As Bluegum plantations around the state mature and are harvested, many landholders are facing some serious decisions.  Will they "go round again" plant a different species? manage coppice? replant? remove? return to grazing land? return to cropping land?

SWAN is hosting a field day on 6th May to look at some of these issues.  A large area of bluegums on land leased by WAPRES on Wirring Road has been harvested and subdivided.  The various owners have different priorities and have followed different paths which makes it an ideal setting for sharing ideas.

Some of the stumps have been mulched, some burnt and pulled out, some coppice has been killed off with herbicide with the slash pushed up into winrows for burning and some has been left to grow. Four of the landholders have generously offered to share their stories.

In addition to these topics, we will also have Jess Beckerling talking about the "Forests For Life" Programme, WAPRES talking about their bluegum management and  Blackwood Basin Group's "pine for timber and cockatoos" initiative.   Contact Richard Moore for details, mob. 0429 926 731 or email. [email protected]. 

From 5.30pm on 2nd March in Manjimup you can hear from local farm forestry and Landcare experts and get involved in a discussion being led by the West Australian Forest Alliance (WAFA) to help increase the amount of timber being grown on farmland and sustainably managed plantations. 

Speakers include Jess Beckerling - WAFA, Duncan Beggs SWAN, Julian Sharp - Warren Catchment Council, Keith Bradby - Gondwana Link and Wayne Webb - Wadandi Elder..

Under the FORESTS FOR LIFE plan, 50 million trees will be grown over 40,000 hectares to yield 450,000 - 600,000 cubic metres of high quality structural or appearance grade sawlogs per year.

These high value timber trees will be grown across in the South West and Great Southern in association with existing farm and food production.  Two regions extending 90kms from Manjimup and Albany have been suggested for the project.

They have identified 4 Eastern states eucalypts that could be suitable alternatives for local hardwoods, Sydney Bluegum, Red Ironbark, Sugar Gum and Spotted Gum.  In addition to the Eucalypts they have acknowledged the need to plant 30 million pine (Pinaster and Radiata) trees

The plan includes an ambitious Landcare proposal to improve water quality, manage salinity and provide wildlife habitat. The plan has been developed in close consultation with local experts and would bring multiple benefits to farmers and the region. It could also generate up to 940 new jobs in the timber industry.

The WA Forest Alliance and Warren Catchment Council are excited to be hosting this forum in Manjimup as we take another step towards bringing the Forests For Life farm forestry and Landcare vision to life.  

The proposal has attracted widespread and enthusiastic backing and is moving into more detailed planning and preparation. Register your interest now through Facebook or with Jess Beckerling, Convener,  WA Forest Alliance 0488 777 592

(Photo below shows the turnout in Margaret River on 16th February)

Anyone who has been around the timber industry for any length of time can see that the sawmills are having to process much smaller logs than they used to. Using existing equipment and methods leads to a higher proportion of waste as there is less useable wood per log.  Across the world there is a move to engineered or laminated timber products to get more out of each tree felled.

There are a whole range of new products that combine the structural strength and beauty of the native timber but can be created from the lower grade logs that would have previously gone for wood chipping.  Diane Evers brought this sample from Inglewood Joinery to the Forests For Life presentation in Margaret River. 

Laminated Veneer Lumber is a stack of veneer sheets stuck together with adhesives. When compressed into a large block (billet) and dried it can be even stronger than the natural timber. The blocks can be up to 1.2 metres square and can be sawn in a variety of ways to produce different patterns on the final product.

The positives are that it is a more efficient use of the low quality material, veneers can still contain the marks of knots and vein but be structurally sound, it is expanding the use of rotary log peeling already used for laminates and veneers and has a lower carbon footprint than the alternative of manufacturing steel and plastic.

The negatives are using artificial adhesives and that the process is not widely available in Australia so logs are shipped overseas and returned as the processed product.

Tasmania has been leading the field with the Forestry Tasmania Hardlam operation. www.hardlam.com.au

Recent statements from all sides of the timber industry show that there is going to be an increased interest in private plantations.  SWAN and AFG already field inquiries from people interested in specific types of timber highlighting a need to manage this information.

SWAN can provide a benefit to growers across the southwest by co-ordinating a register of timber assets on private land.  This would mean that any opportunities for new markets could be matched with the register to ensure that any available timber is utilised.

At the last executive meeting, the committee agreed to offer this service and the required systems are being designed.

