Characterisation of wood quality of Eucalyptus nitens plantations and predictive models of density and stiffness with site and tree characteristics

•Density and stiffness of planted E. nitens depend more on tree than on site factors.•E. nitens density is influenced by tree size, temperature, and precipitation extremes.•E. nitens stiffness depends on tree slenderness, height, density and site variables.•Predictive models of the two properties are developed at the tree and site level.•The models can be used for plantations management and harvesting for timber products.