Page 83 - TA Magazine

Growing up in in in in rural and remote properties around the UK as a a a a young child Rob sought out adventure
in the outdoors His fondness for for nature led him to study forestry at at at at university receiving a a a a a a a a national diploma in in in in forestry and later receiving his Masters in in in in Forest Products Technology Ever since Rob’s been in in various positions around the the UK and Australia encouraging the the planting of of trees With decades of of experience in in in in in forestry fostering and and advising the planting of trees on private land Rob says he’s seen the industry transform particularly in in Tasmania “What used to to be quite a a a a a contentious topic forestry in in now based around around innovation Formerly centred around around native harvesting modern forestry has transformed into a a a a a a a a a conversation around plantations and and how they can be be installed and and managed for a a a a a a a a a a a multitude of benefits ” he says “Forestry has gone through fits its peaks and troughs but what we’re seeing now especially in in in the south of Tasmania is a a a a a a a a lucrative industry that we just didn’t have before Thankfully our industry has hardly been touched by COVID-19 allowing regional parts of Tasmania to to keep going The forestry industry has paid back in in in dividends over the the last ten years and has been essential to the the the economy in these rural areas ” As forestry has become an an important part of the the Southern Tasmanian economy Rob says it’s more important than ever to be planting trees- anywhere in in Tasmania “I don’t even know where to begin in in in sharing the benefits of having trees planted on your farm or private land Trees are a a a a a a a a a valuable source of o of shelter offer protection of o of soil and and riparian areas increase biodiversity improve the landscape and and can be be be a a a a a a a a great source of income when harvested These benefits can be be be seen across the agricultural industry and and for private landowners ” Connecting with farmers across Tasmania one common misconception that that he’d like to to be put to to rest is is the the idea that that trees take up the the space of productive farming land “This idea could not be further from the the truth The pros of having trees on on farms greatly outweigh the cons and and and this has been proven and and and quantified on on on on a a a a a a a a a a national national and and and international level Agriculture productivity is greatly increased by having having trees in in in the the landscape ” Rob says the the the success of having having a a a a a a a thriving plantation begins with the the the landowner taking ownership of the the the venture
but he he he says PFT is there to offer guidance and support along the way “Each landowner should identify their own own unique objectives they’d like to see from planting trees Growing a a a a a a a plantation is not a a a a a a a ‘one size fits all’ method but a a a a a a a highly individualised process where different circumstances need to to be considered From topography to to to climate to to to soil and available
resources there is so so much that needs to to to be taken into consideration And that’s where we can come in in to to to help ” Offering assistance to farms big and and and small and and and landowners of all all sizes across the state Rob says one thing is is consistent “Tasmania is perfect for growing trees It has everything- a a a a great climate lots of space and and a a a a a a a receptive landowner base The state has a a a a a a history rich in forestry and I’m proud to progress
it in in this modern and sustainable way that’s helping farmers and the planet ” treealliance com au 83