Farm Forestry New ZealandEucalypt Action Group
Eucalypts have been a particular focus of farm foresters since the earliest days of our association over 50 years ago. The Eucalypt Action Group has a focus on eucalypts for hardwood solid timber end uses. We promote growing of eucalypts for the timbers natural durability, strength and hardness properties and decorative appearance. Eucalypt timber is suitable for on-farm uses such as posts and rails, along with structural applications such as exposed beams and decorative applications such as flooring and furniture.
Eucalyptus Action Group membership page »
Participate in our durable eucalypt trials!
During 2020 the Eucalyptus Action Group will be continuing with our stringybark eucalypt trials throughout New Zealand.
If you would like to participate please contact Angus Gordon (06 3881571) or Dean Satchell (09 4075525)
The EAG carries out its own research projects and is focussing on the stringybark group of species as being the most suitable for hardwood timber production in New Zealand. Breeding of durable species suitable for dryland areas of New Zealand is also an important area of research benefitting farm foresters. The Eucalypt Action Group has provided financial support for the Drylands Forestry Initiative (DFI) since its inception.
Practical Information for Growers
- Growing Eucalypts for Timber - Videos and Information
Here you will find a series of short videos and information notes providing ‘back to basics’ information on growing eucalypts for timber. We hope these resources will encourage you to… - NZFFA Guide Sheet No. 3: Eucalypts for Timber
Eucalypt species, establishment and silviculture - Growing cold-climate eucalypts for high quality timber
NZFFA Information leaflet No. 17 - High quality timber eucalypts for warmer sites
The stringybark eucalypts, the eastern blue gums and other species
Reports
- New eucalypt pests and diseases: what is the risk and how should we respond?
Ian Hood & Lindsay Bulman, Scion, December 2018
Download pdf here.
- Report: Trees for steep slopes - Eucalyptus
Dean Satchell, July 2018
Eucalyptus are hardwood species but with very variable properties between species. Some species have soft, non-durable timber while others yield very hard, very durable timber. Selecting eucalypt species that grow fast,…
- Report: Eucalyptus nitens for solid timber
Dean Satchell, May 2015
Eucalyptus nitens is a cold hardy and fast growing hardwood timber species with excellent form. In Canterbury, along with other cooler regions in New Zealand, E. nitens produces high volumes…
- Improving siting recommendations for farm forestry eucalypts using GIS maps
Angus Gordon, October 2013
This project set out to collect growth and performance data on 16 Eucalyptus species that had been planted in trial sites across New Zealand under a previous SFF funded project…
- Report: Solid timber recovery and economics of short-rotation small-diameter eucalypt
Dean Satchell and James Turner, June 2010
Eucalypt plantation forestry has not reached the production volume threshold necessary to establish specialised processing facilities and firm markets in New Zealand, despite strong consumer demand for imported hardwood timber.…
- Report: Eucalypt timber species evaluation
Angus Gordon, July 2007
This project set out to test the survival and subsequent growth of a group of eucalypt species that have the potential for the production of naturally durable solid timber. The…
E. fastigata calculator
Blogs
- Stringing Up the Stringybarks: Denis Hocking's blog, July 08, 2017
The stringybark eucalypts were identified some years ago as a promising group for solid wood production in New Zealand with a combination of good growth rates, early heartwood formation, relatively… - Eucalyptus selection for New Zealand - what is the elephant in the room?: Dean Satchell's blog, November 10, 2016
We each grow forest plantations for a reason. Those reasons may vary, but my primary reason is for a return on my investment. This means producing wood or fibre as fast as… - Modern eucalyptus sawmilling technology in Tasmania: Dean Satchell's blog, December 31, 2015
