Farm Forestry New ZealandOctober, 2015
New resources available - practical information on growing cypresses and eucalypts for timber
A series of short videos and information notes providing basic practical information on growing cypresses and eucalypts for timber is now available. The resources, produced thanks to the MPI Sustainable Farming Fund, can be found on the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association website.
Cypresses and eucalypts are the two most widespread alternatives to radiata pine grown on farms and in small-scale plantations around New Zealand. Both species have the potential to produce high- value timber with a range of end uses, but growing them well requires more skill and attention to detail than is needed with radiata pine.
Project Manager, Harriet Palmer, says the resources are much needed.
“We identified the need for these resources during a nationwide series of ‘Trees on Farms’ workshops run by the NZ Farm Forestry Association, attended by a total of over 1,200 people at 27 workshops nationwide. The workshops were for novice tree growers, and participants told us that what they needed most was readily available ‘back to basics’ practical information,” says Harriet.
“Luckily there is a wealth of practical experience and expertise in growing cypresses and eucalypts within the farm forestry community. The new resources have been produced making the most of that expertise. I am very grateful to all the farm foresters who appear in the videos and who contributed to the handouts.”
The resources comprise:
- A series of short videos discussing and demonstrating techniques for establishment, pruning, thinning, and milling and markets for the timber.
- A set of information notes for each species providing more in-depth information for growers.
Links to the resources:
The MPI Sustainable Farming Fund funded the project, with further financial and in-kind contributions from the NZFFA, in particular the Eucalypt and Cypress Action Groups.
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