Second Rotation Tasmanian Blue Gum Management

With funding from the National Heritage Trust, PIRSA Forestry established the project 'Sustainability of Eucalyptus globulus Farm Forestry Plantations'. This project aims to examine the second rotation productivity using both coppice management and a range of second-rotation establishment techniques in the Green Triangle region. Tasmanian blue gum has the ability to coppice readily and many growers are expecting to manage regrowth of plantations using coppice.

 

The second-rotation productivity is starting to be quantified between sites with coppice management and replanted sites. PIRSA Forestry monitors a number of plantations where plots were measured during the first rotation. These same plots are being remeasured in both replanted and coppiced second rotation plantations.

 

Early trials indicate that productivity of managed coppice is comparable to re-establishing with seedlings, however both methods coppice management and re-establishing with seedlings requires sound management.

 

Project activities are:

  • Various demonstration sites for coppice management and testing of second rotation establishment techniques have been established. There are 10 sites.
  • The replant areas have been re-establishment with seedlings.
  • Coppice management areas have been thinned down to a single stem per stump.
  • Plots continue to be measured to compare first and second rotation productivity on the wide range of sites.
  • Provided information on management of harvesting operations, coppice management and replanting to farmers and other plantation managers.
  • Developed a fact sheet detailing the options for second rotation management of Tasmanian blue gum.

 

A report will be drafted comparing the productivity from first rotation with the second rotation productivity. A comparison between the productivity of replanted areas and coppiced managed areas within the same site will be included.

 

For further information please contact PIRSA Forestry

 

Last Revised January 2007