--- title: Plantation planning date: 2024-02-22T18:05:00+11:00 author: Private Forests Tasmania canonical_url: "https://pft.tas.gov.au/plantation-planning" section: Site Content --- 1. [Private Forests Tasmania](/) 2. [Resources](https://pft.tas.gov.au/resources) 3. [Forestry Topics](https://pft.tas.gov.au/forestry-topics) 4. Plantation planning # Plantation planning Early planning is the path to a plantation that works for you Trees come with many economic, productivity and environmental benefits. Before deciding which trees to plant and where, it’s important to establish your desired outcomes. ![Trees](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon300/pine-tree.svg) Growing trees is a long-term project. To make sure your investment pays off, consider how a planting can work for you throughout its lifecycle. Every farm and every farmer is unique, so there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Create a plan based on your individual property, farming operation and goals. **Get advice early to save a lot of work and expense in the long run.** ## Steps to plantation planning ![list](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/list-teal.svg) ### 1. Establish your priorities Consider why you want to plant trees. Do you want to increase biodiversity on your property, reduce farm emissions, increase productivity, or sell timber or carbon credits? The answer to these questions will support each stage of your decision making. Start here: [ Why plant trees ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Why-plant-trees.pdf) [ Fact Sheet 12: Introduction to Agroforestry ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Fact-Sheets/27208-Fact-Sheet-12-Introduction-to-Agroforestry_01.pdf) [ Farming Guides – Plan for Tree Planting ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Farming-Guides/Information_Series_-_No._4_-_Plan_for_Tree_Planting_-_Version_3_-_August_2020.pdf) [ On-farm benefits ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/on-farm-benefits) [ Carbon benefits ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/carbon-benefits) [ Economic benefits and markets ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/economic-benefits-and-markets) **Did you know?** There are more than 5,000 private forests in Tasmania, covering 1.09 million hectares. That's 33% of the State's total forest area. ![Worker](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/worker-cap.svg) ### 2. Assess your land Look at the whole of your farm and think about where you could plant trees. Consider the layout of your land, the location of services and the available space. This will help you decide the size and type of planting you could establish. Start here: [ Start your plan ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Start-your-plan.pdf) ![Plan](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/plan.svg) ### 3. Design and prepare Choose a species by carefully matching a tree to its ideal temperature, moisture and soils. Design a tree configuration to produce the results you want, whether that's on-farm benefits, income or biodiversity (or a mixture of all three). Then, it's time to make an establishment plan and prepare your site for planting. Start here: [ Species, sites and planning ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/species-sites-and-planning) ![Recycle](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/tree-recycle.svg) ### 4. Consider ongoing management Once your trees are established, they need ongoing management for the best chance of success. You can review and adapt your approach to meet your plantation's needs across its lifecycle. Activities might include fire management, pruning, thinning, and monitoring for pests and disease. Start here: [ Managing trees ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/managing-trees) ![Logs](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/logs.svg) ### 5. Plan for harvesting If you want to harvest trees to sell, consider the commercial opportunities and practicalities before you plant. That means understanding potential markets, harvesting and transportation options, on-farm infrastructure and sale prices. Start here: [ Harvesting and selling ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/harvesting-and-selling) ![Bar graph](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/bar-graph.svg) ### 6. Know your finances To make sure your plantation is viable, plan your costs from the beginning. This includes costs for set-up, ongoing management, harvesting (if applicable) and taxes. You should also understand your potential returns from trees, whether that's from selling wood, the carbon market or increasing your farm's productivity. Start here: [ Economic benefits and markets ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/economic-benefits-and-markets) [ Your private forest – How to use it ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Your-private-forest-%E2%80%93-how-to-use-it.pdf) [ Selling your wood ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/selling-your-wood) ![Scales](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/scales.svg) ### 7. Understand the legalities Forest operations are regulated in Tasmania, including on private land. Before you start activities such as planting, clearing or harvesting forests, make sure you understand the law. This includes Forest Practices Plans, local planning approvals and private timber reserves. Start here: [ The law ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/the-law) [ Forest Practices Plans ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/forest-practices-plans) ![Get support](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/Topics/Icons/_icon200/people-work-together.svg) ### 8. Get support Getting professional support to plan, grow and manage trees can save you a lot of time and money. This is particularly true for first-time growers. Hire a specialist to visit your farm, ask PFT for advice, attend events and courses, or talk to other farmers about their journeys – the choice is yours! Start here: [ Why do I need a consulting forester and how do I choose? ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Selling-your-wood/Why_do_I_need_a_consulting_forester_and_how_do_I_choose_-_V2_Dec_2021_approved.pdf) [ Directory of Tasmanian Forestry Services ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/directory) [ Contact us ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/contact-us) ### Growing the future: Plantation planning ### Shelterbelts with Pierre Difourney & Annabel von Bibra ### Logan Demonstration Site ### The Back Run Demonstration site Get advice and support for a successful plantation. [ Find a forester ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/directory) ## Browse topics [ #### Plantation planning Early planning is the path to a plantation that works for you ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/plantation-planning) [ #### Species, sites and planning Plant the right tree in the right place ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/species-sites-and-planning) [ #### Managing trees Timely management means your plantation will be healthy and productive ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/managing-trees) [ #### Harvesting and selling A growing industry with opportunities for Tasmanian farmers ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/harvesting-and-selling) [ #### On-farm benefits Trees increase farm productivity and create more sustainable operations ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/on-farm-benefits) [ #### Economic benefits and markets Diversify your income and increase your farm’s natural capital ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/economic-benefits-and-markets) [ #### Carbon benefits Trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere and store it as wood ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/carbon-benefits) [ #### Native regrowth forests and biodiversity Native trees benefit Tasmania's ecosystems and communities ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/native-regrowth-forests-and-biodiversity) [ #### Indigenous land management Indigenous land management is part of Caring for Country ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/indigenous-land-management) [ #### The law Forest operations are regulated in Tasmania, including on private land ](https://pft.tas.gov.au/the-law)