THE ESTABLISHMENT AND REGENERATION OF EUCALYPTUS SALIGNA PLANTATIONS IN THE COASTAL BELT OF ZULULAND

SUMMARY The history and development of the short rotation eucalyptus growing industry in South Africa is briefly dealt with. Today this industry covers over 200,000 acres, mainly consisting of E. saligna, and is concentrated in the Eastern and Northern Transvaal and along the sub-tropical coastal belt of Zululand where over 50,000 acres have already been planted to this species. Experimental work on the establishment of E. saligna plantation is described and the early results recorded. E. saligna is very intolerant of weed competition in the early stages and in afforestation complete soil preparation should always be used. For the best results seed should not be sown before the beginning of April and young plants are generally ready for planting out into the field after two to three months. Seedlings are very sensitive and if good results are to be obtained in the nursery it is necessary to enrich the poor sandy soil with liberal quantities of compost and manure. Afforestation is best carried out with plants about four inches high and during the cooler winter months. Watering after planting is also always advisable. The use of superphosphate fertilizer in the establishment of plantations was tried and not found to be of value. Where bad grass competition occurs one clean weeding during the first summer after establishment significantly improves growth and is recommended. The early results of coppice regeneration experiments, with and without the burning of brushwood after clear felling, are given and discussed.