Flowers, Seed and Propagation:
Eucalyptus pilularis leaves,flowers and trees
Eucalyptus pilularis has white flowers in clusters of 7–15, with flowering occurring between September and March, but mainly December to February. Budding is influenced by rainfall and other seasonal factors. Buds generally appear in late winter or spring and are carried for 15–18 months before flowering occurs. Seed is ripe from December to February.
Seed is dark brown, smooth, 2–2.5 mm long and pyramidal or obliquely pyramidal. There is an average of 57 viable seeds/g. Eucalyptus pilularis is a prolific seeder and regenerates readily from seed in the field. It is usually propagated from seed with no pretreatment required. Germination takes place in three weeks under moist, warm conditions (20° to 25°C) in the presence of light. Mature seed can remain viable for 5–20 years if stored at low moisture content (4%–8%) in sealed containers at 3° to 5°C.
The propagation of Eucalyptus pilularis by mini-cuttings is being trialled by Forests NSW tree improvement program with the aim of being able to rapidly deliver improved genetic material to operational plantations. The program involves vegetative propagation from a number of seedlings of selected pedigreed families and provides a wider genetic diversity than the traditional and time-consuming approach of cloning from a single plant.
Silviculture and Management:
Eucalyptus pilularis can be successfully established with similar preparation and treatments as many other eucalypts, ensuring good weed control prior to planting. Seedlings can be either hand or mechanically planted. To allow machinery to be used, a spacing of 3–5 m between rows is required. Spacings and planting designs vary, but suitable initial spacings for woodlots are 3 m x 3 m (1111 trees/ha) and 4 m x 2.5 m (1000 trees/ha). Thin in later years to reduce stocking and to allow remaining trees to grow to their maximum potential. Form pruning may be required after 5–7 years. Eucalyptus pilularis is very suitable for farm woodlots because mild fires can be used to reduce fuel loads from age 8 without tree damage.
In State Forests of NSW plantations, planting areas are ripped and mounded or cultivated depending on site conditions. Trees are planted at a spacing of 4 m x 2.5 m (1000 trees/ha) and a fertiliser treatment applied shortly after planting to promote early growth. Weed control is carried out prior to planting and continued for two years after planting as needed. Pruning is not a routine practice at present, with natural branch shedding being encouraged by planting at a relatively high stocking rate (1000 trees/ha), thus encouraging the rise of the green crown and reducing branch diameter. The small lower branches are then cleanly shed.
Economic Information:
Eucalyptus pilularis timbers
Eucalyptus pilularis is the principal hardwood in coastal NSW and south-eastern QLD. Its ease of regeneration and good early growth, combined with steady demand for the timber, makes it a favoured species with foresters. It produces more than 70% of the high quality logs from native forests on the north coast of NSW. Native regrowth forests can yield commercially viable quantities of timber if well managed. Prices received for timber are variable and dependent on local market conditions. The multiple uses of Eucalyptus pilularis, including timber, bees and firewood, make it suitable for planting in farm woodlots. Due to high growth rates of up to 10 m in five years, it is an excellent choice for plantations on frost free, well drained, moderate to good fertility sites of the north coast of NSW. Trials demonstrate that wood properties are directly related to genetics. A breeding program is proceeding in NSW and south-eastern QLD with large family trials of a range of provenances being assessed as the basis for long-term improvement. These trials are currently yielding selections for clonal seed orchards.
Qualifying Tolerance Information:
Sites must be well drained, predominantly frost free and have a uniform, high rainfall. Tolerates up to 15 frosts per year, but does not tolerate heavy frosts. Seedlings tolerate only very light frosts. Performs best on deep, well-drained soils and is intolerant of waterlogging and salinity. On poorlyaerated soils it is sensitive to soil pathogens such as Phytophthora. Sensitive to long dry periods and has low tolerance to exposure to wind.
