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As at April 2007 there are 71 800 hectares of planted production forest
in Marlborough of which 95% is Pinus radiata (a native of California) with the balance in
Douglas Fir, Eucalyptus and Cypress.
Marlborough has favourable growing conditions for exotic forestry and
Pinus radiata 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 to ensure a good growth rate.
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. |
