Native provenances of Pinus radiata in New Zealand: performance and potential

Authors: R.D. Burdon, A. Firth, C.B. Low, M.A. Miller
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1996, Issue N.Z.J.For. 41(4) 1997, pp 32-36, Jan 1997
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Provenance testing of Pinus radiata in New Zealand has run in parallel with an intensive breeding programme that exploited local 'land-race' stocks. The species was long known to occur at three places on the Californian mainland coast, Aho Nuevo (Lat. 37°N), Monterey (36.5°) and Cambria (35.5°), but has since proved to include the pines of Guadalupe Island (29°) and Cedros Island (28°) off the Baja California Peninsula. Very limited provenance testing began in the 1950s, with comprehensive testing on a few sites in the mid-1960s, followed in 1980 by a countrywide series on 23 sites involving just the Californian mainland provenances. Different profiles of site adaptation among provenances have emerged. Ano Nuevo and Monterey are the best adapted overall to New Zealand conditions, but Ano Nuevo is much less adapted to P-deficient clays, yet better adapted to cold, snow-hazard sites. Cambria is susceptible to needle-casts, shoot dieback, and frost and snow damage, but has tolerated poor soils. Guadalupe, while showing some adaptational problems and slower growth as a pure strain, has very straight stems and 10% higher corewood density, and has given very promising hybrids with local stock. Cedros, as a pure strain, is much slower growing with severe adaptational problems, although hybrids have grown well. Local stocks are evidently 'mixtures' that have originated mainly from Aho Nuevo (50-75%), the balance from Monterey.

To start the breeding with local stocks proved right, but native-provenance material still promises to make valuable contributions. In particular, Monterey material may boost edaphic tolerances, and Guadalupe hybrids may have a significant place.

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