Eucalyptys trees at Aracruz

Aracruz began planting eucalyptus plantations at the end of the 1960's using seeds from the Rio Claro Forest Nursery (SP). At that time, four species were considered appropriate for the area: Eucalyptus grandis, E. saligna, E. urophylla, and E. alba.

Since these plantations were planted using seedlings not specifically prepared for the area, the eucalyptus trees varied considerably in growth rates and form. The formation of canker (a disease caused by the fungus Chrysoporthe cubensis) made the use of some species unfeasible, especially E. saligna.

To obtain better trees for the specific area, in 1973 the company’s technicians set up a genetic improvement program. The first step was to introduce 55 different eucalyptus species coming from their countries of origin. The trees from these seedlings were evaluated and it was determined that the species E. grandis and E. urophylla, and hybrids of these two species, had the greatest potential due to their tolerance for canker, fast growth, and good adaptation to the pulp production process. New introductions of these species were made over the following years.

By the 1980's, Aracruz was producing enhanced seeds, both for its own use and for sale to other companies, contributing to the successful development of the Brazilian eucalyptus crop. This was followed by the introduction of cloning (a technique that creates genetically identical plants). Cloning is not restricted to eucalyptus. Crops as cassava, sugarcane, coffee, cocoa, potatoes, bananas, etc. are propagated using this tool.

Many superior trees were created, both as a result of the improvement program and the use of cloning. The result: cloned forests offered significant gains in productivity, uniformity, and wood quality, giving the company an outstanding position on the world market. Aracruz uses a group of clones in its plantations. These clones are frequently replaced to ensure sufficient genetic diversity and to reduce the probability of pests and diseases.

Today, various genetic enhancement methods are used for creating advanced generations of E. grandis and E. urophylla and their hybrids. Other types of hybrids, involving different species, have also been developed in an effort to improve wood quality for pulp production. Those techniques involve the selection of plants with better performance and crossing them during successive generations.

In addition, Aracruz constantly works on methods to boost plantation productivity. Thanks to continuous pro-CLEAN TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS LEAD THE SEARCH FOR INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE gress, the land now used to supply its pulp mills is one-half the area that would have been necessary 40 years ago when forest productivity levels were much lower.

Another factor to ensure biological balance is the conservation of native forests which are intermixed with eucalyptus plantations. This "mosaic" model can be seen from the air. With a preserve of 180,000 hectares of native reserves interacting in harmony with 300,000 hectares of eucalyptus plantation, Aracruz maintains more than a hectare of native reserves for each two hectares of eucalyptus, living together and interacting in harmony.