AgroForestry

F5: Combined exotic and native forestry system (2004)

~.8 ha/2 acres. Planted on a Keyline layout at 4m x 4m spacings (~620 stems/ha).

Ground preparation involved deep ripping down to~550-600 mm, rotary hoeing the soil and mounding aligned on contour. The previous history of kangaroo predation of young exotics and other species meant that all the trees were protected at planting with 2m high plastic guards, held in place by a hardwood stake.

Minimal pruning has been done at this stage. The main silvicultural management has been to gradually wean those trees which are taller than ~2.4m high off their guards and stakes.

Species planted include the following:

Acacia dealbata

A.mearnsii

A. melanoxylon

A.elata

Betula pendula

Fagus sylvatica

Fraxinus americana

Liquidambar styraciflua

Nothofagus cunninghamii

Platanus occidentalis

Prunus avium

P. serotina

Sequoia sempervirens

Sequoiadendron giganteum

Tilia americana

Ulmus procera

A handful of the following species have also been trialed in this system:

Agathis robusta

Dacrydium cupressinum

Phyllocladus aspleniifolius

Given the broad range of species being trialed in this system which are more adapted to cooler climate/higher rainfall and deeper soils, it is expected that a number will not succeed at Dalpura.

Layout design and species selection by Darren Doherty and George Howson.


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