 Summary
Enhancing the Chestnut Culture for Timber Production in Chile
Chestnut (Castanea sativa) timber is recognized internationally as a high value timber, located in a second level after other precious timbers, such as ebony and mahogany. In Chile on the contrary, it occupies a marginal position inside the internal market. It is generally used as a substitute of oak (Quercus robur) in the industry of furniture and furniture components. However, in the southern area it exists a strong tradition of use of the species as a producer of fruits and as ornamental.
Studies carried out in the country show that the chestnut tree presents interesting characteristics of growth, good quality of the wood and a wide area with potentiality for its establishment. This has been recognized in the forest policy by means of its incorporation among the selected species that receive special subsidies for the forestation, determined annually by CONAF, with the highest premium.
Currently, the higher limitation is the lack of a mass of plantations of the proposed species. Additionally, the existing plantations in Chile had not received a management oriented to timber production, which has as consequence that the products present in the market are of poor quality and with important percentages of losses, due to the presence of defects. In spite of these limitations, the price of the wood is good, similar to that of native species as Raulí (Nothofagus alpina).
Considering that already is available technical information on the chestnut forest cultivation, this investigation pursues to improve the timber productivity of the species by means of the development of forest individuals with superior characteristics.
This will be achieved through the development of a standard of plants of chestnut tree special for timber production, considering nursery technology that can ensure a good relationship among price/quality. Furthermore, in existent plantations will be proved practices of pruning, thinning and sprouts handling, which will improve the forest productivity through the decrease of the rotation cycle and the increase of the quality of the wood. In the same way, the selection of individuals will permit the development of forests with excellent characteristics (plus trees), which will be reproduced vegetatively to be preserved in a clone bank and established in cloned experimental units.
Both actions ensure a good performance and competitiveness of the Chestnut tree business for those who invest in this option. This through the availability of forest plants, for the possibility of reproducing material with a first selection, and for the availability of adequate forest management techniques for the generation of quality timber.
Finally to achieve these objectives the project considers a Technological Transfer Program that will be applied contemporary with the project development. This will be possible because of the existence of a nursery net, as well as producers and forest operators associated to this proposal, which will benefit by means of the articulation between them and by the enhancement of the improved plant sales business in the short term.
The project has a 3 year-old duration, its cost it is of $305.203.000, which is assumed in a 20,76% for INFOR, and a 32,06% for the private associates.
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