14 Despite the temporary setback with the Richards Bay fire, the prospects for wattle timber and bark markets over the next few years are very good. However, the resource is under pressure with reports of shrinking areas and declining yield. The commercial wattle plantation area has reduced due to conversion to Eucalyptus (Corporates) and to commercial agriculture. Reduction in yield can be attributed to the impact of pest and disease and challenging environmental conditions (hail, wind, drought, heat, frost). Management interventions can arrest this decline and result in improved timber and bark production What to plant? Wattle clones (cuttings) are recommended over seedlings and are now available through registered nurseries. The cloneAF1 and SP644s have been developed for tolerance to the wattle rust disease. AF1 will produce a higher bark and timber tonnages but it does have excessive branching and requires an early corrective prune. SP644 is a very close second choice and has a better form with lighter branches. The improved uniformity and vigour of clone plantations will result in a significant yield improvement. From trials and early growth in commercial plantations indications are that if Production Seed Orchard Seedlings gave you 85 to 100 tonnes of timber per Ha on your farm, there is no reason why the above two clones will not achieve 100 to 130 tonnes/ha. FW54 is a frosttolerant clone and can handle winter temperatures as low as minus six (trial data). However, this is Growing Wattle – Craig Norris, NCT’s Tree Farming Manager – Wattle clone trial. A seedling plot in the foreground with a AF1 clone plot in the background.
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