Australian timber industry news

With the Komatsu 898, Komatsu Forest is taking the next step in the development of large forwarders adapted for plantation forestry in South America as well as final felling in Australia, North America, and Europe. Source: Timberbiz A new powerful engine, robust transmission, and a large load space with a wide range of customisation options for different needs are just a few of the advantages that make the Komatsu 898 meet the market’s demands in the largest segment. Komatsu 898 is a further development of the popular final felling forwarder Komatsu 895, adapted to handle even larger loads. The model is available in a standard version with 8 wheels, but for forwarding in plantations on flat terrain, the 6-wheel version can be a cost-effective alternative. The 898 has a robust load space with many possibilities for adjustments. The gate can be telescopically adjusted, and the foldable widening wings can be locked in the retracted or extended position. There is also an option to make the gate slide along the direction of the rear frame. The bunks have telescopic widening and can be equipped with hydraulically height-adjustable stakes. This increases productivity during loading and unloading by reducing the height that the timber must be lifted over the supports – something that also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. The Komatsu 898 has a new generation diesel engine. It is a powerful 7.5-litre AGCO engine with high performance and good fuel economy, with the new CORE platform. Maximum power is 250 kW and maximum torque is 1450 Nm. The engine has a large radiator and hydraulically driven cooling fan, which allows the speed to be adjusted dynamically depending on the cooling needs. As an option, the cooling fan can be made reversible, making it easy to reverse the airflow and blow away debris. The AdBlue system has a robust design, and a new feature is that the AdBlue filter is now located outside the tank, making it easy to access when the filter needs to be changed. The 898 has two strong crane configurations, 165F (standard) and 205F (optional). The Komatsu 205F crane has a lifting torque of 205 kNm and a swing torque of 51.9 kNm. It’s developed with an emphasis on increased productivity in final felling and plantation forestry. The crane has a robust, welded pillar that, together with the main boom and outer boom, provides both good lifting height and lifting geometry. It can be selected with a reach of 7.5/8.5 m with single telescope or 10 m with double telescope. For the 205F, the largest grapple model, G88H, is available as an option, with a tip-to-tip area of 0.55 m2, and a powerful rotator. Komatsu 898 has a strong powertrain with a large bogie axle and the wheels are well dimensioned for the task – the rear wheels measuring 30.5” and the front wheels 28.5”. Together with the 345 kN max tractive effort (8WD), this enables the machine to move effortlessly in the terrain, even with heavy loads. The 898 8WD is equipped with a new generation hydrostatic transmission with a large hydrostatic pump and dual hydraulic motors. This provides similar characteristics to the 895 with XT transmission, but with even higher traction force. The new hydrostatic motors are designed to handle higher pressure and higher speeds, which allows more power to be delivered to the wheels. This, combined with the powerful diesel engine, makes the machine even more powerful. The dual hydraulic motors provide high speed in the first gear, which also contributes to high productivity. The Komatsu 898 has a new generation diesel engine. It is a powerful 7.5-litre AGCO engine with high performance and good fuel economy, with the new CORE platform. Maximum power is 250 kW and maximum torque is 1450 Nm. The engine has a large radiator and hydraulically driven cooling fan, which allows the speed to be adjusted dynamically depending on the cooling needs. As an option, the cooling fan can be made reversible, making it easy to reverse the airflow and blow away debris. The AdBlue system has a robust design, and a new feature is that the AdBlue filter is now located outside the tank, making it easy to access when the filter needs to be changed. The 898 has two strong crane configurations, 165F (standard) and 205F (optional). The Komatsu 205F crane has a lifting torque of 205 kNm and a swing torque of 51.9 kNm. It’s developed with an emphasis on increased productivity in final felling and plantation forestry. The crane has a robust, welded pillar that, together with the main boom and outer boom, provides both good lifting height and lifting geometry. It can be selected with a reach of 7.5/8.5 m with single telescope or 10 m with double telescope. For the 205F, the largest grapple model, G88H, is available as an option, with a tip-to-tip area of 0.55 m2, and a powerful rotator. Komatsu 898 has a strong powertrain with a large bogie axle and the wheels are well dimensioned for the task – the rear wheels measuring 30.5” and the front wheels 28.5”. Together with the 345 kN max tractive effort (8WD), this enables the machine to move effortlessly in the terrain, even with heavy loads. The 898 8WD is equipped with a new generation hydrostatic transmission with a large hydrostatic pump and dual hydraulic motors. This provides similar characteristics to the 895 with XT transmission, but with even higher traction force. The new hydrostatic motors are designed to handle higher pressure and higher speeds, which allows more power to be delivered to the wheels. This, combined with the powerful diesel engine, makes the machine even more powerful. The dual hydraulic motors provide high speed in the first gear, which also contributes to high productivity.  

