Forest Types
Plantations
Plantation forests are stands of trees created by the regular placement of seeds or seedlings. Plantation forests can be either native or exotic species.
Plantation forests were first established in Australia in the 1870s when the local timber industry could not supply enough material for settlement of new regions. Many native and exotic species were trialled but Radiata Pine was the first species planted for forestry in the southern areas of Australia. Plantations now supply more than half of Australia’s timber requirements.
Softwood plantation forests produce sawlogs in the relatively short time of 25-35 years, and can be managed to produce timber of a relatively consistent size and quality. Softwood plantations also produce wood that is suitable for newsprint, cardboard, plywood and other engineered wood products.
Hardwood plantation forests produce pulpwood in an even shorter time frame of 10-15 years. Recently some hardwood forest plantations have been left for longer periods to produce sawlogs and other higher value products.
Plantations are often part of a diverse landscape that also includes remnant native forests. Sometimes plantations are used solely for their environmental benefits such as creating wind shelters, increasing water quality, reducing erosion or reducing the effects of salinity.
For more information on plantation forests, read the National Forestry Inventory’s Plantation Forest Profile.
Plantation establishment
Photo: Forest and Wood Research and Development Corporation
