Three million pine seedlings re-planted in Central Tablelands
Forestry Corporation has finished re-planting 2,400 hectares of pine plantations in the Central Tablelands region to provide timber for homes of the future.
Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Silviculture manager, Mike Freeman, said each winter around 8,500 hectares of pine plantations across NSW are re-planted as a future timber resource.
“The seedlings will be harvested as timber in around 30 years – it’s exciting to think the work we are doing today will provide the building blocks for the homes of our children and grandchildren,” Mr Freeman said.
“This year we have planted over 3,000,000 seedlings in the Central Tablelands, which were predominantly grown in Forestry Corporation’s Tumut production nursery.
“These seedlings have restocked plantations that have been harvested for timber in recent years, including in Canobolas, Vulcan and Essington State forests.”
The planting operation provides significant regional employment, with around 35 contract staff engaged during the planting season.
“Each seedling is planted by hand and an experienced planter can plant around 2,000 seedlings a day,” Mr Freeman said.
“We plant in winter when pine seedlings are dormant, which makes them hardier and more resilient to the stress of being planted to give it the best chance of survival.”
Forestry Corporation has around 200,000 hectares of pine plantations in NSW and produces enough timber to construct a quarter of the homes built in Australia each year.
For more information about Forestry Corporation of NSW, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au
Media contact: Rod Campbell 0428058549