Research Projects at Gumeracha

Kersbrook Eucalyptus cladocalyx Seed Production Area

The Kersbrook Seed Production Area (SPA) was established in 1992 for the purpose of producing improved seed. However only provenances were recorded when collecting seed for the area and not parent tree locations, so this area can only be used as a seed production area and not as a seed orchard. From recently established (2003) genetic gains trials through the Australian Low Rainfall Tree Improvement Group (ALRTIG). It has been proven that seed from this seed production area produces trees with better form and growth compared to other currently available seed sources.

The Kersbrook Seed Production Area comprises 5 natural South Australian provenances from Wirrabara, Wilmington, Wanilla, Flinders Chase National Park – Kangaroo Island and Wirrabara Forest Reserve. The Seed Production area is 0.28 ha in size. Provenances were replicated 91 times and were planted 2.5m apart in 2.5m wide rows. The design of the planting was used to avoid planting the same provenance next to one another. The seed production area is currently standing at 37 trees down from 455. The remaining trees will be cut to promote vigorous branching through coppice and to increase seed quantity, even pollination and seed collection efficiency.

Kersbrook Farm Forestry Arboretum

The Kersbrook Farm Forestry Arboretum was planted in 1997 and contains a collection of 40 different tree species and provenances within 100 plots. The trees were chosen for their growth potential and timber qualities in the Mount Lofty Ranges region.
The sizes of individual plots are 7.5m x 12.5m. Each plot is 2 rows wide, spaced 2.5m apart. Four trees are planted on each row, spaced 2.5m apart. Each plot is separated by 5m, or one blank row. Where more than one provenance of a species is involved, 3 plots of each provenance were planted.  

A timber-belt was also established to demonstrate the use of farm forestry species as a shelter belt design.

Work to establish Kersbrook Arboretum walking trail commenced in 2006. The trail was completed in 2008 and includes boardwalks and bridges over watercourses, interpretive signs, plot markers, and trail headers at the start of the walking trail.

Gumeracha Climate Change Trails A, B and C

The Gumeracha climate change trials were established in 1992 and were established over 3 sites within the Gumeracha Farm Forestry area. These trials are aimed at observing changes in yield, vigor and fecundity with respect to climate change. Species and seed sources that have originated from climates that South Australia is expected to change to are anticipated to perform better over time.

Trial A tests 39 different seed sources collected from across Australia. The design of this trial employs a group system with 13 trees per plot The aim is to retain 1 or 2 final crop trees per group for a final stocking of 80 - 160 trees/ha. Plots are 11m X 11m, and were generally replicated 8 times for each seed source. This trial spans over 3.6 hectares.

Trial B trial tests 46 different seed sources from across Australia. The seedlings were planted at close spacing, 1.5m X 1.5m in 30m X 30m (0.09ha) plots of 400 trees. This trial spans over 4.22 hectares.

Trial C includes the same seed sources as EM112B however half of this was planted at 1.5m X 1.5m spacing’s and the remaining half at 3.0m X 3.0m spacing’s. This trial area covers 5.7 hectares.

South Australian Farm Tree Improvement Project

The South Australian Farm Tree Improvement Project was established in 1992 to assess the suitability of various seed sources for a number of tree species and site types. A number of trials were set up across South Australia; these sites include the Mid North, Murray Mallee, South East and the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Gumeracha has 7 species and provenance trials which are part of the South Australian Farm Tree Improvement Project. These Trials consist of mixed eucalypt plantings along with provenance trials of Eucalyptus cladocalyx, Eucalyptus globulus, Grevillia robusta, Acacia melanoxylon and Robinia pseudoacacia.