alternative to E. smithii and E. macarthurii for warm temperate sites. Wood property tests warranted.

Unimproved subsub----tropicaltropical species: Eucalyptus saligna Kenilworth performed well at most sites and may be considered a potential alternative to E. smithii and E. macarthurii for warm temperate sites where MAT >16.0 0 C. Corymbia maculata Warwick experienced problems with bacterial blight ( Pantoea ananatis ) during the first two years, but is now showing promise at sites where MAT >16.0 0 C. Other species which performed well in the Zululand trials, such as C. henryi, E. longirostrata and E. punctata , have performed poorly under the range of warm temperate conditions in KwaZulu-Natal.

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 Melmoth Regional Field Day © ICFR 2006 Page 12 Visit to Mondi’s Eucalyptus grandis x E. nitens trials site comparing various clones.

Dean da Costa ([email protected]) Mondi Business Paper, P O Box 39, Pietermaritzburg 3200

Denis Oscroft [email protected] Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, P O Box 59, Kwambonambi, 3915

Before deciding to coppice, consider the following • Is the correct species or clone growing on the site? • Are the trees planted at the correct espacement? • Is the stocking of the stand good or are there many gaps due to mortality?

To ensure adequate stump survival and coppicing potential • When trees are felled the bark must remain firmly attached to the stump. • Cut trees 10 – 15 cm above the ground • Brush must not be piled onto the stumps as light is essential for coppice shoot growth • During the loading and extraction of logs, be careful not to damage the stumps

Coppice Reductions • The first reduction should be done when the dominant shoot is 3 to 4 m high and two well spaced shoots per stump should be left. • The second reduction should be done when the dominant shoot is 6 to 8 m high and 1 shoot per stump should be left. • To compensate for mortality, additional shoots should be left on stumps next to gaps. Two shoots can also be left on all stumps at the edges of the stand. • The number of shoots per Ha should not exceed the original stocking. • During reduction operations, care should be taken not to damage the remaining coppice shoots. • The remaining shoots should be the well spaced, dominant shoots.

ICFR research has shown • There is no additional growth response to the application of fertiliser or to the control of weeds. Alien weeds, however, should be controlled. • Coppice performance is suppressed by uncontrolled coppice re-growth. • Most damage to stumps happens during the extraction of logs and is caused by vehicles riding over stumps and stripping off the bark. • An early coppice reduction, when the dominant shoot height is 2 to 3 m, does not increase the final yield. It does, however, stimulate more secondary growth, which has to be controlled.