If you are paid up a financial member of AFG, this will be included in your member benefits, but to ensure it becomes a viable initiative we would also like to extend the register to include any timber growers for a small annual fee.

More details will be provided in the April newsletter when the payment portal and database are set up and tested.  Please contact Richard with any feedback or suggestions for this initiative, mobile 0429 926 731 or email. [email protected] 

If you are interested in using trees on your property, the Australian Master TreeGrower course gives you skills and contacts to meet your particular interests and circumstances.

The program is flexible and will be adapted to suit the interests of participants. The approach is non-prescriptive as it is recognized that everyone’s situation is unique.  DAY 1 is FREE - but RSVP required for catering

What: An 8-day course for landowners using trees for conservation and profit.
When:  Day 1 Friday 28 July.  Continues Fri every fortnight.  9am - 4pm.
Where: Northam (venue to be confirmed)
Cost:   $200 (ex GST) - a contribution to food & materials
Food:  Lunches and morning/afternoon teas provided.
Gear:  Paid-up participants receive a MTG hat, MTG gate sign, tree measuring tape, course notes, certificate and more.

Format (it’s not your usual course):

• Morning presentations by experienced landowners, industry members and recognized experts covering topics of interest to participants.  
• Afternoon tours to inspect and learn from local examples of trees and revegetation being managed by landowners.  Tours include hands-on activities.

For more information or to register contact Richard Moore; mob. 0429 926 731 or email. [email protected]

1. Fri 28 July
   Introduction, multi-purpose tree growing, field visit to local examples
2. Sat 29 July
   Markets for tree products, environmental services from trees, field tour
3. Fri 11 August
   Tree and forest measurement, field exercise
4. Sat 12 August
   Tree establishment, growth and management, field visit to local examples
5. Fri 25 August
   Integrating trees with farming – local examples
6. Sat 26 August
   SW Agroforestry Network field day, managing native bush and more
7. Fri 8 September
   Integrating trees into rural landscapes, trees for aesthetics
8. Sat 9 September
   Economic aspects of tree growing, partners in trees and revegetation

This is a two-day course presented by Rowan Reid (Bach. Forest Sci., Masters Forest Science) on his Bambra Agroforestry Farm

10am Saturday 6th May through to 4.00pm Sunday 7th May

On the first day there is an introductory presentation on wood quality and a tour of the Bambra Agroforestry Farm to inspect wide range of native and exotic timber species.

The second day will focus on harvesting and processing the timber including a demonstration of selective harvesting using chainsaw and tractor PTO-driven logging winch, classroom presentation on small scale sawmilling including quartersawing and backsawing patterns and a presentation on timber seasoning.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to discuss your needs and interests.

More details here or book online now.

In the December 2016 South West Regional Landcare Facilitator e-News, Monica Durcan wrote a short piece about a Direct Seeding field day held in West Arthur in November. 
  
The South West RLF Programme partnered with the SWCC Biodiversity and Refugia Linkages Programme to deliver this important two-day training at the property of Dr Woodall in West Arthur.

Dr Geoff Woodall has been responsible for the development of direct seeding machinery and techniques suitable for all conditions and soil types and is always willing to share his knowledge.

He published a report in 2010 (ISBN: 978-1-74254-034-4) for Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) about improving the practice of direct sowing Australian native plants into agricultural landscapes. Australia requires more robust and lower cost methods of establishing woody perennials into an increasingly arid agricultural landscape.

This low-cost method of establishing large areas of revegetation for a range of outcomes from biodiversity to commercial plantings does not replace the need for nursery-grown seedlings, but acts as a supplement to allow for larger areas to be revegetated and at a lower cost per hectare.

In Scotland....

Consensus may be emerging about the need to think long-term about forestry to match the natural cycle of the trees. There is broad support amongst environmental and conservation groups for more tree planting, as long as it targets ‘the right tree in the right place’.

A report by former ­Scottish ­Government Chief Planner Jim Mackinnon was referred to by a number of Scottish Parliamentarians as they debated forestry on 24 January. The debate followed an announcement by Roseanna Cunningham that forestry had a big part to play in meeting Scotland’s ambitious climate change ­targets – the current tree planting target of 10,000 hectares a year (about 22 million trees) would rise to 15,000 hectares (33 million trees) by 2024-25. Scotland has not hit its current targets.

