Where is radiata pine timber grown

When grown as a plantation tree, radiata pine is usually a tall straight tree with small branches, except on the edge of the plantation where the accessibility to light and space allows the trees to grow large branches. Genetic improvements have contributed to the improvement in growth rates and form straightness and uniformity of plantation-grown radiata pine.

There are a small number of pests and diseases which may attack pine plantations. Fortunately, these are controllable with proper site selection and good management of factors such as fertility and harvesting schedules.

In some cases, spraying with chemicals is a necessary control measure. The tree has a wide tolerance to site and rainfall; however, the species performs poorly in heavy clay soils. Suitable soils should have a depth of at least 50 cm with well-drained subsoil and weathered rock, which is penetrable by water and root systems.

While radiata pine is frost and cold hardy it can be seriously damaged by heavy snowfalls, so it is generally planted below metres in the Southern Slopes, and below metres in the Central Tablelands.

Plantation radiata pine will grow reasonably well in areas with an average annual rainfall as low as mm 24 inches , but for best commercial development a mean annual rainfall of at least mm 28 inches is recommended. For further information see Radiata pine. Grant, Sydney. The seeds are de-winged and sorted into size and weight before being planted into seedbeds or pots in a nursery. Fertilisers, fungicides and weeding is used to produce good seedlings.

At about nine months old, the seedlings are ready for planting. A plantation is where many seedlings are planted by people and grown into trees for a range of purposes from timber production through to environmental protection. Back to 'Supermodels' of state forests. Back to Woodwork - select information. Back to Quick trip. Skip to navigation Skip to content. Home » Sustainability » Education » Wild forest adventure » Woodwork » Woodwork - select information » 'Supermodels' of state forests » Radiata pine » Radiata pine trees.

Radiata pine cones. Some older trees are nearly feet high and more than 6 feet in diameter. The plantation-grown tree provides wood that has fine, straight grain with few knots. With the substantial reduction in harvest of Ponderosa pine in the U. There is only a small variation in properties from country to country, but some woodworkers believe Chilean sources have the best color. Radiata pine lumber has a wide variety of uses including furniture, cabinets and millwork, as well as for paneling.

It is widely used for building and structural applications, including glue-laminated beams and engineered trusses.