Case Study - Agroforestry
8. The Back Run integrated farm forestry demonstration site
The Back Run, Ellendale, Central Highlands - The Back Run is one of the seven successful Round 1 Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Sites receiving grant funding to develop landscape scale best practice forestry plantings on their properties at Westerway and Ellendale.
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At a glance
| Owner | Tom and Sarah Clark |
| Property name | The Back Run & Westerway |
| Location | Ellendale, Central Highlands |
| Property Size | Ellendale 205ha, Westerway 780ha |
| Enterprise | Sheep, cattle and brassica seed crops |
| Rainfall | 650-700 mm |
| Soil type | Coarse sand over clay |
| Forest area | 49ha |
Key points
- The importance of species selection
- Trees deliver multiple benefits
- Carbon credits
- Shelterbelts for agricultural productivity
- Aesthetic benefits of trees in the landscape
Introduction
The Back Run is one of the seven successful Round 1 Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Sites receiving grant funding to develop landscape scale best practice forestry plantings on their properties at Westerway and Ellendale. The Clarks purchased the demonstration sites property 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.
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 - 49ha
Stocking
- 1,045 stems per hectare
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
