Harvester carrying out clear felling operation
South Australia is able to produce high quality structural radiata pine due to a silvicultural regime developed over many decades that aims to grow uniformly large diameter, small branched final crop trees for final harvesting. To achieve this outcome radiata pine stands:
- Are planted with high stocking rates (1350 – 1850 stems per ha) to control branch size in the butt log (the first six metres).
- Receive at least three thinnings per rotation;
- Have poorer formed or smaller diameter trees removed during the periodic thinnings;
This allows the better formed dominant trees to produce larger and more valuable logs faster.
Deciding to harvest: - Is the forest commercial?
Many factors will influence whether aplantation is commercial such as:
- Area – harvest costs are greater with smaller plantations. More than 20 hectares is preferable, but at least 10 hectares.
- Distance from mills – a plantation a long distance from mills is more costly to harvest.
- Proximity to other forests and harvesting operations. Plantations close together could be harvested together to increase total area.
The reality of supply and demand may well over ride these influences. Most markets are predominantly supplied by large industrial forest growers. A plantation close to the mill may be difficult to market during periods of over supply, but never assume that one knock back means your plantation is not commercial.
Silviculture:
Harvesting normally occurs when the forest is due for a thinning and there are products that can be recovered. The frequency and type of thinning depends on the forest itself and the rate of tree growth. Faster growing stands would be thinned earlier and more often, and slower growing stands, such as those in lower rainfall areas, will need longer between thinning operations.
Table 1: shows the typical range of thinning regimes and products recovered.
Table 1: A general thinning guide for radiata pine plantations on average sites in South Australia.
Markets:
Radiata pine plantation after first thinning
Marketing is having the right product, for the right customer, in the right quantities, at the right time, in the right place and at the right price. Forestry companies, log marketers and purchasers can advise you of current market conditions and supply quotes accordingly. Check out the Australian Pine Log Price Index on the Plantations 2020 site under:
The 2020 Vision. http://www.plantations2020.com.au
Markets exist for all products within the Green Triangle region with processing plants located near Mt Gambier, Nangwarry, Millicent, Tarpeena and Heywood. There is also an export market at Portland for some products. In the Mount Lofty Ranges there is a more limited market for thinnings. Processing plants are located near Adelaide, Kuitpo, Monarto, Loxton, and Jamestown.
Finance:
If a plantation is commercial there is a reasonable amount of flexibility in the timing of harvesting operations to exploit market conditions. The following financial considerations may also influence your choice of timing of thinning and clear felling:
1. When do you need the money?
2. Would you like harvest payments spread over 2 financial years?
3. Tax implications?
4. Have you signed a marketing agreement specifying when trees are to be clearfelled?
5. How high are your annual costs of management or insurance?
Fowarder operator during 2nd thinning operations
