I am interested in establishing some trees on my property.  Where can I find some general information?

A few simple searches on the Internet (using search engines such as Google, Bing, or Ask) will reveal there is a plethora of information freely available.  PIRSA Forestry has a series of fact sheets on a range of general tree growing topics as well as others that are specific to South Australia (see http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index and Rural Solutions SA - http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/pirsa/more/factsheets/farm_forestry).  Other organisations such as Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Victoria (http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/forestry/publications) and Private Forests Tasmania (http://www.privateforests.tas.gov.au/) also have some excellent information sheets.  Further comprehensive farm forestry information can be found on the publications section of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) website: https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/, just click on the ‘Agroforestry & Farm Forestry’ tab.  There are also many quality published books such as “Farm Forestry in Southern Australia: A focus on clearwood production of specialty timbers”, by P.R. Bird, 2000, and “Farm trees for the Mount Lofty Ranges - A regional agroforestry handbook” by Peter Bulman, 1995.

I am going to plant some trees on my property.  Where can I find information on the best species to grow?

PIRSA Forestry’s publication section (http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index) has fact sheets on growing trees for different regions within SOUTH AUSTRALIA, which include suggestions on species.  For in depth information on many promising farm forestry species recommended reading includes “Trees for Farm Forestry – 22 Promising Species” by B. Clarke, I. McLeod & T. Vercoe which is available as a free download from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) website: https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/.  Other species-specific information can be found on the Internet via search engines such as Google, Bing, or Ask.

Where can I buy tree seedlings?

It is important to order tree seedlings well in advance, and best done in the year before planting. When ordering, you will need to consider the type of tree seedlings you require.  Pine seedlings produced from either seed or vegetative cuttings, can be bare rooted, with no soil attached, or containerised stock that come in soil or potting mix ‘plugs’.  Eucalypts and other hardwoods are usually grown as containerised seedlings.  When choosing between the types you should consider the level of genetic improvement, the ease of planting and cost along with availability.  Better genetic material will result in better plantation performance.  Such seed may come from proven superior native provenances, genetically improved seedling seed orchards, or clonal seed orchards from advanced breeding programs.

Nurseries may be found in the Yellow Pages under ‘Nurseries – Wholesale’ or on Internet business databases.  Local forestry companies may also be a point of contact as some have their own nurseries while others should be able to pass on contacts for nurseries they deal with. 

Do I have to inform someone if I wish to establish a plantation/woodlot?

In South Australia, commercial forestry (including farm forestry) is a change of land use that requires development approval from your local Council.  Development Applications are assessed against your local Council's Development Plan and a standard Development Application form can be obtained from them.  This is discussed further in the PIRSA Forestry fact sheet  “Guide to Plantation Planning” available on the websites publication section (http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index).  Planning SA has developed forestry specific development application guidelines “guide for applicants: Commercial Forestry (including Farm Forestry/Agroforestry)” available in the Development Application section - Guides for Applicants on their website (http://www.planning.sa.gov.au/).

Where can I find forestry contractors to cultivate a plantation site / plant seedlings / conduct spraying / conduct pruning?

There are many businesses that provide forestry specific services in established forestry regions, but they do not necessarily advertise their services due to the fact that many engage with forestry companies directly.  They may be found in the Yellow Pages under ‘Forestry Services &/or Consultants’ or ‘Farm contracting services’ or on Internet business databases.  It is worth contacting others in your area that have engaged contractors for similar jobs.  Local forestry companies may be able to pass on contractor contacts or contact your local regional plantation committee or grower organisation i.e. Australia Forest Growers (AFG) and Landcare etc.
 

Where can I find a professional forester to provide me with specialist information?

Professional forestry consultants can provide a range of forestry related services such as technical advice, mapping, management and coordination of operations, valuations, harvesting and marketing along with many other services.  They can be found in the Yellow Pages under ‘Forestry Services &/or Consultants’ or online at the Association of Consulting Foresters of Australia (ACFA) website (http://www.consultingforesters.org.au/) or the Institute of Foresters of Australia (http://www.forestry.org.au/) if they are members of these professionally recognised organisations

I would like my plantation harvested.  Where do I find information regarding harvesting and who would be interested in harvesting/purchasing my timber?

