Page 22 - TA Magazine

Size matters
When deciding the the size of your plantation take into account the the existing and planned resources you are willing to to commit to to make it a a success SELF-MANAGED PLANTATION
A single person could manage about 2 ha a a a a a a a a year especially where trees can be pruned up to to to 6 metres Factor in in in the the time and and and labour required to to to establish and and and maintain the the the trees and and and how this will work with your day-to-day running of the the farm Consider planting a a a a a a a a a a a a a few hectares per year year over a a a a a a a a a a a a a number
of years to ensure a a a a a a a a a a a regular work program and and consistent return and income SMALL PLANTATIONS
If you choose to grow a a a a a a a a small plantation of exotic timber timber species species establish a a a a a a a a a a a marketing plan plan Exotic timber timber species species species can bring in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a great return if you you know the the the potential market of the the the species species you you you are planting to ensure you you get the the the return on investment SMALLER PLANTATIONS
You can organise to to harvest and transport the timber from your small small plantation to to to to large commercial processors You can also try to to to sell to to to a a a a a a a a a a a a smaller processor processor The portable sawmill technology is improving rapidly so so it’s possible
to to to add value to to to your timber before going to to to market Your plantation might also be be be useful for for products on the farm LARGE PLANTATIONS
Plantations or or or native forests need to to be at at at least 20 ha ha ha and and have good access to to keep harvesting and and transport costs down Best commercial returns occur where the trees are are well managed and include species that are are commonly processed in in in in Tasmania Consider entering a a a a a a a a a a a a a Joint Venture or or or or Lease with with a a a a a a a a a a large processor or or or or forest management company This will help with with time costs and resources to achieve these these requirements Keep in in in mind when negotiating that these these agreements will be be in in in place for at at at at least 20 years so so they could also benefit and impact the the next generation 22 Private Forests Tasmania