--- title: Forestry guides date: 2022-08-11T16:45:00+10:00 author: Private Forests Tasmania canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/farming-guides" section: Site Content --- 1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/) 2. [Resources](https://pft.tas.gov.au/resources) 3. Forestry guides # Forestry guides How to plan, establish and manage trees on your farm ### Forestry guides This series of fact sheets gives you an introduction to plan, maintain and harvest plantations on your farm. They were developed by Private Forests Tasmania. For more information or to get personalised advice about trees on your farm: [Contact Us](https://pft.tas.gov.au/contact-us) ![Sam Archer Chester Quamby plantation establishment tasmania](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Farming-Guides/_1500xAUTO_scale_center-center_80_none/18457/SamArcher_7805.webp) ### No. 1 - Selecting Species and Site For best tree growth, climate and soil type should match the tree species in its natural environment. When selecting species, consider which markets exists and are within your ability to manage [ #### No. 1 - Selecting Species and Site 209.2 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-1-Selecting-Species-and-Site-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 2 - Farm Shelter High wind speeds and rain lead to chilling of livestock and physical damage to crops. Well placed and well managed shelterbelts can be used to increase agricultural productivity. [ #### No. 2 - Farm Shelter 408.0 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-2-Farm-Shelter-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 3 - Plantation establishment timetable Basic guidelines and timelines for the successful establishment of radiata pine on farmland. [ #### No. 3 - Plantation Establishment Timetable 107.7 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-3-Plantation-Establishment-Timetable-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 4 - Plan for tree planting Before planting a tree, you should consider the effects it will have on your farm, its infrastructure and services. A plan is necessary regardless of the number of trees planted. [ #### No. 4 - Plan for Tree Planting 145.8 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-4-Plan-for-Tree-Planting-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 5 - Plantation establishment summary Plantation establishment includes site preparation, weed control, planting, fertilising, vermin control and re-planting. Establishment can take up to 12 to 18 months. [ #### No. 5 - Plantation Establishment Summary 137.6 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-5-Plantation-Establishment-Summary-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 6 - Site preparation Clearing the site of previous vegetation, cultivating the soil and controlling weeds are important steps in preparing your site for tree planting. [ #### No. 6 - Site Preparation 191.5 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-6-Site-Preparation-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 7 - Weed control Weeds compete with trees for water, nutrients and light and can affect the growth of the tree and the profitability of plantations. [ #### No. 7 - Weed Control 141.0 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-7-Weed-Control-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 8 - Planting Planting stock may be raised as seedlings or cuttings. Seedlings are cheaper, but for best planting stock, seedlings should be forwn from genetically improved seed collected from a seed orchard. [ #### No. 8 - Planting 745.3 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-8-Planting-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 9 - Browsing damage to seedlings Browsing damage by possums, wallabies, kangaroo, rabbit and deer can affect the growth rate and form of seedlings. Control of browsing animals is essential to successful plantation establishment. [ #### No. 9 - Browsing Damage to Seedlings 257.7 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-9-Browsing-Damage-to-Seedlings-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 10 - Pests and disease Trees can be severely damaged or killed by native and introduced pests and disease. Keep an eye on your trees by conducting regular inspections of forest areas. [ #### No. 10 - Pests and Disease 166.9 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-10-Pests-and-Disease-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 11 - Pruning Pruning is the removal of branches from the main trunk of a tree to improve the quality and value of the timber product produced. [ #### No. 11 - Pruning 756.7 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-11-Pruning-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 12 - Thinning Thinning is the selective removal of some trees from a stand and reduces competition for light, water and nutrients. Thinning can be either non-commerical or commerical. [ #### No. 12 - Thinning 210.2 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-12-Thinning-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 13 - Utilisation of farm grown wood Farm forests have many uses including wood products (firewood, posts and poles, pulpwood, sawlogs, veneeer logs) livestock and crop shelter, tourism and aesthetics. [ #### No. 13 - Utilisation of farm grown wood 160.2 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-13-Utilisation-of-farm-grown-wood-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 14 - Forest Certification A fact sheet explaining the forest certification process including Chain of Custody and Group Certification for both native forests and plantations. You may also find **[Harvesting and selling wood](https://treealliance.com.au/harvesting-and-selling-wood)** and **[Economic benefits and markets](https://treealliance.com.au/economic-benefits-and-markets)** of use with this information. [ #### No. 14 - Forest certification 2.4 MB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-14-Forest-certification-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 15 - Tree species list A list of tree species with the potential to grow in Tasmania including site requirements and other factors to form a guide to assist you match potential trees species to proposed tree planting sites. [ #### No. 15 - Tree Species List 217.1 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-15-Tree-Species-List-Version-4-June-2026.pdf) ### No. 16 - Best Practice Forestry Establishment Successful tree establishment is the foundation of any forestry activity.  'Best practice forestry establishment' is not a single prescribed method, but rather the application of appropriate establishment techniques based on site conditions, seasonal conditions, species selection and landowner objectives. This document provides an overview of the key principles that underpin successful plantation establishment techniques, along with examples of how approaches may vary in application. [ #### Information Series No 16 Best Practice Forestry Establishment Version 1 July 2026 186.0 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information-Series-No.-16-Best-Practice-Forestry-Establishment-Version-1-July-2026.pdf) ## Reducing the carbon footprint of Tasmanian dairying - 10 steps Funding from the Tasmanian Climate Change Office is helping DairyTas identify ways to reduce the carbon footprint of dairying in Tasmania. This project involves research, case studies and extension activities. DairyTas is partnering with LIC and Private Forests Tasmania's Tree Alliance in the delivery of this project. Other project partners are assisting with specific topics. Of particular interest to farm foresters is [**Step 8 - Keep cows comfortable and plant trees**](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/8_Keep-cows-comfortable-plant-trees.pdf) which discusses how trees on dairy farms is a win for carbon, animal welfare, biodiversity, plus economic benefits. ![Dairy cows sheltered by trees at Brittons Swamp north west Tasmania](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Farming-Guides/dairy-cows-Brittons-swamp_permission-to-use-from-tony.maguire-realestate.webp)Dairy cows sheltered by trees [ #### The 10 Step Summary 875.7 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/A_10_Step_Summary.pdf) [ #### Step 1 - Know where emissions come from 647.2 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/1_Know-where-emissions-come-from.pdf) [ #### Step 2 - Make every cow count 658.7 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/2_Make-every-cow-count.pdf) [ #### Step 3 - Efficient cows are key 1.7 MB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/3_Efficient-cows-are-key.pdf) [ #### Step 4 - Enduring cows 596.6 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/4_Enduring-cows.pdf) [ #### Step 5 - Home grown goodness 956.6 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/5_Home-grown-goodness.pdf) [ #### Step 6 - Smarter energy use 855.7 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/6_Smarter-energy-use.pdf) [ #### Step 7 - Be Fertmart 1.5 MB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/7_Be-Fertmart.pdf) [ #### Step 8 - Keep cows comfortable PLANT TREES 1.1 MB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/8_Keep-cows-comfortable-plant-trees.pdf) [ #### Step 9 - Carbon farming rivers soils and trees 1.3 MB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/9_Carbon-farming-rivers-soils-and-trees.pdf) [ #### Step 10 - Keep learning 612.3 KB ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Dairy-Tas-10-steps/10_Keep-learning.pdf)