Genetics of Eucalyptus wood properties

Traditional methods of assessing wood properties are both destructive and expensive, limiting the numbers of samples that can be processed. Over the past decade, non-destructive sampling techniques and new assessment methods have been developed leading to a large increase in the numbers of trees and traits that can be evaluated. This technology has enabled the assessment of progeny trials to determine the patterns of variation, degree of genetic control and economic importance of many wood traits, leading to the inclusion of wood properties in many eucalypt breeding programs. Issues addressed in this paper include the potential markets and products for plantation eucalypts; which wood properties should be assessed; sampling and assessment methods; and genetic control and patterns of variation for a range of wood properties.