Video series
Hear from people who are growing trees on their farms
Our treety: to grow our future economy and ecology through trees
By 2050, the world will need 60% more food, 50% more energy and 30% more water – all while reaching net zero emissions. There’s no single path to success, but we can plant trees. And we need to plant them now.
Knowledge Hub: Why trees?
The Tree Alliance Knowledge Hub is a go-to resource for farmers exploring the 'hows' and 'whys' of planting trees. As part of the Knowledge Hub, we asked Tasmanian farmers, forestry professionals and conservation experts about how trees are bringing benefits to Tasmanian farms and landscapes.
The following videos were produced with the support of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.
Carbon benefits with Dr Matthew Harrison
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Many farmers are already seeing the impacts of global climate change on local scales. Trees soak up carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, branches, bark, roots and leaves. This makes them an effective solution for farmers looking to balance their farm's emissions.
In this video, Dr Matthew Harrison shares how farmers can use trees to reduce their carbon footprint and explore the carbon market.
Riparian planting with Annabel von Bibra and Pierre Defourny
Riparian vegetation is located at the edge of waterways (e.g., stream or rivers) and is made up of trees, shrubs, herbes, sedges, rushes and grasses. It offers many agricultural benefits, including improved water quality, increased flood resilience, enhanced biodiversity and habitat, and connectivity on farm and landscape level.
In this video, meet farmer Annabel von Bibra and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy's Pierre Defourny as they discuss how riparian plantings can improve farm landscapes.
Infill planting with Rae Young and Jon Finch
Infill planting is where grasses, herbs, shrubs and small trees are planted in a forested area. Infill planting creates groundcover and multiple layers of vegetation under taller trees. This provides habitat for wildlife and increases biodiversity. It also improves soil quality.
In this video, meet farmer Rae Young and Entomology expert Jon Finch as they discuss the benefits of infill planting for farms and the environment.
On-farm benefits with Peter Voller and Philip Headlam
Trees support whole farm systems to operate more efficiently. They can also boost your farm's profits and protect the health and sustainability of your landscape. Whether you're looking for shelter, healthy soils, or biodiversity, trees can help. But to maximise on-farm benefits, trees should be planted in the right place and be managed effectively.
In this video, meet farmer Philip Headlam and Cradle Coast Authority's Peter Voller as they discuss the benefits trees can bring to farming systems.
Shelterbelts with Pierre Defourney and Annabel von Bibra
Shelterbelts are rows of trees that are typically placed around paddocks. They create shelter for stock and crops to improve productivity. They can include native and exotic species, and trees can be used in commercial wood production.
In this video, meet farmer Annabel von Bibra and the Tasmanian Land Conservancy's Pierre Defourny as they discuss how shelterbelts can benefit Tasmanian farm productivity.
Managing trees with Rob Smith and Justin Baily
Good management starts with a good understanding of your trees and their needs. Trees don't need the intensive management of annual crops, but plantations still need the necessary attention for success. Activities differ from farm to farm, site to site, and even tree to tree.
In this video, meet Private Forests Tasmania's Rob Smith and Forest Steward Justin Baily as they discuss how to manage plantations for success.
Traditional Land Management with Lyndon O'Neil
palawa people (Aboriginal Tasmanians) have a deep connection to the lands of lutruwita/Tasmania, which has been ongoing for over 40,000 years. Indigenous land management reflects this connection and the strong understanding palawa people have of Country.
In this video, meet Trawlwoolway and Pairabeene man, Lyndon O’Neil as he discusses working with farmers to create healthy landscapes.
Economic Benefits & Markets with David Evans
There are many potential markets for farm-grown trees, including wood, carbon and biofuel. Trees can also increase your farm's efficiency and value. With many opportunities to generate income throughout a tree's life, you don't need to wait until harvest time for your plantation to pay off financially.
In this video, meet New Forests' David Evans as he discusses market opportunities for farmers growing trees.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Sites
In 2019, seven sites received funding to integrate commercial trees as part of the Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Sites program.
More than 210,000 seedlings have been planted in the form of shelterbelts and woodlots as a result. This video series follows the grant recipients as they discuss their progress, learnings and the benefits of trees to their farms.
The Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Sites program is a co-investment grant program administered by Private Forests Tasmania via funds from the Tasmanian government and the Australian government's Smart Farming Grant program.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site - Winton, Campbell Town, Tasmania
John Taylor farms a 3,300 hectare sheep, cattle and cropping enterprise in the Northern Midlands of Tasmania where he has planted commercial tree species around centre pivot irrigators for crop and livestock shelter as well as biodiversity benefits and water evaporation.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site - The Back Run, Ellendale, Tasmania
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.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site - Logan, Evandale, Tasmania
Trees have been integrated into this prime lambing enterprise at Evandale for the past 70 years and the impacts shelterbelts are having on lamb survivability is noticeable. Paddocks sheltered by strategically planted commercial trees are warmer and have increased lamb survival rates by 5-10%.