The sector needs to explain modern forestry. It is not the monoculture blocks of Sitka spruce planted in the 70s and 80s. Modern forestry is designed to sit well in its setting and benefit people and wildlife, with buffer zones, open spaces, mixed species, access paths and more. Much of the opposition to planting trees is based on outdated views of forestry and a lack of appreciation of the benefits to society.

There is also an opportunity for sheep farmers who could benefit from planting some trees on their land – something made more difficult by the Common Agricultural Policy. Leaving the EU may provide the opportunity for farmers to enter into a practice common elsewhere in Europe–farm forestry.  Read more....

In Ireland....

Young Farmers group (Macra na Feirme) is concerned about the current afforestation programme and questions the potential bubble being created by the current levels of grants available.  Macra does not oppose forestry but believes the incentives being offered are not sustainable as they are providing unwarranted competition for land across the country The young farmers’ organisation believes that greater demand for land suitable for afforestation is driving up the price of land.

Macra is also concerned that those who are afforesting their land are not being properly informed that once land is afforested it cannot realistically ever be returned to agricultural use, as there is a requirement to replant.

"Agro-forestry is something which needs to be investigated further, it can deliver economically for farmers and could help address the climate challenges we face. Every farm has a portion of land which could be used for this." Macra Agri-Affairs Vice Chairman Thomas Duffy said.

In Malawi...

Malawi’s department of forestry has been cooperating with the army in a desperate bid to stem the illegal logging that is depleting the country’s forests at a rate of 2.8% per year.  Surging demand for charcoal in Malawi’s cities is the prime driver of deforestation.

Under Malawi’s National Forestry Act, businesses are permitted to harvest trees if they then plant indigenous species to offset the loss. But in the 20 years since the law was passed, only one commercial licence for sustainable charcoal production has been issued.

Across the country, women are being trained to make different types of energy efficient clay stoves to replace the traditional three-stone fire. “A 40kg  bundle of firewood used to last only three days; now the same size bundle lasts two weeks,” mother of six Astina Nikina, says.

In the US...

A new way of measuring deforestation “forest attrition distance,” reflects a particular type of forest loss: the removal of isolated forest patches. When these patches are lost adjacent forests become farther apart, potentially affecting biodiversity, soil erosion, local climate and other conditions.

The authors calculated the change in total forest cover in the US from 1992 to 2001, and found a loss of 3 percent or 35,000 square miles but over the same time period, forest attrition distance increased by 14 percent. Read more...

In Ukraine...

​Foresters take great pride in regenerating forests, helping protect the environment and providing firewood for the local population. Oleksandr, a forester from Pishchane forest in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, has photos from the 1920s which show foresters planting young pine seedlings. One of these is his grandfather, who also worked in the Luhansk region. Local forests protect agricultural land from the dry winds that used to raise sandstorms.

When the armed conflict broke out in 2014, thousands of hectares of forest burned and shells in the forest made it dangerous to reach the fires. According to preliminary 2014–2015 estimates, at least half of the 30,000 hectares of forest suffered damage.  A Red Cross programme, that also creates jobs and clears landmines, has become the first step towards restoring forests. The ICRC pays to have dry and burned trees cut and processed for firewood, which is distributed to the population free of charge.  Read more...

In Abu Dhabi..

The forests of Abu Dhabi are irrigated with 214 million cubic metres of water each year. This water is made up of 80 per cent groundwater and 20 per cent treated sewage effluent and desalinated water. They are extracting groundwater at more than 20 times the volume that is recharged annually leading to a rapid depletion of aquifers. 

In 2014, the Environment Agency established a research programme with the government of New Zealand and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture to study the water requirements of date palm and other native species. It was assumed that forest trees required more water in summer and so irrigation was increased. However, research showed that for some species such as ghaf and sider, higher summer temperatures caused the trees to lose their leaves and adopt a near dormant state, which means they require less water. Read more...

​In Eastern Africa....

An agroforestry project to improve food security and small-holder farmers’ livelihoods in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda has been launched by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). The project is in its second phase following the winding down of the first phase implemented since 2012, under funding from Australian Centre for International Research (ACIAR). Tony Bartlett, ACIAR forestry research programme manager said the project would help Rwanda scale up locally appropriate agro-forestry systems.

“We are conducting research to understand the interactions between crops and trees grown by farmers. We are also working out how to effectively get information about agro-forestry systems communicated to farmers in those districts, to help them make decisions about adapting these agro-forestry systems,” he said last week. He added that they have centres in two locations where farmers can go and learn how to propagate tree seedlings, understand what they need to do to manage the trees on their farms in order to get the best outcomes to support their livelihoods.  Read more...

