Managing native regrowth forests and plantations at Port Arthur

Posted 15 September 2026

Managing trees On-farm benefits Native regrowth forest management

Malcolm Larner manages Semaphore Farm, a 161-hectare property at Port Arthur, southern Tasmania. Proudly following his parents’ footsteps, Malcolm has been managing both native regrowth forests and plantations since the early 2000s.

During this time, Malcolm has focused on harvesting and reforestation of five native forest coupes on the property and balancing a variety of biodiversity and environmental values in accordance with the Forest Practices Code including the Mt Mangana Stag beetle. Products sold from Semaphore Farm during this time have included hydro poles and sawlogs amongst other wood products.

To support Semaphore Farm – and other private landowners – harvesting and thinning efforts, Malcolm has purchased a Cat 325 excavator, Valmet 425 self-levelling harvester with a 618 Waratah felling processing head.

In addition to harvesting, Malcolm has a passion for seed collecting, running his own business Tasmanian Eucalypt and Native Seeds and has reafforested coupes at Semaphore Farm with seed sourced prior to coupe harvesting. Malcolm combines tree climbing with on ground collection and works alongside Woodlea Nursery to establish the seed he has collected into seedlings for planting.

Currently, Malcolm is managing the sectioned harvesting of a 22-hectare native forest coupe on Semaphore Farm and is planning a trial establishment of Corymbia maculayta (Spotted Gum).

Malcolm welcomes community and schools to the Semaphore Farm to experience forestry and explore the many benefits of managing and growing trees. He has a long running relationship with the Forest Education Foundation and supported the development of forestry education materials and resources.

Malcolm's commitment to sustainable forest management demonstrates the long-term benefits that trees can provide for Tasmanian farms, families and communities. To learn more about successful tree farmers like Malcolm and connect with other landowners growing and managing trees, join Private Forests Tasmania's Tree Alliance - a community of Tasmanian farmers and landowners sharing experiences, knowledge and support for trees on farms.