Status update on development of a eucalyptus plantation program in the southeastern United States and higher elevations of southern Brazil

Abstract

MWV Forestry has been actively pursuing the establishment of cold- and frost-tolerant eucalyptus plantations in southeast Texas and in the higher, frost-prone regions of southern Brazil for several years. Currently, the major species being examined is Eucalyptus benthamii. Interspecific crossing efforts, cold tolerance established from field trials, and intercountry cooperation in this program are discussed. The ability of the southeastern Texas program to return value to our collaborators in southern Brazil and other locations is reviewed. Pulp and papermaking properties of the cold-tolerant species are also reviewed. Currently, E. benthamii plantations in southeast Texas are producing trees with a density range of about 460–523 kg/m3, suggesting some degree of genetic variability within the bulk seeds currently being employed. Good pulping yields of around 48% on o.d. wood have been obtained in laboratory studies. For comparison, this yield is about 3 percentage points higher than for traditional mixed southern hardwoods. In general, the physical properties of pure E. benthamii are inferior to those of mixed southern hardwoods. When used in a blend, the differences in physical properties are substantially mitigated.