RESOURCES
EXTERNAL
LINKS
Agroforestry
News
web site including downloads of past editions
Australian Master TreeGrower Program
Free agroforestry publications and videos online
FORESTRY
CODES OF BEST PRACTICE are available as follows:
For plantations
www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au
Follow the tabs to vegetations, plantations. A link to the code is on
the LHS of he page. (Note if you go to private native forestry, it will
refer you to the site below.
For native forestry
www.environment.nsw.gov.au
Follow the tabs to nature conservation, conservation options for land,
A link to private native forestry code is on the LHS of the page.
For those interested in agri-char, the Best Energies web site is www.bestenergies.com
OTHER
CONTACTS
Col
Hastie
Environmental Contractor and Consultant
mobile 0428 429 013
Pash-in
Indigenous Nursery
Local provenance species, seed collection, planting, bush tucker, aboriginal
perspectives, Accredited Landcare Carbonsmart Assessor
Ph 02 4369 6345
Mobile 0417 248 606
Pash-in@live.com.au
Mal
Henderson
Mallee Hen Services Pty Ltd
Environmental Flora Specialists
Ph 02 6574 4668
Mobile 0408 680 352
Association of Consulting
Foresters of Australia
Australian Sustainable
Timbers
Annabel Kater
0437 399 511
James Felton Taylor
0415 457 973
Collet Timber Consultancy
Steve Collet
Tel: BH 02 02-6558 9595
Tel: Mob 0419 589595
Email: ctcgloucester@bigpond.com
PDF
FILES
Weeds
• Table
of definitions of new Noxious Weed Classes
• Table
of Hunter & Central Coast noxious weeds classifications by local government
area.
• List of Council
Weeds Officer contacts for Hunter & Central Coast
• Crofton weed Agfact
• Fireweed Primefact
• Lantana Agfact
• Lantana
weed of national significance profile
• Lantana
weed management guide
• Nodding
thistle Agfact
• Onopordum
species Agfact- Scoth, Illyrian & Stemless thitles
• CSIRO workshop
proceedings- thistle management
• Thistles
weed information sheet
• Exotic perennial
grasses fact sheet
• DPI Noxious
& Environmental Weed Management Handbook
• Weeds
CRC Introductory Weed Management Manual
• Agriculture
Notes: Weed Control for Farm Forestry Plantations
• Weeds CRC
Workshop Proceedings: Weeds of Rainforests and Associated Ecosystems
HUNTER
FARM FORESTRY NETWORK
FIELD DAYS AND MEETING REPORTS
TAFE
Courses
TAFE are running courses on Private Native Forestry - Forest Soil and
Water Protection and a second course on Silviculture. The courses have
been attended by several HFFN members. Well worth while.
June
2010 Field day
Over twenty people visited two properties in the lower Manning valley where the one owner has been developing extensive native planations for over thirty years. On the higher property the main species have been blackbutt and flooded gum, with most trees at an advanced stage. On the more low lying property, as well as flooded gum, swamp mahogany, tallowwood and blackwood have been planted. Frost damage has occcurred to the latter two species, although the tallowwood especially are recovering. The flooded gum have performed differently on different sites, with varying drainage conditions a likely important factor. Preparations for planting involved ripping and forming linear mounds in which to plant tube stock. A planting rate of up to 1000 trees per day has been achieved by the farmer working alone. Maintenance activities have included pruning, slashing between the rows, brushcutting between trees in a row and controlled grazing.
March
2010 Field day
A property on the alluvial flats of the Crawford River was visited. It had previously been a dairy farm and a vegetable market garden. A Paulownia plantation had been established prior to the current owner taking over about four years ago, with the plantation size increased since then. We inspected trees at different stages of their life cycle and different planting and management methods. There was an interesting discussion of drying and marketing the timber. The property also had an area close to the river of recent plantings of native trees. After a hike over elevated parts of the property to view areas proposed for bush food crops we dashed through the driving rain to shelter, lunch and the formal meeting, including discussion on the recent Private Native Forestry initiatives.
