Awapuni nurseries grow radiata pine commercially and can handle huge volume orders fit for10h to 100-hectare plantations.
The Radiata pine is a towering, fast-growing evergreen tree (up to 60 meters & up to 2-meter diameter), that is widely planted and seen in New Zealand forests. It is a versatile, low-maintenance conifer that is widely-used as timber, globally. Known for its strength, it can tolerate coastal to sub-alpine conditions. If not harvested for its timber, it can live up to 150 years.
Where does it grow?
The radiata pine is endemic to southern California and northern Mexico. However, arguably, New Zealand gives it the best conditions to flourish productively. It’s the most commonly planted and grown pine in the world and the most popular commercial timber species in New Zealand. It can live in low to moderate altitudes and can handle little to high rainfall. The radiata pine thrives really well on free draining to moderate free draining soil. This evergreen conifer can withstand strong winds even and warm to cold temperature.
Radiata Pine Plantation Best Practices
Over the years, massive amounts of research and innovation have been done on pinus radiata to support sustainable practices. Here are some tactics used in many scenarios (context considered):
1. Protection of indigenous ecosystems is a significant consideration.
2. Riparian strips, preferably with native species, greater than 10 m wide.
3. Careful (limited) use of herbicide sprays during the establishment phase.
4. Leave coarse and fine woody debris generated during logging on site.
5. Monitor stand density - look after understorey getting shaded out if stand density is high. If it's too low, monitor weed growth.
6. Use longer rotations.
7. Minimise disturbance during logging operations.
8. Plan for management of endangered species.
9. Constantly improve local and community relationships. Encourage feedback and social learning.
Best growing conditions for the Radiata Pine
1. Deep sandy loams with think duff layer
2. Moderately sheltered, slightly shady sites
3. Sloped, well-draining areas
Radiata pine benefits to the environment:
1. They protect the land from soil erosion due to heavy rain.
2. They provide shelter to wildlife and improve biodiversity.
3. Pine forests clean our air and our streams.
Radiata pine benefits to the society:
1. The development of pine forests for recreation and well-being opportunities is a great benefit to the businesses, locals and tourists.
2. Forests make beautiful landscapes and create stunning views.
3. Reduce devastating landslides.
Radiata pine benefits to the environment:
1. They protect the land from soil erosion due to heavy rain.
2. They provide shelter to wildlife and improve biodiversity.
3. Pine forests clean our air and our streams.
Radiata pine benefits to the society:
1. The development of pine forests for recreation and well-being opportunities is a great benefit to the businesses, locals and tourists.
2. Forests make beautiful landscapes and create stunning views.
3. Reduce devastating landslides.
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
Trees are amazing for carbon dioxide absorption through their natural food processing mechanism called photosynthesis. However, not all trees are created equal and some absorb more CO2 than others. Pinus radiata’s carbon absorption research results are very favourable classifying it as one of the best ones absorbing up to 1000 tonnes of carbon over 25 years.
The New Zealand government has earmarked a budget of $238 million to support its target of one billion trees by 2028. This is one of the steps that New Zealand is taking to meet its obligations under the Paris agreement of 200 million tonnes of reductions across the economy by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2050. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change.
This is a massive opportunity for forest owners in New Zealand to make a claim in NZ emission units (NZUs) as their tree plantations absorb CO2.
New Zealand has an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to encourage reduction of emissions domestically. The ETS puts a price on greenhouse gas emissions in the form of New Zealand units (NZU). One NZU is equal to 1 tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent. Sectors that absorb greenhouse gases, such as forestry, can earn and trade NZUs. On the other hand, industry sectors that produce greenhouse gases are required to purchase and surrender NZUs to the Government.
The transport, energy, industrial processing, waste, and forestry sectors are fully included in the ETS and are obligated to surrender units for emissions. The agriculture sector reports emissions in the ETS, but is not obligated to surrender units.
Returns on forest plantations emission trading:
Estimated returns could be beneficial, with a forest absorbing 50 tonnes a hectare a year generating $1200 a ha/year in carbon credits at a unit price of $25
Eligibility criteria:
1. Established bare land after Jan 1, 1990
2. Forest size at least 1 hectare (30 m in width, at maturity must have 30% canopy cover and 5m tall
3. Trees need to be spaced within 15m
Further information on this link (New Zealand ETS).
How can you help?
1. Promote sustainable forestry management and practices.
2. Encourage small scale harvesting, research and innovation and training.
3. Support local reforestation initiatives.
4. Join a community planting day.
5. Plant trees on your land.
6. Let's protect our forests!
Awapuni nurseries grow radiata pine commercially and can handle huge volume orders fit for 10h to 100-hectare plantations. We still have a some plants available right now. We are taking orders for radiata pine tree seedlings for 2024. 2023 orders - fully allocated.
Orders must be in before 1st April 2022. For more information, please contact Henri at 021 340 300 or email henri@awapuni.co.nz
Click here for details and pricing.
Further reading resources:
Radiata Pine
NZFFA Resource 1 on Radiata Pine
NZFFA Resource 2 on Radiata Pine
