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Shelterbelts with a timber option
It has been suggested that a conventional
sheep and cattle grazing enterprise in southern Australia
can increase, or at least maintain agricultural production,
if up to about 10 per cent of the farm’s land is strategically
planted with trees. Where the trees are best placed depends
on the farm’s aspect, soil and other resources. The trees
might need to be established in continuous narrow belts aligned
to reduce damaging winds and in special areas for stock shelter—for
example during lambing and calving or immediately after shearing.
Farmers who can achieve these design criteria, and include
timber species managed for high value markets, might be able
to develop a valuable resource that can be harvested when
needed.
The shelter benefits justify the land, fencing and other establishment
costs. The additional expenses are low. They include the time
spent researching possible timber markets and silvicultural
options and the few hours extra management to ensure the trees
produce a saleable product. The multiple values dramatically
reduce the risks and costs. If, for whatever reason, the trees
are unsaleable when mature, the farmer still has the shelter
and other values to enjoy.
Trees for
wind shelter
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