In Nepal

Advising a community forest user group that had a dense pole size plantation forest of Utis,  Dr. Hemant R Ojha,(an expert on forest governance associated with the University of New South Wales) assessed the forest density. He suggested the group cut several trees (heavy thinning) so that there was enough growing space for the remaining trees. The community leaders did not accept his advice. They said, “If we cut so many trees this year, we will not have enough to cut next year, and this will create the problem of fuelwood shortage in our community. So we will cut only a few poles this year so that we will have some left for several years.”
 
Dr Ojha's view was rooted in the generic principle of silviculture learned at university- when there are too many trees, they cannot grow well, and timber yield will be compromised. He was imposing a timber production goal, while villagers had a mix of timber and fuelwood objectives.  

The villagers were careful in ensuring a steady supply of fuelwood over time, and were happy to trade off some quality and quantity of timber to be produced at the end.  Their strategy reflected a delicate balance of intermediate fuelwood needs and ultimate timber demand. In silviculture, there is also a principle that enhances firewood production. However, the community strategy fits neither with timber and firewood silviculture. Read More...

Don't forget to like the SWAN Facebook page for regular updates on forestry and timber topics. I will include a selection of the more popular stories in the newsletter every couple of months.

Musa Agri is doing his bit to promote West Australian timber by turning mill ends and other waste from saw mills into spoons, platters and tables. I took this photo at the Busselton Markets. He uses Jarrah, Marri and Sheoak...hence the name 3Woods Designs.

His love and passion for woodworking has travelled with him since his childhood in Sudan, where his uncle had a woodworking shop. He taught him at a young age how to use tools such as handsaws and planes.

"....When I moved from Sudan to Western Australia, I changed careers and worked as a mining laboratory technician for seven years in Kakadu National Park, northern Australia.

It wasn’t until I moved to the South West of Western Australia that I discovered this area’s unique and beautiful timbers. I particularly fell in love with three types of wood — jarrah, sheoak and marri." 

"..Into our 7 month without meaningful rain, and heatwaves from November on, and the swales aren't looking too bad."  Bee Winfield 

Here is a list of stock fodder trees we have planted on swales. So acacias and tagasastes are interspersed with the long term trees. Fodder species include tagasaste, bamboo, carob, oak, sheoak, comfrey, saltbush, honeysuckle, coprosma, willow, poplar, ash, mulberry, grape, fig, apple, stone fruit, ivy, kurrajongs ACACIA microbotrya ( Manna wattle) Mulga ( acacia Aneura) ACACIA saligna , Wilga (Geijera parviflora,) Belts of trees not only provide high quality browse but shade and shelter, salinity and erosion control, clean air and water in the landscape . Oh and timber trees might be handy in the future too..."
http://merribeeorganicfarm.blogspot.com.au/20…/…/swales.html

(Photo shows B​ee Winfield's swales with browse planting)

​A recent story in the Busselton Dunsborough Times outlined a proposal for the old Ludlow Forestry Mill and Settlement

"...I wanted to turn the mill into a forestry and timber interactive centre and museum, make space available for volunteer and education groups and down the track there could be opportunities for a cafe.” said Peter Keynes (grandson of Dick Perry one of the very first forestry apprentices in Ludlow in 1917).
​
A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman said the department was liaising with the State Heritage Office on options for the future protection and management of Ludlow Forestry Mill and Settlement.

Pine woodchips wanted

WESPINE have a woodchip boat arriving in June. If there are any pine growers who want their plantation thinned, please get in touch with SWAN [email protected] or Brad Barr at Wespine ​[email protected] 

Woodmizer for sale

Woodmizer LT40 Super Hydraulic, with 500 hrs. Price $44K. Geoff North
North Native Hardwoods Mob: 0420102184 or Email: [email protected]

Register Now:  Farm Forestry and Landcare Forum

Manjimup Town Hall Thursday 2nd March 5:30 - 7:30pm 

Presentations by: 
Wayne Webb - Pibulmun Wadandi Elder and Custodian
Duncan Beggs – South West Agroforestry Network
Julian Sharp – Warren Catchment Council
Keith Bradby – Gondwana Link
Jess Beckerling – WA Forest Alliance
Dan Wildy – Landholder’s perspective: benefits and practicalities