PROVENANCE AND PROGENY VARIATION IN GROWTH AND FROST TOLERANCE OF CASUARINA-CUNNINGHAMIANA IN CALIFORNIA, USA

Field trials of Casuarina cunninghamiana, including 130 open-pollinate d families from 13 provenances in New South Wales, Australia, were est ablished in 1987 at five field sites in California, USA. Based on grow th and survival at 60 months after planting, significant genetic varia tion was observed both between and within provenances. Significant dif ferences among provenances were also observed in frost injury rating f ollowing the occurrence of mid-winter temperatures as low as - 13 degr ees C. The results of this study indicate that the growth and frost to lerance of C. cunninghamiana in California can be improved by proper c hoice of provenance and selection within provenances.