Whilst in Tasmania during December 2015 I had the fortuitous opportunity to visit Newood sawmill near Huonville at the invitation of mill manager Josh Turnbill. This mill was set up… - Sawing fence posts from Eucalyptus maculata: Dean Satchell's blog, September 19, 2015
I planted a small stand of E. maculata (Spotted gum) 21 years ago in Northland, after being really impressed with an old stand of trees that were milled by David… - Product research priorities for eucalyptus: Dean Satchell's blog, November 12, 2014
Scion are currently preparing an Diverse Species bid to MB on behalf of the forest industry. This is a partnership between Future Forests Research, University of Canterbury and Scion, and… - Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa, my favourite durable timber species: Dean Satchell's blog, December 20, 2014
Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa is a class 1 durable eucalypt species that I introduced into New Zealand in the mid-1990's. I was looking for a highly durable species from the monocalyptus group… - Eucalyptus laevopinea for high value hardwood: Dean Satchell's blog, May 25, 2014
Eucalyptus laevopinea (silvertop stringybark) is a eucalyptus species that grows really fast and produces a high quality hardwood timber. It comes from the tablelands of New South Wales and is both… - Lost durable eucalypt trials, Northland: Dean Satchell's blog, May 24, 2014
Tucked away in the back-blocks of Northland are two important research trials of durable eucalypts. These trials have been abandoned by the researchers for some time, as happens repeatedly in…
Research Archives
The Eucalyptus Action Group are archiving research trials, to gain access you need to be an EAG member:
Eucalypt Handbook
Eucalypt Posters
Tree Grower articles
- Towards solid timber production from Eucalyptus nitens
Dean Satchell, August 2015
Eucalyptus nitens is a cold hardy hardwood timber species with very fast growth and excellent form. In Canterbury, along with other cooler regions in New Zealand, E. nitens produces high… - NZDFI and ground durable eucalypts
Julian Bateson, August 2015
On the following pages is a report of the ground durable eucalypt field day in June held in the Wairarapa. It also seemed to be a good idea to remind… - Australian forest growers biennial national conference
John Millet, May 2014
This conference was held at Gympie in south-east Queensland in October 2013 along with a pre-conference bus tour from Brisbane north to Gympie. Travelling to sub-tropical northern New South Wales… - Improving siting recommendations for farm forestry eucalypts using GIS maps
Angus Gordon, February 2014
This mapping project set out to collect growth performance data on a range of eucalypt species which were planted in the 2004 species survival trial, project SFF L03-007. All the… - Onwards and upwards for the NZ Dryland Forests Initiative
Harriet Palmer, August 2013
Around 10 years ago Paul Millen saw the opportunity for locally grown ground durable eucalypts to replace treated pine posts in Marlborough’s vineyards. The market for vineyard posts alone is… - Progress with hardwood forestry
Dean Satchell, May 2013
The Sustainable Farming Fund-backed work of the Eucalyptus Action Group and farm foresters are producing promising results. Trees from research packs planted 10 years ago around New Zealand are providing… - Propagating ground-durable eucalypts using cuttings from coppice
Mike Menzies, Mike Dibley, Charlie Low and Ruth McConnochie, November 2012
The Future Forests Research Diversified Species Programme has a number of projects aimed at improving the supply of quality planting stock for growers. Species involved include redwoods, cypress, indigenous species… - Dryland Forest Initiative Field day in Marlborough
Paul Millen, February 2011
In September last year a group of about 40 gathered at Andrew and Ngaire Lawson’s property. They were all keen to look around the Dryland Forests Initiative’s trials planted a… - Timber recovery and economics of short-rotation small-diameter eucalypt forestry
Dean Satchell & James Turner, February 2011
The high value and the diversity of end uses for eucalypt hardwood timber are increasingly being recognised. However, the downside is that eucalypts are considered problematic to mill. A new… - Eucalyptus cladocalyx ? Adolescent with an attitude problem?
