Shining gum
A very-fast growing Eucalyptus preferring 1200 mm+ of rainfall annually and deep (>2 m) gradational clay loam soils. Intolerant of prolonged drought, but is regarded as a mainstream plantation species for sites >300 m asl.
Shining gum |
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Botanical name |
Eucalyptus nitens |
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Growth rate in preferred conditions |
Fast |
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Estimated rotation length (yr) in preferred conditions to produce 60 cm diameter at breast height |
15-25 |
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Preferred annual rainfall (mm/yr) |
1200+ |
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Minimum rainfall (mm/yr) |
850 |
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Preferred elevation (m) asl |
300-900 |
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Preferred landscape position |
Cool, wet slope |
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Preferred Soil |
Deep >2 m gradational clay |
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Prohibitive soil |
Shallow, waterlogged, duplex or uniform sands |
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Poor drainage tolerance |
Low |
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Dry site tolerance |
Very low |
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Frost tolerance |
Very high |
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Pest and disease problems: |
Autumn Gum Moth, Cerambycid/longicorn beetles. Target, Halo and Mycosphaerella leaf spot. |
Timber Characteristics1 |
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Strength: seasoned timber only |
SD4-moderate |
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Durability1: in ground | above ground |
4 | 3 |
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Drying: green to 12% moisture content |
Drying needs much care because of collapse and surface checking. Shrinkage about 5% radial and 9% tangential. |
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Main commercial products |
Pulpwood, joinery, veneer, general construction, flooring, furniture. |
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Bushfire resistance2: measured by Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) |
BAL 12.5 and 19 – Door and window joinery only |
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Least attractive features |
Drying difficulties. Intolerant of prolonged drought. Non-durable timber. Sapwood susceptible to Lyctid borer. |
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Most attractive features |
Fast growth, great form, tolerates exposure, good pulp species, and sawlog/veneer potential. Light timber colour. Improved seed is available. |
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Status as a plantation species in Gippsland |
Mainstream for sites at >300 m asl |
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1 Based on Australian Standard: Timber Natural durability ratings. AS 5604-2005. Refer to Appendix for explanatory table. Where (?) applied, rating is based on field experience. 2 Naturally bushfire resisting timbers are those with inherent bushfire resisting properties. For more information refer to Australian Standard 3959:2018. |
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Assumptions and notes:
- Sites considered for planting contain at least 1 metre of soil above an impeding layer (e.g. bedrock or layer impenetrable to roots.)
- Please note that most (if not all) eucalypts in Gippsland grow best on sheltered sites.
- Overall slow drying time across air and kiln dried schedules is recommended to minimise drying degrade. This is the best starting point for inexperienced operators.
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Boland, D.J. et. al (1992). Forest Trees of Australia. CSIRO Australia.
Bootle, K.R. (1983). Wood in Australia – Types, properties and uses. McGraw Hill, Australia
Carnegie, A.J. (2002). Field Guide to Common Pests and Diseases in Eucalypt Plantations in NSW. Research and Development Division of State Forests, NSW.
Clarke, B., McLeod, I. and Vercoe, T (eds) 2009. Trees for farm forestry: 22 Promising Species. RIRDC Publication No. 09/015. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
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https://www.nzffa.org.nz/system/assets/2056/Eucalypt_Information_Note_1_-_Choosing_eucalypts.pdf
https://www.nzffa.org.nz/farm-forestry-model/species-selection-tool/species/redwood/coast-redwood/
https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/511553/Silverwattle.pdf
Mortimer, J. (2003). A selection of alternative timbers. Taitua Books, NZ.
National Association of Forest Industries (2004). Timber Species and Properties (Revised edition). Timber Manual Datafile P1
Nicholas, I.D., Gifford, H.H., and Kimberely, M.O. (1997). Siting Black Walnut. FRI Bulletin no. 188
Phillips, C. (1996). Insects, Diseases and Deficiencies associated with Eucalypts in South Australia. Primary Industries SA Forests.
Poole, B., Waugh, G. and Yang, J.L. (2017). Potential for growing and processing durable eucalypts in New Zealand. Publication No. SWP-T036. Solid Wood Innovation. Specialty Wood Products Research Partnership.
Reid, R. (2017). Heartwood. The art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit. Melbourne Books.
Tepper, C. J. (2002). Plantation Eucalypt species for solid wood products – a profile of Eucalyptus muelleriana. Gottstein Fellowship Report for the Gottstein Memorial Trust
Tepper, C.J. (2008). Site Matching and Establishing Eucalypt Sawlog Species in Southern Australia In. Beadle, C.L. and Brown, A.G. (eds) 2008. Plantation Eucalypts for High Value Timber. RIRDC Publication No. 08/113, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.