SILVICULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RADIATA PINE IN TAPANUI DISTRICT

Branch development throughout the crown in young unthinned stands is described. Also illustrated are the effects of initial spacing and thinning on the branch diameters encountered and knotty core diameters obtained in pruning according to various pruning schedules. Wider initial spacing or thinning prior to pruning are shown to cause considerable increases in branch and knotty core diameters, and the conclusion is reached that first thinning should be delayed until pruning to 18 feet is completed.