Growing Trees in the Upper Sth East of SA

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Forestry Fact Sheet No 9

The Upper South East of South Australia covers an area stretching from Salt Creek in the west, Culburra to the north, across to the Victorian border, and to Naracoorte in the South. Average annual rainfall is 450-600 mm. Soil types are predominantly deep sand dunal rises with flats ranging from sandy loams in the north to black rendzinas in the west.

Background

Currently the main forestry species grown in the Upper South East is radiata pine in support of the long established industry in the region. About 3000 ha has been planted on farms in the Upper South East since the mid 1990’s, and some plantations have been growing successfully in the area for 20 years. More recently, other species have been trialled and established to produce sawlog and firewood.

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

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

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 Upper South East (SA)’ provides a list of species and details site suitability and potential products.

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

Species

Common Name

Details

Pinus radiata

Radiata/Monterey Pine

Prefers sandy loam over clay. Use: construction, posts, pulp & furniture

Pinus pinaster

Maritime Pine

Grows on deep sands. Use: pulp & sawlog

Pinus brutia

Brutian Pine

Grows on alkaline or heavy soils. Use: pulp & sawlog

Eucalyptus cladocalyx

Sugar Gum

Grows well on drier sites with heavier soils, ironstone gravels & deep sands. Frost sensitive. Uses: firewood, furniture, flooring & posts.

Eucalyptus occidentalis

Flat-topped Yate

Will grow on many soil types & tolerant of poor drainage, drought & salt. Use: firewood, construction & posts.

Corymbia maculata

Spotted Gum

Prefers deep sands, gravels & loams. Frost sensitive in early years. Use: flooring, furniture & posts.

Eucalyptus saligna

Sydney Blue Gum

Prefers good, fertile soils but will grow on deep sands. Use: flooring, furniture & firewood.

Eucalyptus grandis

Flooded Gum

Prefers good, fertile soils but will grow on deep sands. Very attractive timber. Use: flooring, furniture & firewood.

Eucalyptus sideroxylon/ tricarpa

Ironbark

May grow successfully on shallower, heavier soils around Naracoorte & Bordertown. Use: sawlog & firewood

Eucalyptus viminalis spp cygnatensis

Rough Barked Manna Gum

Grows on sandier sites. Use: firewood

Casuarina and Allocasuarina

Sheoaks

Tolerant of saline and poorly drained sites. Use: furniture & firewood.


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;
  • 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 35-50. The first thinning will usually occur at 12-15 years followed by further thinnings at 8-10 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.

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