Current prospects for tawa

Authors: M.C. Smale, J.L. Bathgate, R. Guest
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1986, Issue N.Z.J.For. 31(1) 1986, pp 13-18, May 1986
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa, family Lauraceae) is the most important commercial native hardwood in the North Island of New Zealand. Recent extensive clearance, along with substantial reservation of tawa-dominant forest, has raised concern about future availability of the timber to the furniture and turnery industry. A highly shade-tolerant species with inherently poor form, tawa is adapted to continuous replacement within high forest. Although growth rates of smaller stems are enhanced by increased light, they are everywhere slow, diameter growth rates in trees average 1.5mm/-annum on typical sites in the central North Island and rotations for merchantable trees are estimated to be in the order of 200 years. With gross volume increments averaging 1 m3/ha/annum, productivity is low even in comparison with native tree species currently being managed. While intensive management is unlikely ever to be economically viable, careful application of a selection management system could probably provide a very small sustained yield from remaining forest, sufficient for a cottage insuming c. 1000 m3 annually, provided that the timber was sufficiently highly valued. In the present social climate, however, such a venture appears increasingly unlikely

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