A new manual focusing on New Zealand beeches (Nothofagus) offers advice for anyone interested in managing beeches for timber and conservation.

Produced by Scion in collaboration with Tane’s Tree Trust, this manual provides up-to-date information on the ecology, establishment and sustainable management of beeches.

Scion scientist and co-author, Dr David Bergin says beeches are among the best known and most important native tree species in New Zealand.

“Although most remaining beech forests are located within the conservation estate, large areas of manageable beech forest remain in freehold and Maori tenure,” he explains.

“The opportunity exists to manage these forests in a sustainable way to meet multiple objectives, including timber production.”

Written by Mark Smale (Landcare Research) and Scion scientists, David Bergin and Greg Steward, the publication was funded by the Sustainable Farming Fund and Future Forests Research.

This is the sixth publication in Scion’s popular series on New Zealand’s indigenous trees that highlights the commercial potential of native species.

Other publications highlight the opportunities offered by high value species such as kauri and totara.

See www.scionresearch.com for details on the full series.

The Beech manual is priced at $20 plus postage (free to members of Tane’s Tree Trust). To order a copy contact: Show email