Pruning and fertiliser effects on branch size and decay in two Eucalyptus nitens plantations

The effect of pruning and thinning on above ground aerial biomass of Eucalyptus nitens (Deane & Maiden) Maiden

“…Live branch pruning has been found to decrease stem growth (Shepherd, 1986;Pinkard et al, 2004), and especially in E. nitens, when a large proportion (>50%) of the live crown is removed (Pinkard and Beadle, 1998c;Pinkard and Neilsen, 2003;Pinkard et al, 2004;Wiseman et al, 2006). In our study pruning treatments were very conservative for the age of the stand and equivalent to less than 40% of crown removal.…”

“…In Tasmania optimal conditions for eucalypt sawlog production have been suggested for sites with higher than 1000 mm of rainfall and good fertility (Gerrand et al, 1997). Accordingly, our site is well above in rainfall to present water availability limitations, and soils are considered of high fertility to maintain the observed leaf area levels (Bennett et al, 1997;Smethurst et al, 2003Smethurst et al, , 2004Wiseman et al, 2006).…”

“…In our study pruning treatments were very conservative for the age of the stand and equivalent to less than 40% of crown removal. Several studies with different species have found that pruning effects are related with the opportunity and intensity of its application (Sutton, 1985;Maclaren, 1993;Pinkard et al, 2004;Wiseman et al, 2006). First pruning of E. nitens green branches should be applied around age 3 ($7 m height) on sites of high productivity (before crown closure) to avoid degrading of timber quality (Gerrand et al, 1997;Mohammed et al, 2000;Wiseman et al, 2006).…”

“…Several studies with different species have found that pruning effects are related with the opportunity and intensity of its application (Sutton, 1985;Maclaren, 1993;Pinkard et al, 2004;Wiseman et al, 2006). First pruning of E. nitens green branches should be applied around age 3 ($7 m height) on sites of high productivity (before crown closure) to avoid degrading of timber quality (Gerrand et al, 1997;Mohammed et al, 2000;Wiseman et al, 2006). Considering that pruning in this study was applied when the plantation was 6 years old, removal of branches that have died or were dying had no effects on tree growth (Pinkard et al, 2004).…”

Age trends in genetic parameters for growth and wood density in Eucalyptus globulus

“…There are few reports of age-age genetic correlations for wood properties of E. globulus with which to compare our results (Miranda et al 2001). Such correlations are less readily obtained than those for growth as early age sampling may impact on subsequent measures of the same individual, by for example, coring increasing the susceptibility to decay (Wiseman et al 2006;Hamilton et al 2007). This source of potential bias is avoided by calculating correlations from different, but related trees.…”