Selection of Eucalyptus species for soil conservation planting in seasonally dry hill country.

The performance of 56 Eucalyptus species (119 provenances) at two exposed, seasonally dry, hill country sites in the Wairarapa district was assessed at age 5 years. There were significant differences among species in height and diameter growth, Eucalyptus tortoise beetle (Paropsis charybdis Stal) and leaf roller caterpillar (Strepsicrates macropetana Meyrick) damage, wind damage, stem straightness, crown width, crown density, and branch size. Eucalyptus cordata Labill., E. fasti gat a Deane et Maid., E* fraxinoides Deane et Maid., E. obliqua L'Herit, E. pulchella Desf., and E. regnans F. Muell. ranked highly for most traits at both sites and are considered to be the most suitable of those species tested.