Seeks to improve the yield and quality through:-

• Controlled pollination.
• Breeding.
• Extensive provenance and progeny testing and selections.
• Reduction in rotation period.
• Improvement in stem form.
• Increase profitability for the forest industries.
• Introduce new species for both commercial and social forestry.
• Introduce latest propagation technologies.

Contribution of Tree Breeding Research to Climate Change Mitigation

The advent  of climate change has brought with it new challenges in tree improvement programs and as such Tree Breeders have been forced to shift their attention to tree species that are fast growing and can easily adapt to the changing environment. The major focus on tree improvement in Zimbabwe is mainly centered on exotic soft and hard woods namely the Pines and Eucalyptus species respectively. In response to this wake up call, the Tree Breeding Unit has embarked on a Breeding Programme to capacitate the forestry sector in light of climate change. In soft woods, the promising species are (P standing for pinus) – P maximinoii and P tecunumanii. These two species have shown great potential especially on growth rate and preliminary indications have shown that the two are outperforming P taeda, P elliottii and P oocarpa in their previously presumed niche areas. Research have shown that P tecunumanii, which is divided into two populations: high elevation population (>1500m.a.s.l) and low elevation population (<1500m.a.s.l), will soon prevent the monoculture of P patula in high altitude areas for the high elevation population and P elliottii and P oocarpa for the low elevation population. With climate change there is emergence of new pests and diseases as well as increased natural disturbances from native pests. To avoid catastrophic events on P patula which is the dominant species in the high altitude areas, P greggii, and P maximinoii were also introduced to reduce monoculture of P patula.
In addition to these fast-growing species, the unit is also working on P roxburghii for adaptability in low rainfall areas. Currently material for this species is coming from three provenances of the country with varying degree of aridness from where the species is showing average performance.
To augment these efforts, the unit is also working on Eucalyptus hybrids targeted mainly for the tobacco growing areas of the country. These have shown great potential in growth rate as well as adaptability. It is envisaged that this initiative will go a long way in providing fuel wood for curing tobacco without impacting negatively on the environment since they have a shorter growing period averaging five years from planting to harvesting. The hybrids are also suitable for plantation forestry and have an added advantage of reducing the rotation cycle due to their rapid growth rate.
Climate change has resulted in the large-scale movement of species and populations within species into climatic zones where they currently do not exist. The aim in tree improvement is to consider physiological adaptations of forest trees under various climate change scenarios. In this regard the Tree Breeding is emphasizing on breeding objectives of drought, disease and frost resistance in tree species. Breeding Eucalyptus hybrids is being conducted with the aim of providing suitable genotypes for planting in areas which are marginal for the parental species in terms of drought, frost and disease resistance.