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15th May 2025

Hybrid Clone Consortium's Eucalyptus trials bear fruit

NCT has developed a strong Eucalyptus hybrid clone programme, focusing on hybridising Eucalyptus grandis with other species, such as Eucalyptus smithii, to produce fast-growing trees that meet the requirements of international wood chip markets and are tolerant to various pests and diseases. Wattle and E. smithii command premium prices in international wood chip markets due to their wood properties, and NCT Tree Farming prioritises these species on suitable sites.

17th March 2025

14th Annual Wood Conference inspired local built environment professionals

The Kuratle Group's 14th annual Wood Conference, held on 25 February 2025 at the CTICC in Cape Town, convened a

11th November 2024

The SA forestry and forest products sector marks 15 years of transformation

The Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC) marks a decade and a half of overseeing and reporting the forestry and forest products sector's progress in achieving its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) codes of good practice targets.

20th October 2024

Scovia Akello wins the She Is Forestry Postgrad Award

Stellenbosch University's Department of Forestry and Wood Science's Scovia Akello, a PhD student supervised by Prof Brand Wessels since 2021, won the 2024 She is Forestry Postgraduate Award.

15th July 2024

The IUFRO Stockholm Congress Statement

On 28 June 2024, the XXVI International Union Of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress issued the Stockholm Congress Statement calling for resolute and equitable actions and the best use of the knowledge provided by the global science community for informed and far-sighted decisions to move Forests and Society Towards 2050.

30th May 2024

HOT NEWS BYTES: Innovations and inventions for next level forestry

Sappi Southern Africa has concluded a milestone 175GWh per annum renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement with Enpower Trading, a NERSA-licensed

16th May 2024

Search for biocontrol of invasive American bramble intensifies

Invasive American bramble is a thorn in the side of foresters, farmers and land managers across large swaths of South

27th March 2024

Time to build with timber

How engineered wood can decarbonise the South African built environment …by Roy Southey, Executive Director, Sawmilling South Africa Our planet

23rd February 2024

Navigating the minefield of pesticide use in forestry

A ground-breaking study undertaken in the KZN midlands shows that pesticides commonly used in South African plantation forests pose low

03rd July 2023

Climate change & forestry sustainability on research radar

Professor Mary Scholes is heading up a research initiative on climate change and plantation sustainability at Wits University, supported by

24th April 2023

Cypress canker threatens exotic & native trees in SA

Cypress canker is killing exotic cypress trees in South Africa and poses a serious threat to native cedars, setting alarm

21st April 2023

In search of a biocontrol for the Shot Hole Borer

Since it was discovered in KwaZulu-Natal in 2017, the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) (Euwallacea fornicates) has spread rapidly into

27th June 2022

FSA secures R18 m funding for forest protection

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) concluded between Forestry South Africa and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

31st May 2022

Using drone & satellite to track pest damage

FABI and ICFR researchers are collaborating in an innovative project to develop a system to monitor the impact of the

29th March 2022

Massive potential for drones in forestry

From data collection on the health of trees to monitoring plantation, road and river crossing conditions on the ground or

17th January 2022

Vergelegen estate tests enviro-friendly gum poles

Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West is testing the use of untreated, environment friendly poles in its vineyards. The untreated

07th December 2021

Are multi-storey timber buildings viable in South Africa?

Research by a structural engineer finds that construction of multi-story timber buildings would be financially feasible in South Africa, but

29th October 2021

EucXylo team set to grow

A small nursery of 12 newly planted Eucalyptus trees near the Department of Forest and Wood Sciences at Stellenbosch University

28th June 2021

Drone-mounted tool for sampling tree canopies

A University of Sherbrooke research team specialising in aerial robotics has developed a self-powered, drone-mounted tool that is able to

26th April 2021

Andrew Morris - big contribution to forestry research

Dr Andrew Morris, who retired from his post as CEO of the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) at the

22nd April 2021

International collaboration boosts forestry education

Five South African universities have partnered with local and international stakeholders to introduce cutting edge, climate-smart forestry and entrepreneurship to

24th March 2021

SA researchers push the innovation envelope

Three South African researchers have made it to the global shortlist of the Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Awards.

14th January 2021

ICFR lab offers new opportunities for research and innovation

The development of an Analytical Laboratory Service (ALS) Platform at the ICFR has led to a resurgence of laboratory-based forestry

18th September 2020

York funds research in timber structural engineering innovation

PRETORIA – Forestry company York Timbers, the largest solid wood processor in South Africa, has signed a funding agreement with

Mondi - Expression of Interest (EOI)

New study confirms FSC certification contributes to maintaining and increasing forest cover

Minister George plants trees at Sappi Shaw in Arbour Week

Hybrid Clone Consortium's Eucalyptus trials bear fruit

14th Annual Wood Conference inspired local built environment professionals

The SA forestry and forest products sector marks 15 years of transformation