Increased water efficiency, enhanced farm aesthetics and warmer paddocks ensure the Peltzers will continue the family tradition of planting trees for the future.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site - Kenilworth, Campbell Town, Tasmania
David Taylor is a merino sheep farmer producing wool, lambs and crops on their 2,234 ha property.
David discusses his learnings and his direct supply arrangement with a European manufacturer and mountaineering clothing label where they make annual audit visits to their property ensuring sustainability and environmental standards are met.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site - Gunningham Family Farms, Montumana, Tasmania
Matthew and Pippa Gunningham are organic dairy and free range chicken farmers located at Montumana in Tasmania’s far north west. The Gunningham’s have strategically planted a mixture of niten and radiata pine trees displaying the benefits of creating more biodiversity on farm whilst providing a genuine level of shelter for livestock and reducing water evaporation.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration site - Fulham, Dunalley, Tasmania
Fulham is a 3,000 acre grazing property on the south-east coast of Dunalley producing fat lambs, wool and oysters.
Fulham has always had a tree planting program on farm and have wanted to further diversify their business income and create additional shelter for livestock believing there are advantages of trees in almost every aspect of farming.
Trees play a huge role on this coastal property which suffers from prevailing westerly winds.
Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Site - Chester Partnerships, Quamby Park, Westwood, Tasmania
Sam Archer and his brother farm a 2,600 hectare property, ‘Quamby Park’ at Westwood Tasmania producing prime lambs, beef cattle & irrigated cropping. The Archer’s have been planting shelterbelts for a number of years and in 2020 were successful in receiving grant funding under the Integrated Farm Forestry Demonstration Sites program.
Sam explains how plantations have been established on steep and rocky unproductive farmland and how he has seen a 10-15% increase in lamb survival in well sheltered paddocks.
Growing the future
In this series of short videos, hear from Tasmanian farmers who are using trees on their farms to achieve social, economic and environmental goals. Hosted by Sally Dakis, journalist and ex-presenter of Tasmanian Country Hour on ABC Radio.
Tree Alliance - Growing the Future
Tasmanian farmers have to juggle difficult decisions as they work to make their farms sustainable, productive and profitable. We share the experiences of Tasmanian farms who are using trees to help them achieve these goals.
Ed Archer - Greenhythe
Ed Archer’s family has been farming Greenhythe on the banks of the Tamar, north of Launceston, since 1876. The family operates a nationally recognised Angus stud, and a Launceston butcher shop selling Landfall branded beef and prime lamb. Ed grew up watching his father plant trees and now intends to plant more. So, how does he see the role of trees in the past, the present and the future?
Andrew Colvin - Nosswick
Not many farmers get to design their own farm from a clean slate. But that was the case for Andrew Colvin. Andrew focuses on valuable grass-seed crops and prime lambs on the 800-hectare property, turning off 13,000 head a year. Over the last 40 years he's invested in trees in strategic places for specific purposes, and he's convinced they've helped underpin his farm's productivity.
Chris White - Willowbend Dairy
In the early 2000s Chris White decided to plant as many as 8,000 trees alongside rivulets on his farm at Wattle Grove. The planning was driven by the sight of deteriorating riverbanks, soil erosion, animal welfare, and a desire to leave the farm in better condition. 15 years later, the initiative has changed the nature of the farm, providing the CSIRO with real evidence on how trees can lift farm productivity and environmental sustainability.
Anh Nguyen - Ese Vineyard
Some farming businesses are being designed today to cater to the consumer of the future. A practising engineer and scientist, Anh Nguyen's research into new farming techniques saw her named the Tasmanian winner of the 2019 Agrifutures Rural Women's Award, and has developed a water sensing system, which is being tested at Ese Vineyard in the Coal River Valley.In the three years that Anh and her family have owned the vineyard, they've introduced biodynamic farming practices, and in doing so, produced a product that consumers are increasingly looking for.
Michael Lee - Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW)
We know that those who plant trees to harvest are taking a long-term position.
So, how can we be reassured that in the future, wood will hold value? That over and above the other environmental values it brings to a farm, that the returns will warrant the investment and commitment?
Michael Lee, from the University of Tasmania's Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood, sees a very robust future for Tasmanian-grown timber. But not just for products as we know them now.
The University of Tasmania is one of a number of international entities researching the wood products of the future.
Todd Babiak - Brand Tasmania
Tasmania more than most Australian states appreciates the significance of a brand and the story that goes behind it. It's one of the Island's major assets, but now under the umbrella of Brand Tasmania, that story is going to be much more compelling, with the island's ambition to become totally reliant on renewable energy.
Todd Babiak, the CEO of Brand Tasmania, says the state's future story is much more than just electricity; it's also about food, farming, trees and wood.
Clare Peltzer - Logan
Three generations of tree planting on Logan, a family-run farm at Evandale, has delivered increased water efficiency, increased lamb survivability, and enhanced farm aesthetics. After two generations of planting, Clare Peltzer explains why she and her brother, Angus, will continue the family tradition of planting trees for the future.