Commercial irrigated E. camaldulensis plantations—a Californian experience and its applicability in Australia

Abstract

Summary A 4250 hectare irrigated Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantation established in California's northern Sacramento Valley by Simpson Fiber Farms, Inc. for pulpwood is described. Intensive site preparation, fertilisation and irrigation in combination with tree improvement have enabled high yields to be obtained on 8-year rotations in an area of low natural productivity. Trees receive frequent irrigation through a massive drip irrigation system with water application scheduled on the basis of a combination of evapotranspiration estimates and plantation age. All planting stock now consists of tissue cultured clones intensively selected and tested for vigour, straightness, cold tolerance and more recently wood quality. Productivity of newer clonal stands is up to 100% more than those of the earlier seedling plantations and ranges up to 45 m3 per hectare per year. Wood samples from Simpson's plantation were analysed recently in Australia. The basic density of the Californian E. camaldulensis proved comparable to 10 year old E. globulus from Tasmanian plantations and some clones also had comparable yields of kraft pulp per tree despite slightly lower percentage pulp yields. The applicability of Simpson's operation to current interest in irrigated eucalypt plantations in inland south eastern Australia is discussed.