Cambial samples have been collected monthly since June 1995, and sectioning is taking place to measure cell numbers in each radial file, and to relate cell production rates to rates of tree diameter enlargement under the various conditions. Increment cores will be analysed by SilviScan. Other effects on brightness, roughness, porosity and specific refining energy, fibre length, and chip density were noted. Program 1.3 has the task of producing fibre supply models based on physiological, including silvicultural and economic analyses, including results derived from Programs 1.1 and 1.2. The economic model of fibre supply will be tackled towards the end of the current CRC program, but work on a process-based physiological model of cambial activity has commenced.
Future work involves adaptation of the model to hardwoods.