PIRSA Forestry has fact sheets on the specific topic of harvesting that provide general information related to harvesting South Australian commercial forestry species (see http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index).  The AFG Grower Magazine released an issue with a harvesting theme – Volume 29 issue 4 (Summer 2007) that provides some excellent articles on the topic.  This may be available from their national office (http://www.afg.asn.au/).

Generally most commercial forestry companies that are involved in harvesting may be interested in harvesting private plantations if they contain products that can processed and marketed and there is sufficient volume to make the operation financially viable.  There are also forestry brokers who can be engaged to organise harvesting and market the resulting timber.  Some timber mills engage with growers directly.  It is worth contacting other private growers in your area that have had their plantations harvested or your local regional plantation committee or grower organisation i.e. Australian Forest Growers (AFG) for contacts or simply by looking in the Yellow Pages under ‘Forestry Services &/or Consultants’, ‘Sawmillers’ and ‘Timber Logging’, or on Internet business databases or engaging a forestry consultant (see FAQ 6).

Where can I find information regarding forestry plantation insurance?

The Australian Forest Growers website (http://www.afg.asn.au/) contains information regarding the AFG plantation insurance scheme and explains what plantation insurance involves through two major plantation insurance brokers.  This information can be accessed via the insurance tab under services on their home page.

Alternatively it is recommended that you contact your current financial adviser and/or insurance broker to provide you with the latest information they have.

Where can I find out more information about growing plantations for ‘carbon sinks’?

Online carbon providers can be found at: http://www.carbonoffsetguide.com.au/

Carbon Sink Forests   A recent change to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 allows a land holder to claim a deduction for expenditure that is incurred for the establishment of trees in a carbon sink forest. This deduction is intended to encourage the establishment of carbon sink forests for the dedicated purpose of absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. To be eligible for this deduction certain conditions and criteria must be satisfied including:

• You must be carrying on a business;
• Your primary and principal purpose of establishing the trees is carbon sequestration by the trees.
• Cannot include the purposes of felling trees or for using them in commercial horticulture.
• The establishment of the trees must meet the requirements of the Environmental and Natural Resource Management Guidelines.
• You did not incur the expenditure under a managed investment scheme (MIS) or a forestry MIS; and
• The carbon sink forest displays certain characteristics such as:
• be at least 0.2 hectares in size
• trees are 2 metres or more in height
• the crown cover is at least 20% of the planting area
  

For carbon forests established between 1 July 2007 and 1 July 2012 you may be able to claim the total establishment costs upfront. From 1 July 2012 you can claim 7% of the total establishment costs per year over a 14 year period.  Further information on carbon sink forests can be viewed at the Australian Tax Office website: http://www.ato.gov.au/print.asp?doc=/content/00103282.htm.  The link to the Environmental and Natural Resource Management Guidelines is: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/land/tax-deduction.html
 

I was looking to camp, hire a hut or organise an event in Mount Crawford, Kuitpo or Wirrabara Forest Reserves.  Who do I contact?

Pine plantations and the surrounding native forests located near Kuitpo, Mount Crawford and Wirrabara are managed by ForestrySA.  These areas provide opportunities for the public to undertake activities such as camping, walking, mountain bike riding among others.  Contact a ForestrySA ranger to inquire about accessing these areas.  ForestrySA contact details are available on the Forest Recreation section of their website:  http://www.forestry.sa.gov.au/rec.stm.

A tree in my back yard is showing signs of insect attack/disease or dieback, who can I contact?

If you have a sick or damaged backyard tree it is best to contact your local arborist as they have been trained in identifying problems associated with trees and are best placed to give advice on how to rectify  the issue.

To find your local arborist (tree doctor), the best place to search is in the Yellow Pages or on Internet business databases. 

I would like information regarding converting forestry plantation sites to pasture?

There is information available via the Internet that discusses this topic.  The Department of Agriculture and Food, WA has produced a fact sheet “Resuming agriculture after a blue gum plantation” available from the publication section on their website (www.agric.wa.gov.au/).  Rural Delivery, New Zealand have also published a story detailing how The Selwyn Plantation Board Ltd undertook the process over large areas in New Zealand.  The story is titled “Converting Forestry Blocks to Pasture”, written in March 2006 and is available on their website (http://www.ruraldelivery.net.nz/).