A two hectare block of specially selected eucalypt trees is being planted in Marlborough.
It's the latest development in the New Zealand Drylands Forests programme - a long-running project to provide a domestic source of timber as an alternative to imported hardwoods and treated pine.
New Zealand currently imports $270 million worth of hardwood timber per year.
Project leader Paul Millen says the initial focus is on providing durable hardwood posts to replace treated pine posts in vineyards.
The Agricultural and Marketing Research & Development Trust has provided $80,000 for the project.
It is making another application to MAF's sustainable farming fund, after missing out last yea
