Exotic Intruders
Why radiata?
Why radiata?
Over ninety percent of plantation forests in New Zealand are Pinus radiata. And yet it is usual afforestation policy throughout the world to avoid placing complete reliance on one introduced species, as it may fall victim to a single virus, a single pest or a single genetic weakness. No one timber meets all needs, and no species flourishes in all situations. So why this single-minded reliance on radiata?
For a while it looked as if the Douglas fir would result in equal volume production, but it takes 70 to 80 years to reach maturity compared to 35 to 40 years for the radiata. However its timber, known as Oregon, is superior for some uses. Corsican pine takes up to 100 years to mature, but tolerates colder and dryer conditions. So why is radiata so very much preferred for the mass of plantation growing?
The answer is, simply, that it is ideal. Its seeds can be collected throughout the year. It transplants easily and needs very little care thereafter. It is resistant to disease and tolerates herbicides' so that weed-clearing underneath the tree is easily carried out. It grows vigorously on almost any soil and responds well to thinning and pruning. It makes an excellent timber to work with, is readily treated with preservative, dresses easily, seasons quickly, takes all paint finishes, makes a good veneer and produces a high-quality, long-fibred pulp.
Which, in a nutshell, is the success story of the radiata.