The prospects for re-establishing Pinus radiata as a commercially important species in Rhodesia

Abstract

Pinus radiata ceased to be a commercially important species in Rhodesia after disease became widespread about 35 years ago. Despite this, some stands have grown through to rotation age and produced high quality timber. Dothistroma pini is now recognized as the limiting disease. There has been little success in breeding for resistance but there are indications that this can be obtained through vegetative propagation of mature material. It is suggested that there is a case for using this technique for trying to re-establish P. radiata as a commercial species by planting it as the final timber crop component in a matrix of one of the more reliable, but less valuable, species.