Management of Eucalyptus Grandis Coppice Regeneration of Seedling Parent Stock in Zululand, South Africa (Report‪)‬

Introduction Plantation forestry carried out in the Zululand region is of great importance as it contributes 18% of the total eucalypts grown for hardwood pulpwood in South Africa (Directorate Forest Policy 2000). One of the notable attributes of Eucalyptus species is their ability to survive and produce new growth following adverse environmental conditions (Florence 1996). This is largely a function of the bud systems of the genus. Although four types of buds are recognised in eucalypts, coppice regrowth in Eucalyptus grandis following felling is confined to development from epicormic buds, which are situated in the live bark, or cambium, at the base of the tree (Penfold and Willis 1961). This survival mechanism is exploited in commercial plantations for reestablishment following felling. For E. grandis the coppice shoots can be selectively thinned over time and managed as a coppice stand for the production of pulpwood (MacLennan and Schonau 1991; Little 2000).