Silvicultural management of blackwood. Growth, form and quality

Abstract

This report is a summary of three years of research that has examined the silviculture of blackwood in plantations. It is the first time a physiological approach has been taken to examine how blackwood grows and responds to silvicultural treatment. An important advance is a proper definition of how to manipulate pruning and thinning commercial blackwood plantations grown with commercial nurse-crops so that adequate growth rates are maintained without prejudicing form. In addition the foundation has been laid for determining the efficacy of alternative nurse-crops to those used at present that are more suited to the development of good form in blackwood during the crucial early years following planting. This has included a better definition of the requirements for sidelight suppression.