Radiata Management Page

Introduction

Radiata pine is the dominant forest species in New Zealand, occupying 92% of the plantation forest area. The species has been the subject of intensive research for at least half a century, by Scion and it’s predecessor organisations. The success New Zealand has experienced from intensively managing this species has been emulated around the world. However, as market conditions and environments change, growers are aware that further innovation is essential to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.
 
This Research Theme covers all aspects of radiata pine management including site management, growth modelling and plantation forest management. In particular, research is focused on soils, site and vegetation management, nutrition, silviculture, forest growth and yield forecasting as well as improving the understanding of fundamental wood quality research.
 
The Radiata Theme includes the long-term trials previously managed by the Research Cooperatives. This decision ensures the continuity of long term trials which often take years of monitoring and measuring to bear fruit.
 
The research work in this theme requires close links between the research programmes of the Radiata Pine Breeding Company, WQI and the Forest Biosecurity Research Council. The Radiata Pine Management Theme is also co-ordinated with the other three research themes within FFR.

Forest owners need to make regular assessments of the risks and opportunities arising from an ever-changing matrix of factors over a long-term (25 years plus) time frame. Factors include market requirements, environmental changes and genetic improvements.
 
Understanding these factors will enable foresters to manage their particular forests to gain maximum value from specific market opportunities.
 
The research programme for this theme focuses on developing models and tools for decision-making by forest owners to:

• Produce target trees grown for specific markets to improve revenues by 20%
• Develop site-specific management regimes to reduce growing costs by 15% and increase the value of wood grown per hectare by 50%
• Develop more accurate forecasting tools to reduce variability and uncertainty in wood supply and quality.