Farm Forestry New Zealand

Sustainable Farming Fund

Grant  2004/2005

Results so far, what we have achieved

Applicant Group: Eucalypt Action Group (A NZ Farm Forestry Action Group)

Applicant Group Profile

The New Zealand Farm Forestry Association was formed in 1957. It currently has 29 branches spread throughout New Zealand, and has approximately 3000 members. It also has special interest groups which focus on individual exotic farm forestry timber species. These function as "branches", with individual committees, newsletters and field days. The newest one is the eucalypt action group formed in 1992, this currently has about 80 members, but is increasing every year.

Contact Person’s Address Details: Richard Davies-Colley , 80 Millington Rd, RD 9, Whangarei .

Telephone: (09) 434 7725  E-mail: willie.and.dick@xtra.co.nz  Fax: (09)4347735

Project Manager: Richard Davies-Colley, chairman, Eucalypt Action Group.

Member 1 Dean Satchell,  Eucalypt Action Group

Member 2 Denis Hocking, Committee member Eucalypt Action Group

Member 3 Toni Withers, Forest Research

Member 4 Ian Nicholas, Newsletter editor Eucalypt Action Group

Proposed start date: February 2004

Proposed completion date: February 2007

What is the problem/opportunity the project will address? The blackbutt leafminer (Acrocercops laciniella) has become established in eucalypt plantations throughout the northern North Island since it was first detected in New Zealand in Auckland early in 1999. Its effect on plantation eucalypts in New Zealand is uncertain as it has not been studied to date. Of particular concern to the Farm Forestry Association is its potential to damage both growth and form of high value timber species, especially Eucalyptus pilularis and the stringybarks (including E.muelleriana, E.globoidea, E.laevopinea, E.agglomerata). These species are considered by the Farm Forestry Association Eucalypt Action Group (EAG) to be the leading hardwood prospects in New Zealand because of their excellent timber qualities, good growth and form, and their relatively pest free status to date. (Note that these are being grown for solid wood end uses and not pulp). Northland's warm climate has proven to be ideal for these species, and large trees are regularly harvested in this region.. While the eucalypt hardwood industry is technically proven in New Zealand, there needs to be confidence in the country's biosecurity systems if investors are going to support this fledgling industry.. The EAG believes this may be the largest constraint to any eucalypt hardwood industry. However, because there is no corporate eucalypt industrial partner in growing eucalypt sawlogs, the base information on health issues is lacking. EAG sees its membership as the "voice", of the increasing number of solid wood eucalypt growers in the farm forestry association. The eucalypts remain our best option for sustainable production of naturally durable timbers. The EAG believes that the Eucalyptus genus is worth preserving and nurturing as a source of high value timbers. Through its network of members, with some who have a particular interest in health issues, EAG is able to make a significant contribution to understanding eucalypt health issues.

What previously completed work is relevant to this proposal?  The EAG has approached landowners who have made available to it their  plantings of  durable and special purpose eucalypt timber eucalypt species on sites in Northland. These stands reflect a long time interest in eucalypts by farm foresters and a good demand for the timbers by end users.   Sites have been selected in Northland that are well suited for comparing and evaluating damage from this insect because of even age classes and proximity of  different species. We have selected a number of species  we wish to monitor for Acrocercops damage. Stringybarks are also being trialled for climatic suitability in other areas of the country under the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF), “Eucalypt timber species evaluation”.  As these plantings grow they could be used to validate the health information collected from this current proposal.  We have made some  observations on the  levels of damage caused by this insect in Northland, noting that it favours new growth on young trees of almost all timber eucalypt species growing in the region. Leaves develop characteristic leaf mines that eventually become a distinctive white blister covering a large portion of the leaf surface. Significant damage results from high populations of the insect, as observed this summer. Damage to shoot tips has also been observed, which could detrimentally affect the form of the trees, and therefore also timber quality. We have been communicating our observations and sending foliage samples to Toni Withers, Forest Research entomologist, who specialises in eucalypt pests.  In this way EAG is able to complement Forest Research activities and provide a strong regional  network to help collect information on the health issues of eucalypt growing, which also gives exposure  for our members to Forest Research activities.

What is the project going to do and how will it help to solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity?  The project would aim to assess damage by the Acrocercops to specific eucalypt timber species in Northland, by collecting and analysing foliage samples to assess levels of damage to different species at 3 monthly intervals over a three year period. The objective would be to collate, compare and assess numbers of leafmines and the percentage of leaves and growth tips affected, from valuable timber speciesResults would be published in the Action Group Newsletter and in the Forest Research Forest Health Newsletter. This information would be valuable in deciding the direction of any response to this pest, and could indicate a need for the introduction of biological control agents.  Determining acceptable levels of pests can be very subjective and the EAG would seek to contribute towards developing protocols with MAF Biosecurity with this in mind. The main  species to be targeted are: E.pilularis, E.muelleriana, E.globoidea, E.agglomerata, E.cameronii, E.laevopinea, E.jacksonii,. E.saligna, E.botryoides, E.microcorys and Corymbia maculata.