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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.