Willowbend, Cygnet, Huon Valley - Chris and Guiliana White planted trees to improve farm productivity, water quality and biodiversity as well as produce timber.
Download PDFOwner | Chris and Guiliana White |
Property name | Willowbend |
Location | Cygnet, Huon Valley, Southern Tasmania |
Property Size | 61 hectares |
Enterprise | Dairy, garlic and timber production |
Rainfall | 1050 mm (average) |
Soil types | Duplex soils - sandy loams / light clays |
Forested area | 3ha |
Chris and Guiliana planted trees to improve farm productivity, water quality and biodiversity as well as produce timber.
They prepared a property management plan to integrate trees into their farm with their main aim to protect streams from livestock and revegetate the stream sides. They planted 3 hectares of trees in 2007 and 2008.
"The trees are already benefiting the farm. Cattle tend to gather to find shelter in the lee of the trees, pastures appear to be far healthier and bird life has improved. There is a supply of firewood after 5 years. CSIRO reported that water quality has improved. I expect these benefits to increase as the trees grow.”
Species | Features | Biodiversity | Management | Wood Products |
---|---|---|---|---|
Blue gum | Native species good for timber, honey & habitat | Habitat for endangered Swift Parrot | Prune & thin. Will regrow after harvest | Clearwood, sawlogs & firewood |
Shining gum | Robust species with good timber properties | Possums & native birdlife enjoy new plantings | Prune & thin | Clearwood, sawlogs & firewood |
Blackwood | Native species good for timber & habitat | Habitat for range of native species | Prune & thin | Clearwood, sawlogs & firewood |