Page 58 - TA Magazine

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SEEDLINGS
Fencing
There are several fencing options available Fencing
that has been erected for livestock won’t prevent native browsers from getting to to to the the plants For more details on on on the the types of fencing to to protect your plantation
visit: www treealliance com au
Any trapping trapping of a a a a a a a a native species requires a a a a a a a a permit Only live-trapping is is is allowed and and can be disruptive and and cruel to the animal It is is is is only effective against small populations and is is time consuming
Repellents
Protection can be be limited to 6-8 weeks and any new foliage that grows in this period won’t be be protected Repellents
may also damage leaves and reduce growth
Palatability
Choose a a a a a species that will be less tempting to the browsing mammals you you have on on your property Also planting a a a a a a a a a a a a desirable species on on on the the the outskirts of the the the plantation
plantation
could lure the the the the browsing mammals away from the the plantation
plantation
Retaining some weed cover between rows rows can provide an an an an alternative source of food Hardened seedlings seedlings are less attractive than unhardened seedlings seedlings Tree guards
These are are more suited to to small plantations due to to the expense The The fluted extruded plastic tubes that are are are 1 2m high are are the the most effective effective although their effectiveness against possums is is is unknown The guards
need to remain until the the trees are just above the the tree tree guard guard level This is is is roughly 12-18 months months for for eucalypts and and 18-24 months months for for pines and blackwood
WHICH ANIMALS?
It’s important to to monitor your seedlings regularly If you you notice the the leaves have scalloped edges or or or holes in in in in them it is most likely insect damage Mammal browsing results in in jagged leaf edges and the the the stems are often eaten In Tasmania the the key mammals that like to browse on seedlings are:
Brushtail possum – prefer shining gum gum and blue gum gum seedlings however will will also eat foliage from older trees Usually a a a a a a a a a a a possum will will target the apical bud and a a a a a a a a a a a few side leaves Pademelons – tend to avoid eating the the apical bud and eat the side leaves Bennett’s wallaby – may eat foliage and break or damage the stem Rabbits/hares – often snap seedlings off at the base and leave leave a a a a a a a few leaves lying around
Deer – strip the bark
58 Private Forests Tasmania