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The Lower South East of South Australia covers an area stretching from Kingston in the west, through Naracoorte to the Victorian border in the east and to the coast in the South. Average annual rainfall is 600-850 mm. The region consists of a series of dunes, consisting mainly of deep sands or shallow soils to limestone. The sands are generally most suited to forestry. The inter-dunal flats have many different soils ranging from low sands to shallow rendzinas and vary in their suitability for forestry.  

Background

Opportunities exist for farm forestry in the Lower South East because the forest industry has been established in the region for over 100 years.  This has been dominated by radiata pine until the early 1990s when short rotation Tasmanian blue gum plantations were first established to produce woodchip for export.  More recently, other species have been trialled and established to produce sawlog and firewood.

Another aim of establishing forestry on farms in the Lower South East is to address land management issues such as:

• soil conservation,
• shade and shelter,
• habitat and aesthetics, and 
• salinity.

Landowners have many farm forestry options to choose from in terms of species or products that meet the objectives of their whole farm management plan. Table 1 ‘Key farm forestry species for Lower South East (SA)’ provides a list of species and details site suitability and potential products. 

Table 1. Key farm forestry species for Lower South East (SA)

Growing Trees

Growing trees successfully in plantations involves several steps:

• planning
• establishment
• management
• harvesting and marketing of the timber.

Planning

Planning should begin at least 12 months before planting.  This includes:

• seeking approval from local council (commercial forestry is a change of land use),
• determining firebreaks and setbacks from powerlines and fences,
• ensuring accessibility for machinery, fire suppression and log trucks,
• and determining roading requirements. 

Establishment

Site and species selection

Species selection for the proposed site is important to ensure the best survival and growth rate for the trees. Productivity will vary with soil type, soil depth, rainfall and the management practices used (pruning and thinning regimes). Species selection should also reflect the objectives of the grower.

Weed control

The most important factor in successful plantation establishment is good weed control. Weed control maximises the soil moisture available for the trees. Weeds that need particular attention include sorrel, brack­en, phalaris, veldt grass and flatweed. For more information refer to the Farm Forestry Spraying Fact Sheet available from PIRSA Forestry.

Cultivation

Recommendations for cultivation vary depending on the site and the species grown. Ripping is required if a rocky or hardpan layer occurs within a metre of the surface. Mounding is recommended for wet sites.

Planting

Planting takes place in winter (June or July). Eucalypt seedlings are planted using a Pottiputki planting tool (can plant about 3000 trees per day). Pine seedlings can be planted with a tractor-mounted planting machine or by hand. Seedlings can be ordered through PIRSA Forestry. Stocking rates of between 1000 – 1600 trees/ha are recommended, depending on the species and the growers objectives.

Management

Management includes:

• survival counts and refilling to maintain initial stocking;
• second-year weed control;
• fertiliser application if the site has a poor history and the trees show signs of deficiencies;
• regular monitoring for insect and browsing damage;
• annual maintenance of firebreaks;
• pruning of trees grown for sawlog and other specialty products;
• a thinning program to maintain growth of final crop trees. 

Harvesting and Marketing of Timber

The age that the trees are harvested will depend on the species grown and the intended product. For example, pines can be grown for pulp, posts and sawlog, with several thinnings followed by clearfelling at age 28 - 35. The first thinning will usually occur at 10 -12 years followed by further thinnings at 5 -7 year intervals.

As the time for harvesting approaches it will usually be necessary to construct access roads to allow harvesting equipment and log trucks to access the plantation.

Marketing of the timber is the responsibility of the grower but PIRSA Forestry is able to provide advice.  At present the only established markets are for radiata pine and Tasmanian blue gum.  For other species, the most profitable option is firewood and potentially sawlog or other specialty products.

If you are considering investing in trees or in establishing a plantation, please contact PIRSA Forestry for further information.

For further information contact PIRSA Forestry

Disclaimer: While this publication may be of assistance to you, the government of South Australia and its officers do not guarantee that it is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purpose. The Government therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any informa­tion in this publication.

Last Revised March 2007