Forest Products Industry

The bushfire came within 30m of this Huon pine (centre), which is estimated to be around 3,000 years old. Source: Timberbiz, photo Micah Visoiu A 3000-year-old Huon pine and several high-conservation stands of ancient trees have been confirmed to be intact and undamaged by the bushfires impacting Tasmania’s rugged West Coast. Minister for Parks, Nick Duigan, said these bushfires have been devastating for the West Coast, but this news will provide some relief. “A team of natural values specialists from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania conducted an aerial assessment of impacts of the Yellowband Creek bushfire, and were relieved to see the trees intact,” Mr Duigan said. The assessment consisted of a low-level helicopter flight of the length of the Harman and Wilson Rivers to observe impacted vegetation. NRE Tas Senior Ecologist Steve Leonard said the inspection confirmed the main Huon pines along both rivers remained intact. “The only impacts on Huon pine observed were a handful of scorched trees on the lower Harman River, which are outside of the main Huon pine stand. There is also a reasonable chance that these trees will survive,” Dr Leonard said. Across the Yellowband Plain fireground, rainforest boundaries have held, meaning impact to the rainforest is minimal. “We were pretty excited after flying through the landscape to come to this island of intact forest and see these magnificent old trees,” Dr Leonard said. “These Huon pine forests have immense conservation significance, so their survival through this bushfire is a great outcome.” Dr Leonard said the forests had managed to hold on in the landscape until now because they occur in areas of natural fire refuge. “However, we can’t just rely on natural fire protection, and we’ve seen as part of the current response is that actions like water bombing, retardant drops and sprinkler lines can be very effective in bolstering natural refuges and preventing fire impacts to these significant natural values.” One tree in the Harman River stand is about 3000 years old, and it is likely a number of other trees in the stand are a similar age. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said water bombing had been used to bolster the natural fire protection of the stand. “PWS fire crews have used the latest technology available to tackle the current bushfires. Our strategy remains focused on early detection and rapid response,” Ms Edwards said. “We use state-of-the art remote cameras units coupled with satellite technology to detect dry lightning strikes and monitor for hotspots. We also conduct planned burns to reduce the risk of bushfires and help preserve ecosystems across our reserve estate. “Planned burns in the West Coast area over recent years have proven effective at containing the edges and slowing the spread of a number of the current fires. Our winch crews have also been invaluable in getting into more remote fires quickly to contain their spread.” Mr Duigan commended Parks teams on their efforts to preserve these areas of high conservation value. “I’d like to thank the fire crews incident management teams and all of our support staff right across all three agencies – Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, Tasmania Fire Service and Sustainable Timber Tasmania. Our thoughts remain with everyone involved, we appreciate your dedication and commitment to the ongoing response,” Mr Duigan said.

University of Queensland studies have used a natural tree sap gum and light to extend the shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables to combat food waste. Source: Timberbiz The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) research used edible coatings made from gum Arabic or acacia gum enriched with extracts from native Australian plants to stop the growth of spoilage causing microorganisms. The research team also used light and curcumin, a compound extracted from turmeric, to deactivate fungal spores on food. QAAFI’s Dr Maral Seididamyeh said both methods were effective in keeping food fresh for longer. “Using our edible coating, we were able to prevent the growth of spoilage microorganisms in freshly cut capsicum for around 10 days in the fridge,” Dr Seididamyeh said. “This was mostly due to the organic acids and phenolic compounds found in the aqueous extracts of plants like Cape York lilly pilly, boonjee tamarind, and Tasmanian pepper leaves. “These extracts showed promising antimicrobial properties, and the sensory analysis also revealed the fruit looked and smelt better. “The curcumin-based photosensitisation technique completely deactivated the fungal spores responsible for grey mould in fresh produce. “When applied to strawberries, it reduced decay incidence and severity by 20% without compromising the fruit’s colour or firmness.” Dr Seididamyeh said chemical-free methods for preventing food spoilage were in demand. “Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites are becoming resistant to synthetic chemicals used to preserve food,” Dr Seididamyeh said. “Consumers are increasingly favouring products made with natural preservatives over synthetic additives.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ data showed 17% of food was lost to spoilage and other issues at retail outlets and in homes. “The research results are promising but more work is needed especially since photosensitisation is a relatively new concept in the food industry,” Dr Seididamyeh said. “Photosensitisation is already used in medicine through photodynamic therapy to destroy abnormal cells in treatment for cancer and precancerous conditions. “The edible gum coating, embedded with extracts from native Australian foods and leaves, and curcumin are currently quite expensive. “To help make this a mainstream solution further funding will be needed to refine the technology for its integration into commercial packing and processing lines.” The research was funded by Hort Innovation, the Department of Primary Industries and the Australian Research Council. The research was published in the Journal of Food Science, Food Control and Foods, and the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

