Fact sheets
Active commercial forest management can benefit native regrowth forest owners
Private native regrowth forestry fact sheets
Active management of native regrowth forests for commercial production through silvicultural treatments such as thinning and selective harvesting can improve forest health and productivity, increase carbon sequestration and generate income. Careful management can also increase drought resilience, reduce fire severity, enhance biodiversity and provide other benefits. Understanding what can be achieved is an important first step when considering how to manage your private native regrowth forest. This series of fact sheets provides an introduction to some important aspects of private native regrowth forest management. The fact sheets look at some of the ways active commercial forest management can benefit private native regrowth forest owners and their forests, while contributing to broader benefits for all Tasmanians. They also provide an introduction to some of the forestry, scientific and commercial considerations that you will need to take account of to successfully undertake native regrowth forest management.
These fact sheets complement the range of other information and resources available on the Private Forests Tasmania website.
It is important to note that this guide is not a substitute for good quality, independent professional advice. If you are seriously considering active commercial management of your private native regrowth forest, you are encouraged to talk to a professional forestry service provider.
Fact sheet 1 - Commercial management of private native regrowth forests
Active management of native regrowth forests for commercial production through silvicultural treatments such as thinning and selective harvesting can improve forest health and productivity, increase carbon sequestration and generate income.
Careful management can also increase drought resilience, reduce fire severity, enhance biodiversity and provide other benefits discussed in Fact Sheet no. 4: Non-timber products and values in private native regrowth forestry. Understanding what can be achieved is an important first step when considering how to manage your private native regrowth forest.
This fact sheet provides an introduction to some of the ways active commercial forest management can benefit private native regrowth forest owners and their forests.
Fact sheet 2 - Getting ready to harvest
Like any other land management activity, it is good practice to start organising harvesting operations well ahead of time. Planning for harvesting should ideally start several years prior to the anticipated operation. This provides time to complete essential tasks, allows for delays and enables the forest owner to take advantage of good market conditions and the availability of contractors and service providers.
This fact sheet discusses what needs to be done to get harvest ready.
Fact sheet 3 - Native forest silvicultural systems
Silviculture is defined as the art and science of forest management. Silvicultural systems are designed to address the specific requirements of a particular forest and ensure that forest health and productivity are maintained and enhanced. Tasmania's private native regrowth forests vary considerably with respect to species composition, structure, age and condition. As a result, actively managing native regrowth forests in Tasmania requires consideration and selection of the silvicultural system designed to achieve specific objectives and cater for variation in forest type, conditions and site factors.
Silvicultural systems comprise a harvesting system, a regeneration treatment and ongoing post-harvest monitoring and protection to ensure survival and health of the regenerating forest.
This fact sheet introduces the range of silvicultural systems used in Tasmanian native regrowth forests and their application.
Fact sheet 4 - Non-timber products and values in private native forestry
Private native regrowth forests are managed for a wide range of objectives. They provide numerous commercial and non-commercial benefits. In addition to timber production, these include livestock grazing, honey production, recreation and environmental and ecosystem benefits in the form of biodiversity, carbon accumulation and storage, management of water quality and yield and soil health.
This fact sheet provides an overview of how the active management of private native regrowth forests can deliver multiple objectives and outcomes, including environmental and ecosystem benefits.
Fact sheet 5 - Timber products, markets and supply chains for private native regrowth forests
This fact sheet provides an overview of Tasmanian log products and markets and the supply chain factors that impact on harvest revenue. Logs harvested from private native regrowth forests can be sold into a range of domestic and export wood products markets. Market suitability and prices paid for logs will depend on a number of variables related to species, log characteristics, forest location and the availability markets for all log types. The native regrowth forest wood products supply chain starts when trees are harvest on site. Based on the characteristics (species, size and straightness) and customer's log specifications, the contractor will decide how the trees will be made into logs. Logs are then transported to customers through some combination of road, rail and sea freight.
Fact sheet 6 - Risk management for private native forestry
This fact sheet explores the types of hazards associated with native regrowth forests, how management activities influence these and ways to reduce risk.
All forest owners face risks relating to their assets, finances, their own and others wellbeing. Some forestry risks are caused by natural hazards and are to some degree always present, others are introduced with operational activities.
Fact sheet 7 - Financial analysis for private native forestry
Financial analysis is a key stop in preparing to conduct a silvicultural treatment such as native regrowth forest thinning. It assists in estimating returns from an operation under a given scenario, enables analysis of the potential and comparative profitability between different options and generally puts the forest owner in a more informed position during planning and contract negotiations.
This fact sheet introduces the principles of financial analysis for native regrowth forestry operations. It identifies the types of information required and presents analysis of several scenarios which demonstrate the influence of a range of variables on operational financial outcomes. The information presented is derived from modelled scenarios and does not represent the outcomes for any of the specific case studies described in this series.
Phone our free helpline on 1300 661 009 to speak with a Private Forester or email us at admin@pft.tas.gov.au