Modelling To Maximise Hoop Pine Values

14 December 2007
Growers and processors of one of Australia’s premium decorative timbers – hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) – can now better assess the resource’s value before harvest with the development of a new modelling program.
The model was funded as part of the Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) resource characterisation and improvement program, with contributions from Ensis who developed the model to help more accurately predict the quality of hoop pine stands. This will allow growers to maximise returns by testing different log grading, processing and timber pricing scenarios before harvesting.
Hoop Pine is a native softwood species widely used in the building industry as a structural and decorative timber. It has a uniform medium density, light colour, and excellent working properties and stability.
Queensland has established 45,000 ha of hoop pine plantations on former rainforest sites.
Principal investigator Dr Dave Cown of Ensis said sawing studies of more than 400 logs from Queensland plantations produced a database that detailed log and lumber measurements so the main drivers of value could be identified.
“Hoop pine is a naturally self-pruning species; it can be difficult to tell naturally pruned trees from those that have been artificially pruned prior to harvest.
“However, the research shows that to produce better quality, higher value logs, managed pruning is essential for obtaining long clear lengths from the tree butt.”
Cown said the best indication of value came from combining the new log and stem value models with a Pruned Log Index and Conversion Potential factor for pruned butts, and by combining whorls per metre and Conversion Potential for unpruned logs.
FWPA managing director Dr Glen Kile said the studies showed that the most important influencers of hoop pine value were stem size, straightness and internode frequency.
“Breeders will be encouraged to concentrate on these traits in future genetic selection programs,” Kile said.
“However, management of pruning is the critical factor influencing individual tree and crop value.”
The project was conducted in collaboration with Forestry Plantations Queensland, Timber Queensland, Yarraman Pine and Hyne.
The full report “Resource and processing properties of hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii)” is available from the www.fwpa.com.au

If you would like to submit a news item to be considered for inclusion on Inwood Today, please email the text to: Australia, Jim Bowden, and all other countries to info@inwoodmag.com

All news on this site is compiled by Inwood Today and may be subject to international copyright.
News Archives