Abstract

Based on recent research results on India's two most extensively planted eucalypts, Eucalyptus grandis and E. tereticornis, an evaluation is made of the major sources of variation in basic density, fibre length and heartwood percentage. The results on age- and growth-related variations suggest that there is much scope for reducing the rotation age (below 8-9 years) and also for accelerating tree growth without ill-effects on the properties. Relatively little tree-to-tree variation was found. The results are discussed in relation to initiating a eucalypt tree breeding programme in India