4.5. Influence of pruning on tree stocking rates,
final crop selection and thinning
Only a limited number of trees are pruned within a
stand. For example, in Tasmania E. nitens is planted
at rates of 1000–1100 (4m 2:5 m) trees ha1, from
which at least 300 final crop trees can be selected for
pruning (Neilsen and Gerrand, 1999). In South Africa,
stocking rates between 1111 (3m 3 m) and 1667
(3m 2 m) stems per hectare are used for E. grandis
(Jenkin, 1992). It is the 100–350 crop trees ha1 that
should be the focus of any pruning. The initial tree
stocking rates required to produce sufficient final crop
trees will be determined by the quality and growth
characteristics of the planting stock, establishment
techniques and survival rates (Schonau and Coetzee,
1989). Final stocking rates will be influenced by target
log size and desired length of the rotation.
Pruning of eucalypts requires the selection of
final crop trees 1–5 years after planting. Selection is
based on tree form (straight stem, single leader, ligh