The Tasmanian Timber Webinar Series is a must-attend for professionals in architecture, construction, design, and manufacturing, offering expert insights into Tasmania’s sustainable timber industry.  There are three in the series starting on 5 March. Source: Timberbiz Hosted by Mick Lee, a leader in the timber industry with more than 30 years of experience, the series explores key aspects of Tasmanian timber resources, sustainability, certification, and product applications. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge about Tasmania’s responsibly managed forests, the role of plantation timber in construction, and advancements in engineered wood products. The series will also delve into environmental management, certification processes, and the sustainable harvesting of native and plantation timbers. Additionally, participants will receive comprehensive information on Tasmanian timber species, their unique properties, and the technical resources available to support their use in various applications. This series is essential for those seeking to make informed decisions about sustainable, local timber in their projects. Tasmanian Timber: Products, Availability, Technical Information, and Our Resources – 5 March. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse range of Tasmanian timber products, their availability, and essential technical information. Attendees will gain insights into various species, exploring their unique properties and the vast selection of applications. The webinar will also highlight valuable resources such as brochures, factsheets, flooring guides, and installer support, all available on the Tasmanian Timber website. This session is vital for industry professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of Tasmanian timber products and resources, enabling them to make informed decisions in their projects. Register here. Sustainability and Certification: Environmental management, native forests and old growth forests – 2 April. This session will aim to deepen specifiers understanding of sustainable forest management practices in Tasmania. The webinar will delve into the Tasmanian Forest Practices System, which governs all forestry operations on both public and private lands, ensuring sustainable management across the state’s forest estate. Participants will gain insights into the certification processes that align with internationally recognised standards, ensuring that species sourced and processed in Tasmania from certified native forests and plantations are sustainably managed. This session is essential for industry professionals committed to sustainable building practices, offering valuable knowledge on environmental management and the certification processes that uphold the integrity of Tasmania’s native and old growth forests. Register here. The future of the Plantation timber resource – 7 May Attendees will learn about the availability of plantation timber products, both current and upcoming, that are shaping the future of construction. The webinar will feature expert speaker Michael Lee, who brings more than 30 years of industry experience, with a deep understanding of quality control, technical production, and sustainable innovation. Michael’s expertise has driven groundbreaking advancements in the use of plantation eucalypts for cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (GLT). This session is a must-attend for builders, designers, and architects passionate about sustainable building practices that benefit both the environment and the community. Participants will gain valuable insights into sustainable building practices and the future of plantation timber in construction. Register here.

UPM Timber has launched a carbon storage calculator on its website. With the carbon storage calculator, wood industry professionals, UPM Timber’s customers and consumers can easily calculate the amount of carbon sequestered in wood raw material and examine its climate impacts. Source: Timberbiz “The carbon storage calculator provides the user with a clear measure of the emissions that have been generated by the production and transportation of the wood raw material needed for a specific project. “It also provides a clear measure of the carbon that has been stored when the project is completed. The tool brings the climate impact of our raw material choices closer to everyday life, helping us all make more sustainable decisions,” said Antti Koulumies, Vice President, UPM Timber. Wood is an excellent building material due to its renewability, durability, and carbon sequestration capacity. Using wood as a building material significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to materials that require more fossil fuels in their production. In Finland, the new building law, which came into effect at the beginning of 2025, aims to promote emission reduction and the circular economy. From 2026 onwards, the initiator of a construction project must demonstrate the origin of the building materials, the amount of energy used in their production and transportation, and the emissions they cause. UPM Timber’s carbon storage calculator helps the user to better understand the role of sawn timber as a long-term carbon storage. “The foundation of UPM’s strategy is to create value for society – both as a responsible company and through renewable and sustainable solutions. UPM Timber’s carbon storage calculator defines one approach of value creation, the carbon dioxide stored in wood products,” said Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility at UPM. UPM Timber aims to be a frontrunner in environmental responsibility in its industry, and thanks to fossil-free production, UPM Timber’s emissions are already quite low. The new carbon storage calculator is part of UPM Timber’s continuous effort to increase transparency in the value chain and provide its customers with tools to promote sustainability.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012. The Day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Source: Timberbiz On each International Day of Forests, countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. In 2025, forests and foods is the theme for the day, celebrating the crucial roles of forests in food security, nutrition and livelihoods. In addition to providing food, fuel, income and employment, forests support soil fertility, protect water resources, and offer habitats for biodiversity, including vital pollinators. They are essential for the survival of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples, and contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon. FAO is also proudly celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025 and FAO International Day of Forests events will mark this occasion by showcasing actions and best practices that promote a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food.