Cold-tolerant Eucalypts: results of four trials in Lesotho

Four trials covering sixty two seed lots of twenty two species of cold-tolerant Eucalyptus species were established between 1979 and 1982 and were assessed in late 1990 and early 1991. The results were compared with those at five years and with the results from other countries with similar climates. Those species most suited to the lowlands were E. nitens, E. stellulata, E. rubida, E. macarthurii and E. glaucescens. Unfortunately none of the trials were established in the foothills but E. nitens and E. stellulata are known to grow particularly well in this zone. Severe frosts in the mountains reduce survival of E. nitens to unacceptably low levels. In the mountains Tasmanian E. viminalis, E. nova-anglica, E. stellulata and E. dalrympleana have shown good growth and survival.