Denis Hocking, August 2010
Eucalyptus cladocalyx is not one of the common farm forestry species in New Zealand and has been planted in only limited numbers round the country. There are specimens around but I… - Growth and wood from eucalypts in Rotehu forest
Trevor Jones, August 2010
The adaptation of different eucalypt species to climatic conditions and the type of wood produced varies widely. The 1980 species demonstration planting at Rotoehu forest, in the Bay of Plenty, provided… - A love affair with eucalypts
Graham Milligan, August 2010
One of the characteristics of the dedicated farm forester is enthusiasm in attempting to grow a wide range of species outside the ubiquitous radiata pine. This has manifested itself in… - Dryland Forests Initiative has funding support for the next few years
Paul Millen, August 2010
If we can ensure a future supply of home grown naturally durable eucalypt hardwood it will also help diversify land use, mitigate climate change and reduce soil erosion. Establishing durable… - Eucalypts in the sand country
Denis Hocking, August 2010
I would not quite say that eucalypts have wound up as my alternative species of choice as a default, but it has been an interesting trip sorting out what good… - Eucalypts grown for seed
Lesley Christian, August 2010
There is probably no other member of the NZFFA as well known to our membership as Graham Milligan – his booming voice, bushy beard and bare knees make him instantly… - A significant step for improved hardwood
Paul Millen, November 2009
The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative has planted its first eucalypt breeding population. This is a significant step towards producing genetically improved, New Zealand grown hardwood. Representatives from the project… - The multi-purpose eucalypt trial at Makoura
Don Bell, May 2009
The Makoura Stream currently receives all the treated effluent water from the Masterton Sewage Plant. Masterton District Council has lodged a resource consent application to discharge treated effluent water to… - More about durable eucalypts for vineyard timber
Paul Millen, February 2009
In recent years the Tree Grower has followed the fortunes of a durable eucalypt project I have been working on. The aim is to have treated pine vineyard posts replaced… - Alleviating the boredom with eucalypts
Denis Hocking, November 2008
The coastal sand country of the south-western North Island is probably one of the easiest places in New Zealand to grow radiata pine. There are few disease or physiological problems,… - Eucalypts for vineyards
Allan Levett, February 2008
An important workshop for eucalyptus growers in vineyard regions was held on in July last year, significantly in Blenheim, New Zealand’s largest wine-producing centre. Growing ground durable hardwood for vineyard… - Ground durable eucalypts for vineyard posts
Paul Millen, November 2006
This article provides an update on research being undertaken in Marlborough to identify eucalypt species suitable for short rotation production of ground durable roundwood – timber which would be suitable… - Eucalypts for timber: My experience and my floor
Don Tantrum, November 2006
I began planting eucalypts about 30 years ago. I soon discovered that not all I wished to grow did grow. The Taihape climate soon curbed my enthusiasm. I will not… - Use of New Zealand grown eucalypts
Richard Davies-Colley, November 2006
The development of industries using eucalypt timber is still in its infancy in New Zealand. We have only small areas of mixed species, limited knowledge of the product and therefore… - Health issues with eucalypts
Denis Hocking, November 2006
Health issues with eucalypts fall into three main categories – insect pests, foliar disease and root diseases caused by fungi and Phytophthora species. While insect pests tend to get the… - Pests and eastern blue gums in the Manawatu
James Milner, November 2006
The arrival of new eucalypt pests in New Zealand has caused many farm foresters to abandon species which have proved to be particularly vulnerable, including eastern blue gums such as… - Eucalypt species trials in the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay
Luigi Gea and Tony Shelbourne, November 2006
There is interest among New Zealands small growers in growing eucalypts for sawn timber. Recent research funded by FRST has concentrated on species introduction and testing of a group of… - Pruning and thinning eucalyptus - Stringybark eucalypt silviculture
Dean Satchell, November 2006
Equipped with a harness, pole-pruner and ladder Silviculture of eucalypts for solid-timber requires some understanding of the tree and the timber. That is, a level of skill and knowledge guiding…
Headlines
- Eucalyptus Beetle Investigation Underway August 2016
Eucalyptus Beetle (paropsisterna beata) Investigation Underway MPI has been conducting an investigation on a suspect eucalyptus beetle found on firewood as a result of a posting on NatureWatch. The notifier… - Update on SFF Paropsis biocontrol project May 2016 May 2016
