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5.15 Silviculture of Radiata Pine
Authors: J P Maclaren, R L KnowlesPublication: , Volume Section 5 – Plantation silviculture, pp 15, Dec 2023
Abstract: There are many reasons for growing trees. They can be used as a way of enhancing wildlife habitat and landscape aesthetics; for erosion control, weed control, shelter, and shade; as a medium for effluent disposal; for firewood or posts; to produce timber for one’s use; and for the production of wood as a cash crop. If profit from the sale of wood is the principal goal of growing trees, then the best regime will be attained by a combination of: -Maximising net harvest revenue. This is a product of both quantity and quality, i.e. both merchantable volume per hectare and mean stumpage per cubic metre. Quality includes externally visible features such as branch size, and internal features such as wood density or resin pockets. -Minimising costs, including the costs of land preparation, planting, tending, harvesting and supervision. -Optimising the timing of cost and revenue streams, so as to minimise the opportunity cost of investment expenditure. Wherever possible, costs should be delayed and revenue brought forward. -Minimising risks, including lower than expected revenues for certain log assortments, failure to undertake timely and effective silviculture, and physical risks partly under the influence of management, such as disease, windthrow, fire or livestock damage. UPDATE WARNING: Significant parts of the Forestry Handbook were produced in 2005. The NZ Institute of Forestry is currently reviewing the future strategy and role for the handbook. In the meantime, some subject areas have been removed as they no longer provide accurate information. Remaining subject areas provide some relevance and/or guidance but users must take cognisance of the fact that information is now dated and in many places does not now reflect the entirety of modern knowledge and technology being applied to the management of New Zealand’s forests.