REFORESTATION OF FORMER FARM SITES ON THE NORTH COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

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Abstract
The re-establishment of Eucalyptus grandis (Flooded Gum), saligna (Bluegum) and pilularis (Blackbutt) on former farm sites can be carried out successfully and economically at Coffs Harbour by the planting of suitably raised nursery stock. Removal of grass in strips and associated cultivation is necessary site preparation. Spot sowing succeeds if the seed is dieldrin-dusted but is less reliable than planting. Growth of planted seedlings on such sites may exceed 10 feet in height by the end of the first year, but this is achieved only if nitrogenous fertiliser is applied in the year of planting. Provenance trials have shown that there is no major genetic improvement in the Eucalyptus grandis growing stock which gives fast growth in plantations in South Africa as compared with the low growth rate in native forests in Australia. In the first year of growth on grassy sites at Coffs Harbour insect attack is usually at a low level and generally plays little part in reducing the growth rate at that stage. It is likely therefore that the poor growth in Australia in the first year under such conditions is due mainly to nutrient limitations and not losses due to leaf-eating insects.

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