NZ eucalypt forestry - markets & tree breeding webinar

NZ eucalypt forestry - markets & tree breeding webinar

Friday 31 Oct 2025

Over the past two years, the end of sustainable harvesting of public native forests in several Australian states has cut hardwood log supply. Australia’s 200,000 ha eucalypt pulp wood plantations are no substitute. NZ durable eucalypt growers have a significant market opportunity to develop a log and/or timber trade with Australia.

Durable eucalypts offer a short rotation option to forest growers and farm foresters in Marlborough and many North Island regions. New Zealand Dryland Forests Innovation (NZDFI) is promoting a vision to plant 60,000 ha of durable hardwood forests by regional planting programmes sustained over 25-30 years.

Successful forestry is underpinned by planting high-quality nursery stock of improved genetics - plants of proven potential. The tree breeding cycle can take up to 20 years from testing a new forestry species through to commercial production of 1st generation improved seed. NZDFI’s testing and breeding started in 2003 with XyloGene branded improved seed now in commercial production and for sale to nurseries and growers.

Learn about the Australian hardwood market opportunity for NZ durable eucalypt growers and get an update on NZDFI’s tree breeding programme at an upcoming webinar, on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, from 3pm to 4pm NZST. The webinar is presented by Paul Millen, NZDFI Manager and Ruth McConnochie, Tree Breeding consultant. Free registration via Marlborough Research Centre: email Susan Foster, susan@mrc.org.nz.

For more information, click here.

Source & image credit: NZDFI

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