Wood quality considerations for radiata pine in international markets

Authors: Karen Bayne
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2014, Issue N.Z.J.For. 59(4) 2015, pp 23-31, Jan 2015
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: New Zealand grown radiata pine competes with other softwood species and supplier nations within the international market across a range of applications. In terms of fitness for end use, wood quality goes beyond basic wood property measures and encompasses aspects of fitness from cradle to grave, from silvicultural and extraction requirements to service in use. Radiata pine holds its own against northern hemisphere species in many applications, and the New Zealand resource is of high quality compared to other radiata pine supplies. To lift the resource out of a commodity mode into niche production of desired rather than just suitable offerings, we must begin to determine what our customers appreciate at all points in the value chain from the timber supplied. Matching of these features to wood properties and the components of the resource containing those properties to appropriate processing pathways is required.

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