Comparative early growth ofEucalyptusspecies of the subgeneraMonocalyptusandSymphyomyrtusin intensively-managed plantations in southern Tasmania

Abstract

Summary Four eucalypt species. Eucalyptus delegatensis, E. globulus, E. nitens and E. regnons were established at each of four plantations situated between 60 m and 650 m asl in SE Tasmania. E. grandis and E. pauciflora were also established at the lower and upper two plantations respectively. Each plantation was managed intensively through the application of fertiliser and pest control. There were large differences in height and diameter growth between ages I and 5 years between subgenera, species and provenances. In general, E. globulus and E. nitens of subgenus Symphyomyrtus grew faster than E. delegatensis and E. regnans of subgenus Monocalyptus. Survival was also greater in Symphyomyrtus than Monocalyptus species except at the uppermost (650 m) site where snow and frost killed E. globulus. The faster diameter growth across all sites at age 5 years was from the Upper Toorongo provenance of E. nitens with mean diameters at breast height between 9.6 and 10.5 cm; the tallest species. 11.1 m was the Otways provenance of E. globulus at 240 m. Annual increments of both Symphyomyrtus species compared favourably with those obtained under management for high yield elsewhere in Australia.