Southern Tablelands Farm Forestry Network |
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STFFN newsletter - January / February 2001
Plantations and Reafforestation Act Code of Practice The Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) has released a draft Code of Practice under the Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 for public comment, from 11 December 2000 to 2 February 2001. The Code is supported by a number of documents – a Regulatory Impact Statement, Preliminary Guides for Timber Plantations and Environmental Plantings and a general brochure. The draft Code of Practice aims to streamline the slow and complicated application process that currently exists. The Code sets out standards for the establishment, management and harvesting of plantations, and for reafforestation, and includes procedures for:
Under the draft Code of Practice no authorisation is required for small-scale farm forestry plantations that are under 30 hectares, and that are exempt from development consent under the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997. However, the DLWC guide to the Code of Practice indicates that if growers choose to seek authorisation of their small farm forestry plantations they will receive harvest guarantee. Plantations that were previously accredited under the Timber Plantations (Harvest Guarantee) Regulation 1997 are exempt from obtaining authorisation under the new Code of Practice, for the current rotation. Several members of STFFN’s Management Committee attended a ‘road test’ of the Code at a field day at "Hopetoun Park" near Tumbarumba on the 9th January. Key elements of the draft Code were applied to site-specific scenarios involving plantation establishment, management and harvesting on private land. STFFN will prepare a submission to DLWC, providing members’ comments on the draft Code of Practice. It is important that every landowner with an interest in farm forestry use this opportunity to have their say on the draft Code of Practice. STFFN strongly urges each member to take the time to read the draft Code and the accompanying documents provided by DLWC, and to provide their comments and recommendations through STFFN, and/or through your own submission to DLWC. Graeme Mitchell, a Senior Policy Officer with the Plantations section of DLWC, will be attending the next STFFN Management Committee meeting to speak about the draft Code of Practice. All STFFN members are invited to attend. Copies of the draft Code of Practice can be obtained from your local DLWC office, or downloaded from the DLWC website: http://www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/veg/plantation/index.html Master Tree Grower Profiles Robin and Mike Freestone Robin and Mike Freestone own a 100 acre property north of Goulburn. The property was extensively cleared in the early 1990’s, prior to purchase, leaving about 10 acres of remnant vegetation consisting of stringbark, silvertop ash and scribbly gum. The topography is undulating with rocky outcrops, the soil is generally poor and the prevailing winds are westerly and often intense. The Freestones have committed to developing the property as a commercial radiata pine plantation. In the winter 2000 planting season the total plantation area was boosted to 25 acres, with seedlings being established at 1,000 stems per hectare. Each corner of the property has been planted, providing wind protection for a 30 acre area that will be pasture improved to carry cattle. In addition, planting the 4 corners was done to maximise the visibility of the plantation prior to getting development approval to increase the plantation area. Some nearly neighbours expressed opposition to pines and consequently, the existing ‘corner’ plantings shield the additional area to be planted from public view. Site preparation for the plantation involved deep ripping with a bulldozer and mounding with a modified mould board plough. The ripping was done on an east-west axis to reduce the chance of windthrow from the strong westerly winds. The newly established seedlings suffered some predation from hares, but were not affected by wallabies or kangaroos. Robin and Mike are now living full time on the property, which will allow them to actively manage the plantation for a high value sawlog product with maximum commercial return. The trees will be high pruned to 6.5 metres and commercially thinned to 300 stems per hectare under a 25 year rotation. The Freestones anticipate entering into an agreement with ACT Forests for the harvesting and marketing of the mature plantation. Robin and Mike propose to increase their plantation base to 50 acres, however, a decision on when to commence planting will be dependent on the regulatory environment that will exist with the introduction of the Plantations and Reafforestation Act. In the last issue of the Newsletter (November / December 2000) we introduced the sirex wasp (Sirex noctilio) and explained how it is one of the most destructive boring insects for Pinus radiata plantations. Regular monitoring for the presence of the wasp is essential as it can rapidly devastate plantations when conditions are favourable. In this issue we will discuss methods for detecting and monitoring sirex populations, and management of wasp populations if its presence is detected in your plantation. Monitoring Sirex populations Monitoring the distribution and level of infestation of sirex enables planning and implementation of appropriate management responses. There are 3 main methods of monitoring: trap trees, aerial surveys and ground surveys. In plantations where sirex is suspected but has not been detected, trap trees should be established at a sufficient number of locations to provide a representative sample of the area. Because sirex are attracted to pines that are under stress, trap trees are injected with herbicide which causes them to die slowly. The trap trees are examined in autumn or early winter for symptoms of sirex attack (see Part 1 article in Nov/Dec 2000 issue). Control techniques Two kinds of biological control agents are used to control sirex: the parasitic nematode (Deladenus siricidicola), and a number of parasitic wasps. The parasitic nematode is the most effective method for sirex control. The nematode initially infects the sirex larva while it is still in the tree. When the larva pupates into an adult female wasp the nematode then sterilises the wasp by entering all its eggs. The nematode-infected sirex then lays packets of nematodes instead of fertile eggs. The nematode is introduced to the plantation by injecting it into logs that have been cut from the infected trap trees. Once a significant proportion of the sirex population becomes infected with the nematode the sirex population will collapse. Four parasitic wasps have been imported and released for sirex control. The wasps lay their eggs or larvae in the sirex-infected trees, which then consume the sirex larvae. This control method does not usually kill more than 40% of the sirex population, and therefore alone is not considered sufficient to prevent sirex from reaching outbreak levels. For more information on the sirex wasp, monitoring for its presence and control of outbreaks, contact STFFN’s pine extension officer Rebecca Blundell on 02 6207 2540.
