RAW-MATERIAL QUALITY OF FAST GROWN EUCALYPTUS-GLOBULUS DURING THE 1ST YEAR

The raw material quality of Eucalyptus globulus during the first year was assessed in an experimental plantation established under four management strategies (control, fertiliser, irrigation and fertiliser/irrigation). The variation of bark content, moisture content, specific gravity and fibre length along the stem for 6-months and 11-months-old trees is presented. Bark content decreases with tree diameter and was lowest for the irrigated and fertilised trees. Wood moisture was negatively correlated with specific gravity. No correlation was found between specific gravity and growth rate and fibre length was generally independent of management strategy.