Programme Manager: Dr Chris
Harwood.
Research in genetics, silviculture and wood quality assessment
is integrated in this programme to increase the value and
profitability of eucalypt plantations.
Some CRC members grow plantations solely for pulpwood, and are
primarily interested in improving volume production, optimising
wood density and pulp yield.
Other members are developing plantations to serve solid and
engineered-wood markets, where different log and wood quality
criteria are important.
The
relationships between log and wood traits and performance in
processing systems (for example, sawing and drying performance) are
critical in defining and improving value.
We are therefore conducting processing studies and liaising
closely with other processing research groups to better understand
the wood properties that drive value for different end uses.
Major programme outputs will include:
- Tools and methods for quantitative and molecular breeding for
pulpwood and solid wood breeding objectives,
- Empirical models of growth and size class distribution in
silviculturally managed stands that will link to the process-based
models of CRC Research Programme One
- Improved understanding of how the scheduling of pruning and
thinning affect log and wood traits, processing performance and
consequent value,
- Improved assessment methods for key wood traits at the
individual tree and stand levels,
- Decision support systems that integrate information on
germplasm, site, silviculture and stand assessment to enable
plantation managers to maximise profitability for defined end
uses.
Programme structure:
- Project 2.1 Breeding for high-value wood products
- Project 2.2 Silviculture for high-value solid and engineered
wood products
- Project 2.3 Impact of silviculture interventions on wood
quality into plantation estate management
- Project 2.4 Incorporating wood quality into plantation estate
management
- Project 2.5 High-value wood products from subtropical
plantations
