Southern Tablelands Farm Forestry Network |
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STFFN newsletter - November / December 2000
Sirex wasp is one of the most destructive boring insects for Pinus radiata plantations. Regular monitoring for the presence of sirex is essential, as it can rapidly devastate commercial plantings when favourable conditions cause a sudden increase in population levels. Favourable conditions include:
A sirex wasp can be distinguished by its lack of the typical narrow waist, which is common to other wasp species. The wasp deposits it eggs in holes it drills into the wood in summer or autumn. At the same time it deposits a toxic mucus and a symbiotic fungus into the holes with the eggs to weaken the host tree, therefore making a better environment for the eggs to hatch and the larvae to grow. As the fungus grows from the point where the eggs were layed, fungal stains appear in the cambium as long, narrow, brown bands along the grain. After 14 days the eggs hatch and the larvae begin tunneling through the wood, usually along the grain, leaving the tunnels packed with frass (chewed wood). The tunnels increase with size as the larvae grow, and the larvae then pupate in hollow chambers in the outer sapwood. Trees attacked by sirex begin to show conspicuous symptoms from April onwards, when the crown wilts and turns light green to yellow, then to reddish brown. Beads or dribbles of resin, resulting from wounds during egg laying, may be visible on the bark. Sirex emergence holes, generally 3-6 mm in diameter, are conclusive evidence of sirex attack. Well managed healthy plantations support only small populations of the wasp, and if there are no suitable host trees the outbreaks usually decline naturally. The following silvicultural practices help prevent sirex infestations:
Two kinds of biological agents are used to control sirex: the parasitic nematode (Deladenus siricidicola), which sterilise the adult female sirex by entering all her eggs, and; a number of parasitic wasps which lay their eggs down the drills of sirex wasps. References
STFFN Annual report 2000 - President's report Once again we have had a very successful year. Congratulations to Sophie, James and Rebecca for their work and support. As you know Sophie has moved on to further her career and we wish her all the best on the future. Sophie has been with us since the very beginning and has become synonymous with STFFN. At the same time we welcome David Whitfield, who has just begun as coordinator and we look forward to the same working relationship. The further directions of STFFN will be dictated by available funding and recommendations proposed at the annual meeting. We want all members to be involved and put forward any recommendation for the incoming committee to consider in 2001. Unfortunately some of our NHT applications, particularly concentrating on salinity, have been rejected. My comments on NHT have not changed since last year. I still feel the whole NHT funding scheme is somewhat a joke. However, despite funding, we look forward to a progressive 2001. K.M. Cooper President (ADVERTISEMENT) From time to time a publication comes along that is simply far too good to ignore. Piers Maclaren from the New Zealand Forest Research Institute (FRI) has prepared an outstanding package of information on measuring and valuing trees and forests. Most growers underestimate the financial importance of measurement; knowledge is the key to successful marketing and, ultimately, profitability. There is a tendency amongst private growers to neglect the measurement and valuation of commercial wood production, and instead to concentrate on how to grow trees. This is unfortunate, as the quantifying of what is available in the stand is just as important as any other aspect of forestry. Piers Maclaren, in his latest book "How much wood has your woodlot got?" provides the best reference on this topic that is currently available. The presentation of the material is, as usual from FRI, excellent. Diagrams and photographs are clear and are informative. The glossary is comprehensive and covers all technical terms used in the text. This combined with an easy to read index and a set of Appendices which includes tools to do the work such as a sample inventory form, random number table, grids and Student’s ‘t’ values makes it a practical package of considerable value to anyone who grows trees for profit. The nineteen chapters cover:
Worked examples are found throughout the book. They are enclosed in a box to set them off from the main text. Three fictitious case studies are used to set the worked examples in context; this is a very successful way of presenting the problem. One represents a 50 ha block another a 20 ha block and a third a 4.5 ha block. Copies are available from: Robyn Borough Forest Science Consultancy Pty Ltd PO Box 451 MAWSON ACT 2607 Australia Ph: 02 62867068 Fax: 02 62868846 email: crborough@one.net.au Price: $55 includes packaging & postage within Australia and GST. Hello to all STFFN members, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new STFFN Coordinator, and provide you with a brief summary of my background. I grew up on a grazing property near Taralga, where my parents run beef cattle. I studied a Bachelor of Science in Forestry at the Australian National University, and recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science at the University of Western Sydney. I have worked in a wide range of professions, including as a gardener in Canberra, a Senior Park Ranger in Sydney, and a NSW Police Officer in Queanbeyan. Prior to joining STFFN I worked as a forest research scientist with the Bureau of Rural Sciences in Canberra, providing scientific advice on issues such as Regional Forest Agreements, plantation development and forest wood products. My interest in farm forestry began when my family planted several hectares of radiata pine on our Taralga property to provide shelter from the harsh winds on the Southern Tablelands, and to replace the trees that had been removed from the landscape several generations ago. I believe that trees on farms have an important role to play in modern agriculture, with the potential to provide commercial and environmental benefits to farmers and landholders. I have been inspired by STFFN’s capacity to effectively promote the multiple benefits of farm forestry within the region, and I am looking forward to working closely with the Network. Yours sincerely, David Whitfield
Do you want to learn more about Landcare? Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Australian environment, its problems and why it is so unique? The Illawarra Institute of Technology, Verner St Goulburn will be offering a range of courses in 2001 for anyone interested in learning more about environmental issues. At Goulburn you will have three courses to choose from. Landcare Studies This one semester course will be offered on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 pm commencing on Monday 12 February. In this course you will learn:
There will be three Saturday field trips during the course. Natural Resource Management Diploma This two year course will give you a thorough grounding in environmental science. It is a very practical course and is designed for those who would like to be employed in: forest, park and catchment management, local government environment recreation and conservation areas, landcare, land rehabilitation and hydrology. The course is offered for three days per week and you can study on a full or part-time basis. If you wish to go on to further study you can gain 18 months advanced standing at both Charles Sturt University and the University of New England. Environmental Studies If the Natural Resource Management Diploma seems too daunting you might be interested in the Environmental Studies course It enables you to select up to two hundred hours of modules per semester that might interest you from the Natural Resource Management Diploma. There are no formal education requirements and you could study Wildlife Management, Ecology, Plant and Animal Identification, Silviculture, Cultural Resource Management or any of the other 30 or so modules offered in the Diploma. If you complete the assessments for these modules you gain advanced standing in the Diploma of Natural Resource Management should you wish to do further study. The fees for Landcare and Environmental Studies are $110 per semester and $630 per year for the Natural Resource Management Diploma. If you are interested in any of these courses you can ring Rob Lance on 48231851 for more information.
What to do November / December PINES
NATIVES
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