Native Forests
Harvesting
Timber is harvested from native forests in Australia using either selective harvesting techniques or clearfell logging.
Photo: Queensland Department
of Primary Industries
Clearfell logging is the practice of removing almost all trees in a selected logging area. This method of harvesting is used in the cooler, wetter eucalypt forests of Victoria and Tasmania. These forests have dense understoreys which not only prevent light reaching the forest floor but also produce huge amounts of vegetation debris which pose significant fire hazards.
Following harvesting, the dense litter layers and thick layers of branches and leaves from the eucalypts and understorey plants are burnt to provide the bare soil and high light levels that eucalypt seedlings require to germinate and grow. This is achieved by burning the logged area in the cooler settled weather of the autumn. Eucalypt seed, collected from the site before harvesting commences, is then spread over the area and a new forest begins its life.
Photo:
Selective harvesting is the practice of removing only a selection of trees in a forest. It is commonly used for harvesting timber from drier forests - native State forests in New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland may be logged in this way. There are various methods of selective felling. One is known as group selection, where clumps of trees are removed, leaving a gap in the forest canopy.
Another is the single-tree selection method, where individual trees are selected to be felled. The remainder are left to maintain forest structure and wildlife habitat, and to mature for future harvesting operations. Other methods include potential sawlog retention, where older defective trees and poorly formed younger trees are removed (also known as thinning); and shelter wood retention, where some canopy trees are retained to provide frost protection for developing seedlings in higher altitude areas.
For more information about harvesting practices, search links to forest management organisations in each State.
Case Study: Planning a forest harvest
Forest harvest plans may take up to a year to prepare and many more months to implement. A harvest plan is a set of environmental standards, rules and regulations which sets out how timber or other forest products can be harvested from the forest while things like biodiversity, soil and water quality are conserved.
Foresters work with specialists including Aboriginal cultural heritage officers, soil scientists and ecologists and spend time out in the forest assessing and recording details; utilising the latest technology and records dating back more than 60 years to prepare a detailed plan including a map.
Harvest plans have evolved over the years to provide a clear set of instructions for field staff and contractors to carry out harvesting, while at the same time ensuring they meet environmental, social and safety standards.
For more information about harvest planning go to NSW Department of Primary Industries website.
