Setup (4): Team Planning for Re-planting

Pre 2000’s the accepted narrative for establishing reforestation projects was preparation >plant>photo opp> move on. 3 year post reforestation maintenance programs is now the narrative in most projects depending on location.(Marcus Yates, 2024)

The following are notes I’ve made to track the plan for the regeneration process:

Suggested Planting date in active site approx. Thurs April 25^th

Preparation

Slash the area 6 weeks prior to date of planting 21 March 2024

Position site pegs across gully from east -west
Spray 1m diameter circles around planning site with appropriate herbicide and emerging woody environmental weeds (Biactive – surfactant does not harm aquatic organisms) with the addition of Fulvic acid which increases biodegradability of the glyphosate molecule, increases soil carbon and reduces herbicide/water ration by 1/3) + a squirt of dishwashing liquid (breaks the surface tension of H2O thus increasing contact with the cuticle of leaves
Spray again 1 week prior to planting. April 18th 2024

Aerial burn site of regeneration area, SERF. — SERF Aerial burn Site (Image courtesy QUT REF Team)

Planting

Purchase selected spp from local nurseries. Ensures hardier stock grown from parent trees from the local provenance
Sun “harden’ stock in full sun for 2 weeks prior to planting April 9th 2024
Mechanical dig planting hole a day or two before planting date. April 23^rd
Must have adequate sub soil moisture on the day of the planting.Otherwise reschedule
Saturate plants on the morning of the planting
Group demonstration of the techniques used to eliminate/minimise transplant stress
Place inoculated soil in planting hole
Secure weed mat and tree guard. Tree guards create a micro climate of increased humidity and protects against the wind, reducing the plant losing moisture from transpiration (reduces transplant stress). Protects from herbicide overspray and animals grazing (wallabies and hares)

Overlapping eucalypt leaves — Overlapping Eucalypt Leaves, SERF, 2024 (Image Keith Armstrong)

Maintenance

Replant plant losses when suitable.
6 -10 week Spray routines around plants and neighbouring woody weeds (dependent on local weather conditions and seasons)
Slash when required
Brush cut inter rows (when required)
Form prune to retain one leader when required (approx. 1st and 3^rd month post planting)
Remove tree guards when tree is 3 x height of guard
Continued monitoring of natural regen
Interplant where required

Relevant read:

https://ris.cdu.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/72716695/Preece_et_al_2023_JEnvMgt.pdf