Eucalyptus is one of the world’s most productive hardwood tree species and is an ideal source of renewable woody biomass as well as fiber for the pulp and paper industry. Purpose grown Eucalyptus forests have been planted in many countries around the world including the United States, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, China and India.

Eucalyptus species including E. Grandis have also been grown successfully in south Florida. The yields are significantly greater than any other native hardwood species. However, these trees are unable to withstand sudden drops in temperature experienced in the zones to the north of Florida and, consequently, have not been planted there.

ArborGen has developed a freeze tolerant variety of Eucalyptus that is currently in the United States regulatory approval process. We have introduced a genetic trait that allows the Freeze Tolerant Eucalyptus to withstand freezing temperatures. Field tests of these trees have survived temperatures as low as 15 to 19 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6 to 8 degrees centigrade) and therefore allows the tree to be planted in a corridor south of I-10. The variety we are developing is well known for its high quality fiber and also excels at biomass production. ArborGen Freeze Tolerant Eucalyptus will provide Southeastern landowners with an economically viable hardwood option, something no other hardwood species has to date been able to provide. Furthermore, ArborGen Freeze Tolerant Eucalyptus can be planted on marginal lands.

Planted in traditional pulpwood management systems, the target productivity for this product is 15 to 19 green tons/acre/year on a seven year rotation in a geography below the I-10 corridor. Planted in a biomass management system, this productivity can potentially be increased to 19 to 23 green tons/acre/year. The next generation product yields will be improved even further by introducing our growth genes on a four year rotation.

These are the results of exposure to freezing temperatures in a laboratory setting.		This aerial photo shows the results of freezing temperatures on a field trial of control Eucalyptus and Freeze Tolerant Eucalyptus. The control trees have lost all of their leaves. The surviving trees are Freeze Tolerant Eucalyptus.