Forest Service

Scientific research is a major reason for the forest industry's success as a revenue earner.

The New Zealand Forest Service employs 50 scientists at the Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, and 7 at the Forest and Ranger Experiment Station, North Canterbury.

Research projects being carried out by the Forest Research Institute involve such questions as the strength and properties of New Zealand timbers, silvicultural practices, seasoning and treating wood with preservatives. Others are concerned with growth, forest soils, nursery techniques, tree genetics, the rehabilitation of cut-over forests, tree nutrition and health, and controlling disease-causing organisms

The Forest and Ranger Experiment Station surveys watershed conditions, studies afforestation on mountain lands and alpine grasslands, and carries out noxious animal research.