2020 journal article

A Growth and Yield Model for Eucalyptus benthamii in the Southeastern United States

FOREST SCIENCE, 66(1), 25–37.

By: K. Hall*, J. Stape*, B. Bullock*, D. Frederick n, J. Wright*, H. Scolforo *, R. Cook n 

author keywords: short-rotation woody crops; cold-tolerant Eucalyptus; biomass; site index; basal area
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UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
13. Climate Action (Web of Science)
15. Life on Land (Web of Science)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: April 27, 2020

Abstract In recent Eucalyptus cold-tolerance trials, E. benthamii has shown good growth rates as well as cold tolerance for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 and 9. This study developed growth and yield models for E. benthamii in the southeastern United States. A network of 182 temporary sample plots of E. benthamii ranging in age from 1.5 to 13.3 years was established, and inventory data were collected. Site quality was determined by fitting a polymorphic site index curve, whereas a function for stand basal area based on age, dominant height, and site occupancy was fitted. Stand-level volume and dry-weight biomass prediction equations were fitted as a function of dominant height and basal area. Based on the growth and yield model results, mean annual increments ranged from 26.4 m3 ha–1 year–1 at rotation age 6 years on the best sites to 13.7 m3 ha–1 year–1 at rotation age 10 years on the poorest sites. This is the first published set of management-oriented models for land managers considering planting E. benthamii in the southeastern United States.