Research and Development in Plantation Hardwoods
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Overview
The South-east Queensland Forest Agreement (SEQ FA) initiative, approved by State Cabinet in September 1999, included a major hardwood plantation R, D & E program to support and develop a plantation hardwood industry in Queensland. The vision is for a viable hardwood plantation industry, based on 20-25 year rotations and supplying a range of products, including those with a high potential for value adding. DPI&F's hardwoods research program has the technical capability to establish sound practices in the production of high value hardwoods as well as a world leadership position for Queensland's forest industries. The objective is to develop the resources, technologies and strategies to a stage at which the hardwood plantation industry is recognised as being economically sound, leading to major private investment in the industry.
The R&D approach
The research program builds on the progress made from DPI&F's involvement with the Private Plantation Initiative (1997 - 1999) which developed an initial R&D program for hardwood plantations in Queensland. In addition, DPI&F has developed a considerable hardwoods research base with the Shell Forestry Ltd. Hardwood Development Project (1987-1991), the Tree Care Project (1981 - 2000) and native hardwood research for over 40 years. The technologies and strategies developed so successfully by the Department for Queensland's pine plantation industry also contribute substantially to the program.
The R&D directions are focussed on high quality, hardwood products grown in short rotation plantations. The strategy is to maintain close integration between four research disciplines and a technology transfer section. These are grouped into Five Challenges, each with a defined objective.
The Genetic Challenge is identifying and mass producing genotypes which are of highly desirable species, adapted to appropriate sites, capable of growing to merchantable size in a 20-25 year rotation, and displaying excellent form, wood properties and utilisation value. The staff of the tree improvement team are meeting the challenge by breeding better hardwoods, establishing seed orchards for plantation hardwood species, developing hybrids suited to Queensland, testing hardwoods in different environments and developing appropriate propagation technologies for hardwoods.
Genetic Challenge leader - Dr. David Lee.
The Silviculture Challenge is identifying sites and defining silvicultural prescriptions, which minimise costs of plantation establishment and maintenance while maximising discounted returns and while operating within an environmentally sustainable framework. The silviculture team is meeting the challenge by developing appropriate nursery practices for producing robust stock, optimal plantation establishment practices; optimal stand management for a range of timber products and integrating site, taxa and management to predict hardwood productivity.
Silviculture Challenge leader - Mr. Geoff Dickinson.
The Pest and Disease Challenge is ensuring that the plantations established have a low risk of serious damage from pests and diseases. The forest protection team is meeting the challenge by identifying the pests and diseases of priority plantation species; improving resistance of plantations to insect and fungal attack; identifying management options, evaluating and registering a range of pesticides and enhancing natural control mechanisms in plantations.
Pest and Disease Challenge leader - Dr. Simon Lawson.
The Wood Quality Challenge is ensuring that utilisation value is optimised, that users are confident in the quality of plantation wood, and that satisfactory processing technologies are available. The forest products team is meeting the challenge by developing a sound knowledge of wood properties; finding solutions for processing technologies such as sawing and drying; optimising hardwood utilisation potential in relation to durability, preservative treatment and adhesives, and developing the utilisation potential for small diameter round timber.
Wood Quality Challenge leader - Dr. Michael Kennedy.
The Communication and Extension Challenge is ensuring that investors, growers and processors are well informed and confident about the economic outlook for high value hardwood plantations. The Department's Forestry Research extension team is meeting this challenge by promoting hardwoods as a viable investment and value-added industry and by informing stakeholders about the results of the R&D program. This is achieved through field extension, workshops, tours and forums, conferences and seminars and the maintenance of web site, linking information, advice, events and news about the Hardwoods Queensland project.
Communication Challenge leader - Dr. Susan House.
Alliances and partnerships
One objective of the program is to develop alliances with key industry groups, including growers, prospectus companies, end-processors, state government (DPI Forestry) and private industry as well as national and international companies such as Shell Forestry Ltd. By liasing with these groups, the R&D is aligned closely with the needs of the developing industry, ensuring the support of industry and adding value to the overall objectives of the Hardwoods Queensland project. By working closely with industry, the project will be able to define the full range of product options that may be available from plantations over the length of the rotation. With private industries as partners, Hardwoods Queensland is able to leverage funds through funding bodies such as RIRDC, FWPRDC, ACIAR and NHT, to expand the scope of the project to include, for example, research on more marginal plantation sites.
Future plantation hardwoods
The overall research objectives of the Hardwoods Queensland project are the rapid establishment of appropriate genetic material, the prescription of optimum plantation management practice and definitions of quality assurance for hardwood products. However, the project must also harbour the flexibility to incorporate future markets by providing tools to allow managers to make informed decisions about the direction of hardwoods production. To this end, the project is developing packages to determine land suitability and species-site matching; management options related to environment; management options related to end product; information for assessing and managing impacts of pests and diseases; processing options for sawing and drying hardwoods and increased options for hardwood product use.
There is considerable potential for an extended RD&E program to further strengthen the development of the hardwoods industry in Queensland. The existing knowledge base suggests a tremendous potential for hardwood product options produced from well-planned plantations, managed to suit Queensland's unique series of environments. With continued alliances that secure industry support for the future, the Hardwoods Queensland project is well on the way to securing the potential for a profitable hardwoods industry in Queensland.
Last updated 21 March 2005