November
2009 Field day
The venue for the November field day was changed at the last minute, because the miller no longer had a mill. The day was held at a biodynamic farm which has just established a small plantation. We inspected the plantation and many other plantings on the farm, including some very impressive river bank replanting. We were driven inside by some rain and forced to have an AGM and plan for 2010. a pleasant way to cap off another year.
September
2009 Field day
On Saturday a small but enthusiastic crew visited a site at Howes Valley
with a known fire history for the last 30 years. We cut cross sections
through a fallen tree and carefully cut epicormic shoots away from the
bark to examine the effect of fire on the timber.
On Sunday a large crowd listened to an expose on fire shelters, fine furniture
and paulownia trees at Wollombi. Afterwards we were taken for a walk into
a nearby forest where there is a HUGE iron bark – much bigger than
any other known ironbark tree. A fascinating day with some excellent repartee.
July
2009 Field day
An interesting day reviewing a previous field day site at Maitland Vale.
The site was part of a thinning and plantation trial. Thinning trial was
remeasured with a pleasing result showing the basil area had returned
to the pre-thinning value after approximately 6 years. Meanwhile, down
in the plantation, there was a pruning tool shoot out with the chain saw
pole pruner facing up to the pole saw and electric pole pruners. Predictably,
each had strengths and weaknesses. The day ended with a tree planting
session on the creek where the June 2007 flood had removed previous plantings.
A well attended and enjoyable day.
June
2009 Field day
A well attended meeting with the usual flair for turning out a fine feed
for morning tea and lunch. A particular prize to our host member for the
innovative water boiler. Our host walked us through the trials and tribulations
of preparing property vegetation plans and obtaining permission to log
a private native forest. This was followed by an inspection of the proposed
logging area and lively discussion on the operations plan and the code.
An interesting and stimulating meeting.
April
2009 Field day
Unfortunately postponed till 14 June.
March
1st 2009
CMA held a Carbon day at Maitland. About a dozen HFFN members attended.
A stimulating day with top speakers on Carbon Credits and Bio Banking.
The day ended with a walk through the nearby Earth Care Park plantation.
Some HFFN members adjusted their age and rode mountain bikes around the
BMX track instead of afternoon tea, while others did the “Water Watch”
thing. A good day and thanks to Graham from the CMA.
November
2008 Field Day
A freezing cold November day on top of a mountain, but a fascinating day
none the less. In amongst the planted rainforest it was still and mild.
A fantastic effort to push back the Lantana and agricultural weeds and
plant a magnificent and diverse rain forest. The day finished off for
some by a visit to the local 60m waterfall. Wow. Oh, we also did the AGM
thing and re-elected the 2008 committee unopposed.
August
Field day 2008 Report
The field day at Kooragang city farm was a fascinating day – with
lots of wisdom thrown in
“Wire
Grows grass”
“Graze cows to grow good grass”
In the Kooragang
wetland, the best trees grow where they are planted with many plants to
the square metre.
Planting is at any time of year. Preparation is by allowing everything
to grow out of control and then spaying and allowing it to mulch down.
Ripping is not needed in the wet soil. A small army of volunteers turn
out each third Sunday of the month to do a mornings planting and then
have a relaxed lunch.
June
Field day 2008 Report
-
Quorrobolong – a good day that was well attended. It was especially
pleasing to see new members that had heard about HFFN via the stand at
Tocal and via the Master Tree Growers course. The plantation was very
interesting – some of the six year old trees were very good and near
to thinning stage. Others were not so good. Overall a very interesting
day.
- At the meeting following, it was agreed that if funding was available
from Landcare, then HFFN would run another Master Tree Growers course
later this year.
April
Field day 2008 Report
- A very successful field day attended by approximately 20 members
- Inspected a 130 acres of thinned native regrowth and associated soil
conservation works
- Young trees of good form allowed to grow out to good logs
- Old remnant trees retained and protected
- Biodiversity retained and promoted
- Abundant native grass growing under partial shade from remaining timber
- Increased grazing potential.
- Soil conservation works prevent erosion and provide stock water
- Creek line fenced off to promote biodiversity