Early results of provenance studies on Pinus muricata in New Zealand.

Authors: C. J. A. Shelbourne, M. H. Bannister, M. D. Wilcox
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1982, Issue N.Z.J.For. 27(1) 1982, pp 50-66, May 1982
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Provenance trials of bishop pine (Pinus muricata) were planted in 1972 and 1973. The 1972 trial, which compared seedlots of all ten native Californian populations and from four New Zealand stands, was planted at a single low altitude site, Rotoehu. The 1973 trials tested only the two northernmost native "green", two native "blue" provenances, and three New Zealand seedlots, and included P. radiata and a coastal Washington provenance of P. contorta as controls. These trials were planted on ten sites in both islands, mostly at altitudes over 500 m. Assessments were made when the trials were aged six and five years, respectively, from planting.
At Rotoehu the Sonoma "green" provenance grew best, followed by San Luis Obispo (green), Monterey (green), Mendocino (blue) and Marin (green). The good early growth of some southern green provenances was largely offset by inferior straightness and needle retention, and signs of reduced current growth rate. Consideration of all traits as well as unpublished pollen phenology data indicated that in New Zealand the notorious green stands came from Marin County and the much superior blue stands from Mendocino County.
Growth in the 1973 trials was clearly slower at higher altitudes. At five of the ten sites a P. muricata seedlot outgrew P. radiata; growth at these South Island sites was usually slower though at Golden Downs growth was relatively good. In the North Island only at Makahu (altitude 1030 m) did the growth of P. muricata exceed that of P. radiata. The Sonoma green provenance was the fastest growing P. muricata provenance at almost all sites.
It was concluded that P. muricata has promise on upland South Island sites and that Sonoma green and Mendocino blue are the best two provenances, though more reliance would be placed on Mendocino blue at this stage following 75 years' experience with this provenance. Future seed supplies of the Sonoma green provenance in New Zealand are being ensuredby planting seed stands and the continued availability of seed of the New Zealand blue provenance (originally Mendocino) will be maintained from existing and additional seed stands.

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