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As at April 2009 there are 71 400 hectares of
planted production forest in Marlborough of which 95% is radiata
pine (a native of California) with the balance in Douglas Fir,
Eucalyptus and Cypress.
Marlborough has favourable growing conditions for plantation
forestry and radiata pine will produce about 500 cubic metres of
logs from a hectare of land in 28-30 years.
Most of the forest plantings are located in the wetter parts of
Marlborough which receive adequate rainfall ensuring good growth
rates.
Marlborough's forest age class distribution shows an increasing area
that can be harvested in the future. There was a significant peak in
new forest area planted each year, during the mid to late 1990s.
The region now has a sound infrastructure to cope with the current
expansion of harvesting and processing. Economies of scale indicate
a further increase to around 100,000 hectares planted area would
enhance the potential of the local industry by offering a resource
base for larger scale processing.
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