Climatically Suitable Growth Areas for Eucalyptus nitens

Eucalyptus nitens is used for pulp, woodchips and sawlogs. Eucalyptus nitens requires a MAP > 850 mm with annual rainfall requirements increasing by 17 mm for each degree Celsius > 13 degree Celsius (Schulze, 1997). Minimum annual rainfall is 700 mm (DPI, 2000). While thriving at sites with MAT 13 - 16 degree Celsius, the optimal MATs are in a narrow range of 14 - 15 degree Celsius (Kunz, 2004). January (hottest month) means of maximum temperatures should be < 26 degree Celsius while July (coldest month) minima should average > -2 degree Celsius. E. nitens is a cold tolerant species and when MAT > 15 degree Celsius, growth rates are impeded and this species becomes drought and disease prone (Kunz, 2004).