Fast-growing eucalyptus

Fast-growing eucalyptus

　　Fast-growing eucalyptus

　　Eucalyptus trees have a wide range of uses. They serve as excellent raw material for pulp, as well as high-quality materials for construction, decoration, and furniture. The economic benefits of processing eucalyptus timber are more than ten times higher than those of pulp processing. The natural distribution of eucalyptus ranges from tropical to temperate zones, with over 800 species to choose from, including both cultivation species adapted to tropical areas and fast-growing species suitable for cooler climates. The integrated pulp, paper, and board industry for eucalyptus will become an effective pathway for rapid development of the forestry industry system. The shift in eucalyptus plantations toward cultivating medium to large-diameter timber and the development of the eucalyptus wood processing industry toward solid wood utilization represent the industry trends in South China’s eucalyptus sector. Generally, fast-growing eucalyptus plantations undergo three rounds of tending, and the first generation of trees can be harvested in the fifth year. It is estimated that each mu yields 6 cubic meters of timber. At a rate of 400 yuan per cubic meter, the total income per mu is 2,400 yuan. After deducting input costs per mu (including harvesting, transportation, etc.) of 1,200 yuan, the net profit per mu is 1,200 yuan. After harvesting the first generation of trees, management can continue with the second generation of coppice forests.

　　Tiandong County is located in the Youjiang Basin in western Guangxi, boasting abundant land resources. It is traversed by highways, railways, and waterways, making transportation very convenient. The climate is a typical southern subtropical monsoon climate, featuring ample sunlight, abundant rainfall, an average annual temperature of 21.9°C, an average annual rainfall of 1,200 mm, an average annual evaporation of 1,090 mm, and an average annual relative humidity of 83%. Both the climate and soil conditions are suitable for eucalyptus cultivation. Tiandong County has a total land area of 4.217 million mu, with 82,000 mu currently planted with eucalyptus. According to surveys by forestry authorities, there are still 250,000 mu of forest land suitable for fast-growing eucalyptus, which is expected to expand to 300,000 mu by the end of the 11th Five-Year Plan period.