By Steve Thomas In last year’s September / October edition of the Newsletter I discussed the way I have gone about modifying ladders for pruning. In this article I will cover my views about other equipment needed to effectively prune trees. Safety The first essential item is a safety helmet. I prefer the type with a brim all the way round as it tends to direct the falling branch off the shoulders and ears. It needs to have a chin strap to ensure it stays on and I like a sun shield over the neck. These were advertised in a Safety catalogue inserted in a recent Grower. It is most unwise to prune without a hard hat as from time to time a high angle branch will fall in such a way as to act as an arrow. Such a branch will strike with some force. It is important to learn to drop your head and allow the branch to strike the helmet rather than to look up when this happens. For similar reasons it is desirable to wear strong boots. They need to be light in weight but have a stiff sole otherwise the rungs hurt ones feet. It is also a good idea to wear loose trousers when working off a ladder this allows one to have easy movement of the legs when holding on. It pays to tie them at the bottoms though. Some people like to wear overalls but I find I need more freedom of movement when up a tree. Polaroid sunglasses help as the sun is always in your eyes as you look up to work They also stop sap from getting in the eyes. It sometimes seems that the tree has spat sap in your eye in repayment for the injury inflicted on it. As one is looking up all the time sun screen is also a very good idea. Because of the sap and possible injury I always wear a pair of gloves. I now use a light weight pair of leather welders gauntlets as the extra length protects the wrist and lower arm. In some situations a high visibility vest may be required. Pruning is a quiet activity and others may not expect someone to be up a tree. Tools I have no doubt that the best pruners available at the present time are PRUN-OFF loppers made by TIMBERSAWS a New Zealand company. They can be obtained from ROGER BROWN who advertises in the GROWER. In this age of power tools the art of sharpening seems to have been lost but it is well worth spending some time with an oil stone learning how to sharpen the loppers. It makes a great deal of difference if they are really sharp. I use a combination fine/medium stone along with a diamond covered strip designed for sharpening knives. All parts of the loppers are regularly oiled with light oil so an oilcan is also needed. From time to time a saw is required to remove large or difficult branches. I use a Lotus saw, again made by TIMBERSAWS, which has a replaceable blade similar to a hacksaw. Some people prefer to carry a lighter curved pruning saw of the type which is pulled rather than pushed. All other green material must be removed from the stem and a fascicle knife is used for this. I have made a useful knife from a cut down pruning saw of the type mentioned above, with the teeth ground away. This gives a large handle and an effective tool for this annoying but essential task. It is distinctly adventageous to carry the loppers, saw and fascicle knife in a holder. I have made my own from leather but they can be purchased from ROGER BROWN. This leaves ones hands free to deal with the ladder. The only other thing I carry is a small container of water. This avoids the need to walk out just for a drink. This is no small matter as pruning is hard work and dehydration something to be avoided. With the right equipment and technique the pruning operation can be made considerably easier and perhaps even enjoyable. Looking back at the branches on the ground and the white cuts on the stems does give a feeling of accomplishment. It certainly beats going to a gym.
The Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP) was established in 1993 and is jointly funded by the Rural Industries, Land and Water Resources and Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporations (RIRDC, LWRRDC and FWPRDC). The main objective of JVAP is to integrate sustainable and productive agroforestry within Australian farming systems through research and development. JVAP has recently produced the first two publications in its new series on farm forestry. The ‘JVAP Research Update Series’ of publications is designed to provide land managers with a range of scientific knowledge on farm forestry, through JVAP’s strategic research and development projects. JVAP Research Update Series No.1: ‘Trees, Water and Salt: An Australian guide to using trees for healthy catchments and productive farms’ This publication is designed for land managers who are considering planting trees to address salinity. It aims to provide an understanding of the whole picture, from the hydrological behaviour of a catchment to the performance of a single tree in a paddock. The contents of the book provide:
JVAP Research Update Series No. 2: ‘Emerging products and services from trees in lower rainfall areas’ This booklet presents and overview of the JVAP pioneering research and development projects investigating new products and services for low rainfall farm forestry. Potential products and services being investigated include:
These publications are available from JVAP free of charge by calling 02 6272 3736. A number of other farm forestry publications are available for downloading from the JVAP website at: http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/aft.html
Canberra pine association formed From November/December 2000 issue of ‘National Forests & Timber’ newspaper Stakeholders in the pine timber industry in and around the Canberra region have joined together to form an industry association, which will be called the Canberra Softwood Industry Association (CSIA). The members of the association include forestry owners, logging contractors, sawmillers, treatment processors and a log exporter. Together they employ more than 370 people in the Canberra region. The members have selected Tony Esplin to be the inaugural chairman of the association. Mr Esplin said "the softwood industry is an important part of the ACT economy and in recent times many companies have been investing significantly to ensure the industry has a sustainable future." Mr Esplin indicated the new association will help the various stakeholders to understand each other's role and to work collectively on building a stronger local industry. "It will also help the members to keep abreast of changes in all aspects the softwood industry," Mr Esplin said. The purpose of this association is to allow the stakeholders to identify common issues and problems relating to the pine industry and to jointly address these issues. Some of the issues facing the industry at present include the rising cost of WorkCover premiums and the need to explore ways to assist each other to increase overall production yields. Mr Esplin said that "discussions among the members have indicated that what may be waste to one mill may be potential saleable product to another mill." The association will also make representation to the ACT Government on issues affecting its members. Mr Esplin indicated that the new association will be an efficient means for the local softwood industry to convey its collective views on various matters to the Government.
Extension of funding for STFFN Recently the Federal and New South Wales Governments negotiated an agreement to fund NSW Regional Plantation Committees for another two years. A condition of NSW funding is that the RPCs be attached to one of their Regional Development Boards under the NSW Department of State and Regional Development. In the case of STFFN, we will be attached to the Australian Capital Region Development Council (ACRDC). This is a positive move for STFFN as it means that funding for the Network has been secured for another two years, and stronger links will be established with the regional economy through our association with ACRDC. Under the new funding arrangements STFFN, as a Regional Plantation Committee, will remain essentially unchanged and will continue to serve its members as it has in the past – through the facilitation of field days, training programs, Natural Heritage Trust project management, newsletters, etc. The objectives of RPCs, under the agreement between State and Federal Government, are:
Draft "Best Operating Standards for Selection Harvesting of Private Native Forests", NSW DLWC. Some landholders on the Southern Tablelands with private native forests have been eagerly awaiting the release of the DLWC’s "Best Operating Standards for Selection Harvesting of Private Native Forests". This draft document has recently been released and is summarised below. Under the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997, development consent is required for some timber harvesting operations in private native forest in NSW. The operation standards developed by the DLWC aims to ensure the sustainability of forestry operations on private land, and to provide consistency in consent conditions. These standards will be subject to ongoing review as best practices continue to develop and operational methods change. The draft emphasises the importance of long and short term planning for achieving sustainability in forestry operations. Private native forestry applicants are required to submit an operational harvesting plan (short term plan) to the DLWC and a copy must be present on site during any forestry operation. The operational plan will be required to address all aspects of the operation, as well as ensuring that natural forest values will be maintained and enhanced. Operational plans will be assessed, taking into account whether there is likely to be any significant effect on threatened species, populations or ecological communities