Workshop Day 1
Native Forest Management Workshop 1 - Legislation, Products, Stand Assessment
Overview of Sustainable Forest Management
Objectives of the series presented in a logical stepped progression
Desired outcomes of series
Government legislation
Vegetation Management Act,
Regional Ecosystem Mapping
PMAVs
Code of Practice
Recognizing Forest Products in the field their specifications and the hierarchy of values as a first step in understanding your forest
Sliced Veneer Log
Poles
Girders
Saw log
Piles
Salvage grade logs
Stand assessment
Native forest assessment methods,
circular
strip
Indicators for stem faults, termites and other problems.
Reading tree crowns, understanding crown placement, tree form, vigour and growth rates
Crown Position
Crown position is the position of the tree crown relative to adjacent crowns,
Crown Size and Shape
Crown size considers the depth, width and shape and varies with diameter and species.A Spotted Gum for example, in the sapling and pole sizes has a conical shaped crown, which rounds off as the tree matures.
Crown Density
Crown density is a measure of the tree’s capacity to grow and is determined by the density and distribution of the foliar clumps, this varies with species.
Dead Branches
Significant numbers of dead branches in the canopy is a sign of tree decline. Commercial eucalypt species generally shed lower branches to form clean boles, so the lowest limbs are not considered as part of the actively growing crown. Also the thin dead branches produced each year and found just inside the leaf zone are disregarded in dead branch assessment.
Crown Epicormic Growth
A perfectly healthy crown has the foliage concentrated at the branch extremities. Growth occurring further in along the branch and growing in an upright position is termed epicormic growth . Epicormic growth normally occurs after some agency has caused branch death or dieback, with consequent slowing of growth. It is also seen in over-mature crowns, again where branches are dying.
Stocking rates and the implications on individual tree health, stand productivity and condition
Resultant evaluation of the condition of the stand and implications for forest management directions.
