SOFTWOOD SAWLOG SPECIES

Pinus Pinaster (Maritime Pine)

Pinus pinaster was the first softwood species to be grown for plantation timber in Western Australia. It is suited to sandy areas with an annual winter rainfall of between 400 and 700 mm. The Forest Products Commission breeding program is based on the Leirian origin (Portugal) as this provenance has demonstrated its superiority in South-West Western Australia for growth, wood quality, stem and branching form and tolerance to drought. The breeding program commenced in 1957 and is in its third generation of advanced breeding.

Pinus radiata (Monterey Pine)

Pinus radiata was the second major softwood species to be introduced into Western Australia and occupies the higher winter rainfall areas (600 - 1200mm per annum). The Forest Products Commission breeding program commenced in the early 1960's and is predominantly of Monterey origin. Selection for Phytopthora-resistance (PC-resistance) became a major selection criterion to successfully establish a number of infected areas in Western Australia. The breeding program is now in its third generation of advanced breeding. Control pollinated seed can be produced on request for specific breeding traits with higher GF ratings than recorded with open pollinated seed production. The special traits include high wood density, drought-tolerance and insect resistance. There is a 2-year waiting period for the production of seed.

Pinus brutia (sub species of Pinus halapensis)

.brutia gained attention due to its adaptation to low rainfall environments and good growth form. A clonal orchard was established in 1969 that contains the then best growth and form selections identified from the Cyprus provenance. The species is being further developed at the family level with Natural Heritage funding and at the provenance level with ALRTIG. Both sources of funding are allowing for new clonal orchards of wider collections of the species to be established.