Nine year results from a Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. provenance trial in the Wellington catchment of Western Australia

Abstract

Summary Data for 20 provenances of Eucalyptus camaldulensis from the southern half of Australia including 14 provenances of variety camaldulensis and 6 provenances of variety obtusa were assessed for growth and form in the south west of Western Australia. Mean annual volume increment at age nine years was greater in variety camaldulensis (3.3 m3 ha−1 yr−1) than for variety obtusa (1.9 m3 ha−1 yr−1). No significant differences in forking or branching were found between the two varieties. Lake Albacutya (variety camaldulensis) was the most productive provenance yielding 5.3 m3 ha−1 yr−1 but was only average for form. Laura (variety camaldulensis) was the best all round performer yielding the third highest volume production (4.2 m3 ha−1 yr−1) and ranking in the top quartile for forking, branching and straightness. Within variety camaldulensis a weak correlation was found between height and mean annual rainfall, provenances from lower rainfall areas being more likely to produce taller trees. A trend for smaller numbers of persistent branches with decreasing rainfall was observed for the species as a whole.