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In collaboration with the AI company Terra Labs, Södra is now launching an initiative to ensure that members have continuous access to regularly updated insights about their forests. Source: Timberbiz Broad knowledge of forest owners’ needs is being combined with AI, automated data, and new working methods to provide members with the best possible decision-making support regarding their forest. The forest management plan, a central tool in a forest owner’s planning and decision-making, has remained largely unchanged for decades. Södra is now leading a major project to develop planners’ tools using remote sensing and next-generation AI technology. “We are now on the brink of a technological leap that will give us access to automated forestry data in a new way. Empowering our members in their forest ownership and decision-making is a key part of our mission, and we aim to create even better decision support for forest owners,” said Peter Karlsson, Head of Södra Skog. There is significant potential to streamline work through automated forestry data, which, among other benefits, reduces the need for field measurements. To achieve this, Södra is developing its own Planner App, used on a tablet in conjunction with new remote sensing data. Södra has now entered into a long-term partnership with Terra Labs to ensure stable access to highly accurate and frequently updated data. The joint development work to adapt and train the AI model has been ongoing for several months. “We’ve contributed various perspectives to the development process and have now found solutions that provide us with very high-quality forest information. We are leading the market here and will soon be able to offer Södra’s members the best possible information about their forests, which we hope will enhance the member experience,” says Peter Karlsson. The app for forest planners will be launched this autumn, and in parallel, the forest management plan is being developed as a product. The aim is to make more information available via the member portal Min skogsgård, thereby transforming the forest management plan into a more dynamic decision-making tool where members have greater opportunities to actively engage with their plans. Terra Labs is a new AI-based platform that inventories and analyses forests in real time using satellite data, with the goal of enabling the next major technological shift in the industry.

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The US’ Agriculture secretary will scrap the ‘roadless rule’ that protects lands including the largest old growth forest in the country. The Trump administration will rescind protections that prevent logging on nearly a third of national forest lands, including the largest old growth forest in the country, the agriculture secretary, Brooke Rollins, announced on Monday. Sources: The Guardian, Associated Press The announcement will be followed by a formal notice rescinding the “roadless rule”, a nickname for the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, in coming weeks, the Associated Press reports. The rule prohibits road building and logging on all national forest land without roads, accounting for about 59m acres (24m hectares) of US national forest land. Rollins shared the news at a gathering of the Western Governors’ Association in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where hundreds had gathered outside to protest against congressional efforts to sell off large swaths of public lands. There, the interior secretary, Doug Burgum, spoke of a new “era of abundance” on public lands, describing Donald Trump’s efforts to extract more natural resources for domestic manufacturing. “President Trump is removing absurd obstacles to commonsense management of our natural resources by rescinding the overly restrictive roadless rule,” said Rollins. “This move opens a new era of consistency and sustainability for our nation’s forests. It is abundantly clear that properly managing our forests preserves them from devastating fires and allows future generations of Americans to enjoy and reap the benefits of this great land.” Republican lawmakers from western states celebrated the announcement while environmental groups expressed dismay. On social media, the Republican representative for Alaska, Nick Begich, said: “Alaska’s forests are one of our state’s greatest natural assets and the ‘Roadless Rule’ has long stifled responsible forest management, blocked access to critical resources, and halted economic opportunity.” The Republican congresswoman Harriet Hageman of Wyoming also posted on social media, writing: “This outdated policy has long hindered effective forest management.” Meanwhile, the Sierra Club’s forest campaign manager, Alex Craven, said in a statement: “Once again, the Trump administration is ignoring the voices of millions of Americans to pursue a corporate giveaway for his billionaire buddies. Stripping our national forests of roadless rule protections will put close to 60m acres of wildlands across the country on the chopping block. That means polluting our clean air and drinking water sources to pad the bottom lines of timber and mining companies – all while pursuing the same kind of mismanagement that increases wildfire severity.” In its announcement, the US Department of Agriculture cited concerns about increasing wildfire risk as reasoning for constructing roads through national forest land: “Nearly 60% of forest service land in Utah is restricted from road development and is unable to be properly managed for fire risk. In Montana, it is 58%, and in Alaska’s Tongass national forest, the largest in the country, 92% is impacted.” Journalist Ben Goldfarb, author of the book Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, questioned that logic on social media, writing: the “vast majority of fires occur near roads. They’re worsening risk”. The decision also aligns with Trump’s executive order “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation”, the USDA said, to “get rid of overcomplicated, burdensome barriers that hamper American business and innovation”. During the latter part of Trump’s first term, the federal government lifted restrictions on logging and road-building in the Tongass, something the Biden administration later reversed.

