Paper focus for Chinese plantations
From the Spring 2008 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
The Chinese scale of production from high labour inputs in seedling production nurseries like this one impressed the Australian delegation. Photo by Helen Smith
A team from Forests NSW tree improvement group and industry representatives has just completed a tour of eucalyptus plantations in China which has shown up the marked differences between Australia and China.
Forests NSW delegates were Dr Dane Thomas and Helen Smith.
“In Australia we grow eucalyptus plantations primarily for high quality sawlog production, and these typically have a long rotation,” Dane said.
“But the Chinese focus is on short rotation eucalyptus for pulp production, which mainly goes into paper making.
“Intensive breeding, selection and silvicultural management means Chinese plantations are grown intensively on a short rotation, typically less than eight years.
“The trees are highly uniform, have great ability to shed branches leading to rapid crown rise and production of knot-free clear wood, which is of higher quality both because of its higher structural strength and visual quality.
“These aspects of the tree form allow for the production of veneer from the smaller diameter logs using spindle-less lathes.”
Dane said the delegation visited several tissue culture facilities.
“The scale of production was impressive with most facilities producing in excess of five million plantlets a year,” he said.
“This scale was achieved through high labour inputs, not through automation.
“Increased automation, a typical ‘Western’ approach, is unlikely to be beneficial in several stages of tissue culture.”
Howard Spencer, Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
