Redwood in New Zealand

Authors: Simon Rapley
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2018, Issue N.Z.J.For. 63(1) 2018, pp 29-33, May 2018
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Redwood is probably the third most important solid wood crop in New Zealand behind radiata pine and Douglas-fir. A small, but regular, area of redwood forest has been planted since 2002. Establishment techniques and silviculture regimes have been developed for New Zealand conditions and improved clonal varieties are available to growers. Well-sited redwood is very productive and as a stable, durable and attractive wood is potentially valuable. New Zealand-grown redwood has similar qualities to young-growth Californian redwood and should be in demand in the only significant market for redwood. Redwood also has qualities that make it a candidate crop for erosion-prone and remote sites where slope stabilisation and high water quality are important. Because it is long lived and has a low risk of windthrow and loss through fire, redwood can be a high-yielding and low-risk carbon crop.

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