Ground Durable Eucalyptus
XyloGene durable eucalypts and New Zealand Dryland Forests Innovation
Morgans Road Nursery first started propagating seedlings for New Zealand Dryland Forests Innovation (NZDFI) tree breeding and forestry research programme in 2008.
Since then, we have produced around half million seedlings from over 600 seedlots of many diverse durable eucalypt species that have been successfully deployed and tested in NZDFI research trials.
NZDFI is now commercially producing the first generation of XyloGene-branded genetically improved seed of three durable eucalypt species:
· Eucalyptus globoidea (White stringybark) – a species which grows productively across a range of sites and produces class 2 durable timber (expected in-ground service life of 15-25 years) which is strong, versatile, easy to machine with attractive grain.
· Eucalyptus bosistoana (Coast grey box) – a species which grows best on fertile, sheltered sites and produces class 1 durable timber (expected in-ground service life of 25-plus years) which is very hard and strong.
· Eucalyptus cladocalyx (Sugar gum) - a species which can tolerate some of New Zealand's driest, toughest sites as long as they are largely frost-free. It produces Class 1 durable timber. (E. cladocalyx improved seed has not been developed via NZDFI’s breeding programme, but from a genetic improvement programme undertaken in Australia. This has been extensively tested by NZDFI).
These XyloGene seedlots offer growers a range of genetic improvement in adaptability, growth, form, heartwood volume and durability.
To achieve genetic gains, elite trees have been selected for propagation. The trees have been tested in New Zealand environments with varying biotic and abiotic factors. NZDFI’s seedling and clonal seed orchards are designed to ensure outcrossing between diverse genotypes to produce nursery stock adapted to New Zealand conditions.
We purchase XyloGene seed because of its superior performance when compared to planting provenance collections imported from Australia or collected in New Zealand.
Selecting a suitable site for XyloGene eucalypts
Growers need to have a suitable site environment if planting is to be successful. New Zealand has a wide range of different site and environmental conditions: not all are suitable for growing durable eucalypts.
NZDFI’s selected durable eucalypt species are adapted to a wide range of differing soils and climate found in New Zealand’s northern coastal regions. Winter temperature extremes restrict planting in the central North Island and much of the southern South Island. Optimal sites are sheltered with low-to-moderate frost and good soil drainage.
Visit the NZDFI website for further information.
Home - NZ Dryland Forests Innovation
Choosing the right species - NZ Dryland Forests Innovation
XyloGene - Home page - Xylogene Durable Eucalypts
The XyloGene brand is registered with the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand. Under an IP licence, nurseries can produce and brand seedlings propagated from XyloGene seed and charge royalties on the seedling numbers they sell.
Eucalypt Seedling Sales - Xylogene Durable Eucalypts
• The seedlings cannot be used for production of cuttings or any other vegetative propagules.
• The seedlings cannot be used for breeding purposes.
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XyloGene Seedlots |
Seedlot code |
Ranking genetic quality |
Seedling royalty fee |
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Proseed NZ 1st generation clonal seed orchard (CSO) XyloGene seedlot. Grafted seed orchard of best individuals from the top ranked families selected for growth, stem form and low growth strain. |
CSO |
1 |
20c |
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NZDFI seedling seed orchard (SSO) XyloGene seedlot. Progeny trial collection from elite individuals of top ranked families. |
SSO |
2 |
10c |
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NZDFI stand select (SS) XyloGene seedlot – Collection from stands of trees of known native provenances. |
SS |
3 |
5c |
‘XyloGene’ arises from ‘xylon’ – the Greek word for wood, and ‘genus’ – the Greek word for generation.