The Tasmanian parasitoid wasp, Eadya paropsidis, is being investigated as a potential biological control agent for Paropsis charybdis, the Eucalyptus tortoise beetle. The first year of the three year Sustainable… - New resources available - practical information on growing cypresses and eucalypts for timber October 2015
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… - Report: Eucalyptus nitens, recovery and economics of processing 15 year old trees for solid timber September 2015
- New Work on Biological Control for Eucalyptus Tortoise Beetle January 2015
LATEST NEWS: Promising Biological Control agent imported into Containment On December 12th 2014, NZFFA representative on the SFF project team Dean Satchell brought back from Tasmania an exciting present: a… - Exciting new possibilities for eucalypts October 2014
Scion is undertaking a new programme to continue improving the performance of this commercial hardwood species. June 2014 Eucalypts are a promising commercial hardwood plantation species, possessing an array of… - NZFFA eucalypt tortoise beetle biocontrol progress July 2014
A parasitoid wasp of the spring-time larval stage of the eucalyptus leaf beetle Paropsisterna agricola in Tasmania has had its identity confirmed and is the most exciting potential biological control… - Dean Satchell heads to Tasmania to assist with mass-rearing Eadya paropsidis, the potential biological control agent of Paropsis charybdis December 2013
Despite considerable efforts, the eucalyptus tortoise beetle Paropsis charybdis (paropsis) continues to defoliate Eucalyptus nitens plantations throughout New Zealand. The pest both prevents expansion of this forest resource and requires… - Results of the first year of a Sustainable Farming Fund study to locate a spring-active parasitoid in Tasmania for potential biological control of Paropsis charybdis August 2013
Despite considerable efforts, the eucalyptus tortoise beetle Paropsis charybdis continues to defoliate Eucalyptus nitens plantations throughout New Zealand. This pest both prevents expansion of this forest resource and requires constant…
Other sources of information
- Introduced forest trees in New Zealand: Recognition, role, and seed source, part 18. Ash eucalypts, Eucalyptus fastigata, E. regnans, E. obliqua, E. delegatensis, E. fraxinoides, E. sieberi, E. oreades, E. pauciflora, E. dendromorpha and E. paliformis
FRI Bulletin No. 124, part 18. Miller, J. T., A. E. Hay and C. E. Ecroyd, 2000 - Introduced forest trees in New Zealand: Recognition, role, and seed source, part 11. Eucalyptus nitens (Deane et Maiden) Maiden
FRI Bulletin No. 124, part 11. Miller, J. T., P. G. Cannon and C. E. Ecroyd, 1992 - Performance of Eucalyptus saligna in New Zealand
FRI Bulletin No. 195, McKenzie, H. and E. Hay, 1996 - Properties and utilisation of exotic speciality timbers grown in New Zealand, part VI: Eastern blue gums and stringy barks, Eucalyptus botryoides Sm., Eucalyptus saligna Sm., Eucalyptus globoidea Blakey, Eucalyptus muellerana Howitt, Eucalyptus pilularis Sm
FRI Bulletin No. 119, part VI, Haslett, A. N., 1986. - Properties and utilisation of exotic speciality timbers grown in New Zealand, part V: Ash eucalypts and Eucalyptus nitens, Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell., Eucalpytus delegatensis R. Baker, Eucalyptus fastigata Deane et Maiden, Eucalyptus obliqua L'Her., Eucalyptus sieberi L. Johnson, Eucalyptus fraxinoides Deane et Maiden, Eucalyptus nitens (Deane et Maiden) Maiden
FRI Bulletin No. 119, part V, Haslett, A. N.,1986. - A guide to handling and grade-sawing plantation-grown eucalypts
FRI Bulletin No. 142, Haslett, A. N. (1988) - A key to the identification of 92 species of Eucalyptus found in New Zealand
FRI Bulletin No. 125, Ecroyd, C. E. (1986) - Eucalyptus species trials in Longwood Forest, Southland
FRI Bulletin No. 95, Wilcox, M. D., J. T. Miller, I. M. Williams and D. W. Guild (1985). - Roundwood yield from Eucalyptus regnans stands
FRI Bulletin No. 82, Glass, B. P. (1985) - Some factors affecting branch control and defect core in Eucalyptus saligna
FRI Bulletin No. 87, Glass, B. P. (1983) - Eucalypts for Planting
Jacobs, M. R. (1979). Eucalypts for Planting: Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Still relevant, nice summaries of international experience. - Field Guide to Eucalypts: Vol. 1 South-eastern Australia
Brooker, M. I. H., & Kleinig, D. A. (1999). Victoria, Australia: Bloomings Books.
Full botanical guide to several hundred eucalypt species. Includes colour photos. - Growing eucalypt trees for milling
Neill Barr (1996)
A comprehensive guide to growing eucalypts for timber in New Zealand, with useful identification data for the common – and many not so common – species. Available from NZFFA - Extensive eucalyptus photo gallery and species information available at Milligan Seeds
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