arising from the activities proposed in the plan. From this, additional measures may be required to adequately protect habitat. The development of a strategic plan (long term) is recommended to set overall objectives for the management of the forest area, thus providing a framework for individual operations. The draft outlines how sound silvicultural practices can be applied during harvesting to improve the health and vitality of a private native forest. Silvicultural objectives must include provision for regeneration and/or retention of healthy and vigorous trees for future growth. The silvicultural methods must be specified in the operational plan. The Southern Tablelands Farm Forestry Network, Greening Australia, NSW DLWC and State Forests NSW can provide detailed silvicultural principals for landholders wishing to sustainably harvest private native forests. To minimise land and water degradation and conserve biological conservation, strict rules are set out in the draft. Operation exclusion areas will be enforced to maintain the full range of forest values required for sustainable forest management. In the Southern Tablelands exclusion areas will include;
Drainage features will also be excluded from harvesting to maintain sediment filter strips. Forestry operations must be excluded by 5m either side of an unmapped drainage line, 10m either side of a mapped first order stream and 20m either side of a second or higher order stream. By maintaining relatively undisturbed vegetation alongside drainage features, sediment can be filtered before entering. These exclusion areas can also provide habitat corridors and connections to adjacent patches. The draft also discusses standards to ensure habitat management outside exclusion areas. These standards aim to maintain nesting and feeding resources and other habitat values across the harvested area. Standards relevant to the Southern Tablelands include;
The draft also details standards for the maintenance and development of new roads in commercial private native forests. Aims of these standards include, minimising the potential for erosion and water pollution, to ensure all roads are effectively drained at all times and to ensure drainage feature crossings on roads are constructed and maintained in such a way as to minimise water pollution. For instance, new roads in private native forests in the Southern Tablelands must not be constructed where ground slope exceeds 30o. Similar standards for log dumps and extraction tracks are also discussed, including that the location for log dumps must not be closer than 10m to a drainage feature, as well as snig tracks must not exceed 25o and downhill snigging must be minimised. For more information or a copy the draft ‘Best Operating Standards for Selection Harvesting of Private Native Forests’, contact the Dept of Land and Water Conservation in your local area or James Gray on (02) 6253 3035.
Property Management Planning Course Property management planning, or whole farm planning, enables a landowner to plan changes on the farm before implementing them. A good property management plan takes into account all aspects of the farm, from physical features (soil, vegetation, water, stock, etc) to financial and risk management planning, all of which should be considered when running a business. Property management planning aims to preserve land and natural systems, while improving the sustainability of productivity and ease of management. Property management plans enable a landowner to identify potential land capabilities, and to effectively plan for the establishment of timber plantations on their property. Under the new Plantations Code of Practice, currently being developed according to the Plantations and Reafforestation Act, a Plantation Plan is required for plantations needing authorisation under the Act. A property management plan will assist in the development of a Plantation Plan, as it is essentially an extension of the property management plan. STFFN will be running a property management planning workshop in March this year. A representative from ‘Farming for the Future’ will host the first part of the workshop, providing training on the development of a property management plan. This will be followed by a representative from the Department of Land and Water Conservation explaining the requirements for Plantation Plans under the Plantations and Reafforestation Code of Practice. If you are interested in attending this workshop please contact the STFFN Coordinator, David Whitfield, on 02 6207 2494. A date and venue is still to be arranged and will be dependent on the response from members.
From ‘Growing radiata Pine Sawlogs on Farms in NSW’, NSW State Forests Soil requirements for radiata pines Like most other crops radiata pine needs at least moderatley goos soil for growth. Steep, rugged land with shallow, infertile soils is not suitable. Soil Depth: The soil depth needs to be 40-50cm at least, over decomposed rock or clay pans. Clay subsoils are usually "deep ripped" to ensure root penetration. Drainage: Pines die in poorly drained soils. Heavy black clays, swampy areas and perched watertable areas caused by rock or impermeable clay layers are not suitable. Areas that become waterlogged in winter for a few months because of excessive clearing are often suitable if the seedlings are plantedon mounds. This seasonal waterloggin may be corrected by the trees after a few years. Soil water-holding capacity: Most soils are suitable. Deep sands, coarse granites, and gravels however produce poor trees because the soil does not store enough water for the summer requirements of the pines. Fertility: The best soils for growing radiata pine sawlogs are moderately fertile. Some low fertlity soils can be improved at reasonable cost. Trees grow very fast on high fertility soils, such as improved pasture sites on basalt soils, but tree form defects can occur. Things to do for January / February Pines:
Natives:
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