1. Right site, right management: When alternative species can be a viable option to radiata pine Dean Meason

2. Overview Brief history of forestry species in New Zealand Pros and cons of alternative species Site sensitivity and management Future Forest Research on alternative species Mapping productivity Where to plant? Summary

3. Forestry species Large number of exotic species introduced in early 20 th Century Species were either not successful  e.g. Larch Or were not appropriately sited/managed  e.g. Coast redwood Or were successful  e.g. Douglas-fir But…..

4. Forestry species Pinus radiata was introduced from Monterey, California and trumped all other species!  Not sensitive to site  High growth rates  Short rotation By 1987 radiata pine dominated new plantings and with the demise of NZFS, alternative species plantings dwindled further Today alternative species is <10% of plantation forests

5. Forestry species With a long track record and high productivity, can alternative species compete with radiata pine? Yes, if the alternative species is sited correctly and managed properly  In the right location, productivity can match or exceed radiata pine

6. Eucalyptus regnans Productive 31 year-old stand: 48 m 3 /ha/yr at 484 SPH

7. Eucalyptus fastigata Highly productive 21 year-old stand: 41 m 3 /ha/yr at 1000 SPH

8. Coast Redwood Very productive 13-yr-old stand: 17 m 3 /ha/yr at 350 SPH

9. Challenges with alternative species Limited tree breeding Site sensitive Weed control and management is very important Limited productivity data Limited grade recovery/economic data Underdeveloped markets

10. Challenges with alternative species Limited tree breeding Site sensitive Weed control and management is very important Limited productivity data Limited grade recovery/economic data Underdeveloped markets

11. Site sensitive Alternative species are not like radiata! Sites must be selected carefully, for example: E. regnans  Grows poorly in soil with low fertility  Frost sensitive E. fastigata  Doesn’t like wet feet Coast redwood  Doesn’t like soil that is too dry and too wet

12. Alternative species are sensitive to siting East Coast – Wet ground resulted in large % of deaths of Eucalyptus fastigata

13. Alternative species are sensitive to siting East Coast – Same compartment, but better drainage resulting in trees with good volume and high survival

14. Weed control and management is very important 9-yr-old redwood stand in Northland – result of no follow-up releasing after establishment

15. 9-yr-old redwood stand in Northland – intense competition with radiata Weed control and management is very important

16. Redwood stands in Canterbury – Good management on right, bad management on left Weed control and management is very important

17. Productive redwood stand in East Coast – BUT never thinned or pruned Weed control and management is very important

18. Redwood stands in Manawatu – well sited and well managed

19. Site sensitive Research in the last 20 years has drastically improved our understanding of siting and management needs of alternative species More certainty of a successful crop at end of rotation

20. Research until mid-2000’s summarised in various publications

21. www.scionresearch.com

22. Since 2008: Latest advances in FFR publications www.ffr.co.nz

23. Future Forest Research on alternative species Douglas-fir Eucalyptus fastigata and nitens Coast Redwood Cypresses Totara and Kauri Contingency species

24. Large number of programs including:  Tree breeding and deployment  Silvicultural trials  Tree health  Development of growth models  Development of spatial productivity maps  Wood property and sawing studies  Economic calculators Future Forest Research on alternative species

25. Productivity information limited A)Douglas-fir B)Eucalyptus spp C)Cypresses D)Coast Redwood E)Totara & Kauri F)Poplars

26. Mapping productivity Statistical models: multiple regression  Empirical modelling approach  Statistical analysis of environmental variables from PSP network Process-based models  Tree physiology approach  Physiological limitations to growth  Environmental data as model input

27. Mapping productivity Potential rooting depth – Landcare/Scion

28. Cypresses PSP network

29. Mapping productivity Cupressus lusitanica Developed with a statistical regression model Site index maps of sawlog regime for: Ex-pasture sites Ex-forest sites

30. Redwood PSP network

31. Mapping productivity Coast redwood Sequoia sempervirens Developed with statistical regression model Productivity maps of sawlog regime

32. Eucalyptus PSP network

33. Mapping productivity Eucalyptus fastigata Developed with the process-based model 3-PG Productivity maps of sawlog and pulp regimes

34. Productivity maps – E. fastigata

36. 10591 FID 10590 ID 10591 GRIDCODE 20 Productivity maps – E. fastigata

37. Productivity maps – E. fastigata Process –based model 3-PG

38. Mapping productivity Spatial maps provide productivity information for the first time throughout New Zealand  Provides the ability to compare potential productivity of species with radiata  Data can be used for economic analysis of planting alternative species

39. Mapping productivity Although vast improvement, weakness remain  Potential productivity only – extrapolated from models  Maps limited by accuracy of model and model inputs - Statistical model: accurate up to ~ 5 x 5 km - Process-based model: accurate up to ~ 500 x 500 m - Understanding of species requirements still required  Upcoming research should improve modelling to the compartment level

40. Where to plant?

41. E. fastigata Redwood E. fastigata, E. regnans, C. lusitanica

42. Summary Siting and management requirements for alternative species more sensitive than radiata With good siting and management, growth rates can match or exceed radiata pine Research has dramatically improved understanding of alternative species  So a highly productive stand is not a fluke anymore!

43. Summary Productivity maps provide comparison of potential productivity with existing radiata pine stands  However, maps provide guidance only  Expert siting of each species still required Upcoming research will provide understanding of growth limitations on a site  Ability to accurate site forestry species to maximise productivity and economic return

44. Dedication Ian Nicholas: 1953 - 2013