Eucalyptus keeps on trying

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fast growth and an ability to adapt to hot tropical climates.

Originating in Australia, the tree was introduced to California in 1853. In 1854 a French trader visiting Melbourne became determined to grow the eucalyptus in Algeria. Through his efforts, the species was transferred to the Mediterranean, Southern Europe and Africa as well as the United States. Eucalypts in Hawaii date back to 1880.

As the tree adapted to new geographical locations, it became useful for landscaping, firewood and limited use as a timber. Some considered wood from the tree to be fireproof. Since eucalyptus shingles were used on houses in Australia, an attempt was made to introduce them to California. Although many groves were planted, eucalyptus failed to become a wood of commercial importance.

The eucalypts have general hardwood characteristics, typically contain high internal stresses and are prone to excessive shrinkage and distortion on drnng. This severely reduces the yield of usable material. However, high quality hardboard can be produced in volume from mature wood of a large number of species. In general the wood is suitable for wet process pro- duction. It also can be used for insulation board manufacture.

E. saligna is used commercially for production of particleboard at a plant in Brazil. A small amount of Australian plywood uses veneer from mature trees of several species. Eucalyptus lumber is widely used in Australia. Utility and construction poles, marine and foundation piles, posts and rails are produced from the eucalypts in most of the countries where they are grown.

Many efforts have been made to develop the eucalyptus commercially in the United States. Tests have been conducted in California, Oregon and Florida as well as Hawaii. The United States Department of Agriculture has held several workshops and published a number of research papers on the subject.

An excellent example of an attempt to commercialize the species is a study

Story at a Glance

Eucalyptus achieves small commercial success. .studies continue. .hidden potential... wood of the future?

done in Hawaii on robusta, a common species there.

Robusta (Eucalyptus robusta Sm.) has been grown in Hawaii since 1800. In 1960 there were 4,000 acres of merchantable stands on Hawaii; 1700 on Maui; 300 on Molokai; 2,000 on Oahu and 1,600 on Kauai, most growing in easily accessible plantations.

It was estimated that there were some I l0 million board feet of quality saw timber available. Marketing was thought to have been hampered by lack of knowledge and adverse opinions. Most of which had been debunked by local milling experience and research at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wi., supported by the Hawaii Forestry Division.

A strong, hard wood, resistant to rot, used in agriculture, home construction and conveyor slats and residue flumesat the sugar mills,robusta appeared to have more potential commercial use. It was thought that a veneer slicing plant would be an excellent outlet for higher grade material.

Despite this favorable outlook, in 20 years eucalyptus in Hawaii has made little progress commercially. The studies continue, though, and perhaps the day will come.

"LOOKING AROUND" says Paul Bunyan

Paul does not rcst on his fame as the lumberman's symbol of accomplishment. New requirements and changing conditions keep him alert to progress.

Wwpa Spring Meeting

(Continued from page 74) much as 1,200 b.f. in additional lumber used in floor joists. Additionally, a major element in WWPA's programming is pressure-treated wood foundations. The opportunity specifically for western lumber producers is an additional 100 million b.f. per year, valued at some $26 million, just in individual houses.

(2) Outdoor living wood applications. Another use for preservative pressure-treated wood products, to capitalize upon expanding to outdoor wood patio decks the living space new homes are losing as they become smaller and "more affordable." Also, plans include major expectations for demand g;rowth through home remodeling, both by do-it-yourselfers and professional contractors. WWPA sees a potential of some 281 million b.f. of additional annual demand by 1988, valued conservatively at about $90 million to western lumber manufacturers.

(3) Non-residential building construction. Western lumbermen are shooting for an additional459 million b.f. per year by 1988-the equivalent of some 11,475 more buildings (at an average lumber volume of 40,000 b.f. each).

The heart of WWPA's new program is strategic employment of a small corps of professional lumberuse specialists who travel priority market areas presenting educational seminars to architects, engineers, wholesalers, retail lumber managers and employees, competent manufacturers, homebuilders and building code officials. Tlade advertising, merchandising materials, editorial publicity and technical and conceptual literature supports the field action.

At the WWPA luncheon Dr. Charls E. Walker, a renom economist, said that the U.S. needs a new tax base, possibly including a Value Added Tbx. He foresees a positive business scenario for 1984 if, as he expects, defense spending is cut and the Congress approves a tax increase. If not, Walker anticipates serious financial consequences will ensue.

A clue to which course may be found by watching the financial markets' reaction to the federal deficit, he suggested.

WWPA's next major meeting will be the Fall meeting, Sept. 15-18, 1984 at Del Monte Hyatt House, Monterey, Ca.