 Vineyard posts
Naturally durable eucalypt posts for vineyards
New Zealand's vineyards are dominated by copper-chrome-arsenate (CCA) treated radiata pine posts that also have low strength and therefore suffer premature breakage. In the medium term, up to 900,000 replacement posts could be required annually at a cost of $40 per post installed, i.e. $36 million pa,
which is approximately 3% of the value of all New Zealand wine exports. Broken posts have the potential to generate up to 24,000 m3/yr of hazardous waste for which there are no acceptable disposal facilities other than secure landfills, which is expensive.
Consequently, the NZDFI project is focused on growing durable eucalypts to
produce a profitable early cash flow within 8 to 10 years from a low-risk product,
of untreated (CCA-free) posts
and poles for New Zealand’s vineyards and other agricultural industries. Further, if woodlots of strong and
durable eucalypts are
grown close to vineyards, the cost and energy required from tree-to-post will be
minimal and there will be no hazardous waste.
 Photo Sophie Preece 2008
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This is a low risk investment because the many wood properties that are critical for sawlog production can be deferred – poor drying, checking, collapse,
growth stresses. The latter difficulties can be addressed later once the species have already established roundwood markets.
The successful planting and use of naturally durable eucalypts for posts will contribute to the “sustainability” image of New Zealand’s vineyards and other horticultural
industries and help retain the credibility and recognition of New Zealand’s clean green brand in our international markets.
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