Survey of existing uses and market potential of naturallyregenerated farm totara

摘要

The Northland Totara Working Group has completed a survey on the uses and market potential of naturally regenerated farm totara timber. The results are very encouraging. There was clear support for use of timber from totara regenerating on farms and the potential development of a sustainable commercial industry around this emerging resource. There were also some positive indications for the future of native timber generally. The survey involved over 54 participants in seven different groups. These included land owners, sawmillers, timber merchants and wood processors, cabinet-makers and craftsmen, architects and designers, wood quality scientists and carvers of totara for cultural use. The timber from relatively young naturally regenerated totara trees from pastoral farmland has not only been widely used, but it is considered to be an excellent native softwood timber. Farm totara was found to be relatively easy to mill, dry, work and finish, and is considered to be suitable for all interior uses, particularly feature linings, joinery and furniture.