8. The Back Run: Replacing nitens with pines for timber, carbon economic value

Introduction

Sarah and Tom Clark purchased the demonstration sites properties a few years ago, with some poor performing E.nitens established on the property. 

In 2021, a 35ha woodlot area was established using bare rooted seedlings, with a further 14ha being established in 2022. 

The Clark’s have successfully registered their plantings in the project through the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator, Emission Reduction Fund plantation methodology. 

Through harvesting their ex E.nitens plantation and establishing P.radiata they were able to successfully demonstrate their project was eligible for Schedule 2 of the plantation methodology.

"We purchased the land with the trees and the nitens hadn't done well here, it was the wrong tree for this particular place, but we could see the possibility of having the right trees on this block and the benefits we could get from that. We're very much focused on increasing the shelter that we have for our stock," Sarah Clark said.

Site preparation

• Greenfield sites ripped to maximise soil moisture potential.
• Second rotation woodlot was planted into existing mounds.
• Woodlot area was helicopter aerial sprayed in March 2021.
• Woodlot had follow-up spot spraying where required in March 2022.
• Shelterbelt area was sprayed pre-plant.

Planting

• Open rooted P.radiata seedlings supplied by Lanoma Forest Nursery.
• E.nitens cleared and logged, P.radiata planted between stumps for second rotation.
• Seedlings spade planted by Forest Planters Silvicultural crew, Derwent Valley.
• Planters did a good job of pushing into uncultivated ground.
• Shelterbelt component (14ha) was planted in 2022 with seedlings from Lanoma Forest Nursery.

Species and area

• P.radiata - 39.3ha

Stocking

• 1,070 stems per hectare.
• Survival as at November 2021 = 93%

Challenges

• Browsing along the perimeter has caused some survival loses.
• Weeds have impacted the growth of the seedlings in 2022 with Pharlaris grass domination sections of the woodlot.

Planned management

• Shelterbelts will have follow-up weed control with medd-a-metre.
• Woodlot area along shelterbelts will have re-filling done in winter 2023.

Expected outcomes

• Trees that will deliver multiple benefits.
• Carbon credits.
• Using the land to its capability.
• Creating an intergenerational asset.
• Reducing livestock burning energy.

"We've got some areas of ground here that are really well suited to grazing, but other areas of ground that aren't suited for grazing and the best thing to do with them is to have trees."

"The main financial benefit from the woodlots will be from the harvest of them in around 25 years' time. Project when it comes to tree planting, it's, it's not a quick, quick turnover at all, but it's a long-term investment."

Watch the Back Run Video

The Clarks are sheep, cattle and brassica seed crop farmers who have diversified their farming enterprise using their land to suit its capabilities. By strategically reviewing their property, the Clarks created a property plan identify areas where pasture belongs and areas better suited to commercial trees. It’s not just about growing trees for potential harvest but also about shelter for direct livestock benefits and for future generations.