Forestry Corporation of NSW’s 2023 seedling crop is well and truly underway with the seeds that will grow 9 million radiata pine (Pinus radiata) sown in the organisation’s Blowering nursery.

Over the past eight weeks, nursery staff have sown around 320,000 seeds a day to supply around 70 per cent of the 2023 radiata pine planting program, said Plantation Improvement Manager Phil Green.

“The process starts in September and moves through cycles of seed stratification, sowing, crop tending, topping, consolidation and ultimately dispatch in the winter months between May and September.

“All up, 400 kilograms of seed were sown at Blowering nursery this year for the 2023 forestry planting program.

“We've dispatched almost 80 million containerised seedlings from Blowering nursery over the last 11 years, which have ultimately helped build people’s homes and vital infrastructure.”

Over the coming year, the crop will be carefully hand-weeded, fertilised, nurtured and watered to produce seedlings in time for planting next winter.

“Our nursery staff will also regularly sample the stem diameter, height and nutrient status of seedlings throughout the nursery before being individually assessed to make sure they meets our high standards," Mr Green said.

“The ongoing plantation cycle means the community has access to renewable forestry resources for decades to come.

“The seedlings we plant today will grow into the trees that are used in paper, packaging, new houses, home extensions and backyard fences when the plantations are harvested 15 to 35 years from now.

“It is exciting to see it start with one tiny seed.”

Forestry Corporation is the largest producer of plantation-grown radiata pine in Australia, managing more than 240,000 hectares of plantations around the state and producing more than 3.5 million tonnes of timber each year. This is enough to construct about a quarter of the houses built in Australia each year.

Find out more about Forestry Corporation’s planting program at www.forestrycorporation.com.au.

Media contact: Rod Campbell