Tissue Regeneration of Debarked Eucalypts

Some eucalypts can form callus and regenerate bark and xylem when girdled down to the cambium. Of 40 species surveyed, 18 heal over at least two-thirds of the debarked zone within weeks of wounding. Callus and new bark formation is lowest in August and September, coinciding with theperiod of minimum cambial activity. Tissue regeneration is also poorest in trees of low vigor. It is suggested that bark girdling could be used to test hardiness in eucalypts, drought and frost resistance being indicated by those species having the best recovery. Forest Sci. 17:300-30S.