 |
|
|
|
|
Summary of full report
By Greening Australia Queensland (Inc.)
January 2008
RIRDC Publication No 08/003 RIRDC Project No GAQ-1A
Executive summary
What the report is about
This report evaluates a
range of older-age species trials established in central and south east
Queensland low to medium rainfall zones. The report provides information
on the success and failure of potential plantation species, and identifies
which of the early forestry tree plantings are suitable for further research.
The information is useful as there is little published data on older-age
growth of species in low to medium rainfall regions on Queensland.
Who is the report targeted
at?
This information will help
primary producers, natural resource consultants, regional forest associations
and researchers make informed choices about species-to-site matching for
timber production.
Background
There is proximity to ports
and processing, and suitable land and climate for growing hardwood species
in plantation in central and south east Queensland. Forest industry investors
are currently expanding in these regions. There are also opportunities
for farm forestry. However long term growth data on which to predict yield,
is limited for most species and sites.
Between 1980 and 1993, over 500 trial plots of native species were established across central and southeast Queensland. Some south east Queensland trials were re-measured in 2003, but otherwise none of the trials had been reviewed to determine their condition and tree growth. Revisiting these early species trials gave the opportunity to assess species performance on a range of sites.
Aims
The objectives of this current
study were a) to locate, survey and report on the condition of species
in these plantings, and b) identify which of the early forestry tree plantings
are suitable for further research.
Methods
The database containing
central Queensland site information was filtered with selection criteria
based on target species and management history, in order to select suitable
sites for further investigation.
Ten sites in CQ were assessed based on the results of this selection process. After collating and analysing available data on the southeast Queensland sites, rapid-appraisal site assessments were carried out. From this region, seven sites had species showing at least reasonable performance which were worthy of measurement.
Trees were measured for their height, height to crown break, diameter at breast height and various form ratings such as stem straightness. Sites were also assessed in terms of management input, rainfall, soil type, planting layout and survival rates.
Results
From the central Queensland
data, several observations were made:
|