Forest rehabilitation methods work well
Graeme Gooding, executive director, Victorian Association of Forest Industries
The Age (letter), 23/2/2000
Re "How foresters must change their ways" (19/12), Tracey O'Brien claims
the timber industry believes it cannot rehabilitate native areas after
harvesting because it is too expensive. I strongly dispute that.
The Current rehabilitation methods work well and are economically efficient.
After harvesting-the site is burnt to remove slash and gain bare soil.
This is then resown or planted with seedlings native to the area. Sometimes
selected trees are left to drop seed into prepared earth. The area is later
checked to ensure adequate seedlings have established. If not, further
work is undertaken.