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Forestry Corporation is reminding residents to purchase firewood authorisations before collecting wood from State forests. Recent updates have been made to Forestry Corporation’s online firewood permit page improving the user experience. Source: Timberbiz The conditions for firewood collection have also been updated and should be understood prior to entering State forests. The system now distinguishes some locations between pine and native hardwood forests, making firewood collection easier for authorisation holders. “State forests in NSW continue to offer the public an affordable way of collecting firewood, with authorisations ranging from $8 to $30 per tonne depending on location, with pensioner discounts also available,” Forestry Corporation’s Governance Officer – Forests and Land, Melanie Klootwijk said. “These prices have remained stable for many years, which is important for regional communities in cooler climates where firewood is essential for heating.” Authorisations allow the public to collect between one and three tonnes of firewood per visit, depending on the location. Each selected forest collection area is clearly mapped when applying for an authorisation. The areas available for firewood collection change each year and are generally areas where timber harvesting has taken place. Firewood can only be collected from the ground — felling standing trees is strictly prohibited. Authorisation holders must print maps of the collection areas and carry the map when collecting firewood to avoid confusion and penalty notices up to $200 if found not to be adhering to the permit conditions Forestry Corporation urges authorisation holders to practice safe chainsaw use and wear protective equipment. Firewood collection is prohibited during Solid Fuel Fire bans — authorisations cannot be used when a ban is active, even if purchased beforehand. For more information visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au  

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Two Scion programs have received a second round of government funding for collaborative research with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aimed at increasing water flow and wildfire knowledge and preparedness in New Zealand. Source: Timberbiz The NZ$2.35 million (excluding GST) from the government’s Catalyst fund will enable Scion to undertake three-year research programs into observing water flows through forests and investigating wildfire and drought risks. Both programs are based on feasibility studies completed thanks to the first stage of Catalyst funding. The water flows research builds on results from Scion’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded Forest Flows program, which researched forest hydrology in study sites around New Zealand, including an 1800ha catchment in Northland’s Te Hiku Forest. The new program, a collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, will focus on the Aupōuri Peninsula’s Te Hiku region (Northland). It will use data from multiple NASA satellite missions to generate a new way to accurately measure water use for different land uses and how it varies across the region. The program will also monitor how water moves across the region above and below ground. Scion research lead Dean Meason says this research could provide new insights for freshwater management at scales previously not thought possible. “This gives us the opportunity to address concerns about water use and availability and increase understanding of water use and water flow throughout Te Hiku.” The wildfire and drought risk study aims to build a publicly accessible near-real-time fuel moisture and fuel type system. Program lead and Scion fire ecologist Shana Gross says accurate data on the moisture content within living vegetation can provide information on how fire could spread through vegetation and identify areas where insects and disease pose a risk to drought-stressed vegetation. “This can lead to more accurate wildfire predictions improving warning systems and reducing economic and environmental loss due to wildfire and drought.” Scion is partnering with NASA’s Ames Research Centre, the Australian National University, the US Forest Service, Fire and Emergency NZ and the University of Canterbury on this program. Both research programs will now collect field and remotely sensed data to build models for development of the near-real-time systems. The partnership with NASA on both programs gives Scion’s teams access to state-of-the art technology and expertise to develop their research and build partnerships with a world leader in space research – and to help with solutions to climate change-driven challenges.  

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Erben’s 35-storey timber tower on the fringe of Perth’s CBD has been greenlit by the City of Perth’s Metro Inner Development Panel. Source: Australian Property Markets News Designed by Rothelowman, with planning and landscape by Urbis, the project will be one of the world’s tallest hybrid timber towers and deliver 351 build-to-rent apartments, including studios, 1- and 2-bed apartments, and 64 short-stay accommodation units. This innovative development is thoughtfully designed to foster a strong sense of community, introducing a new residential model to Perth that sets a new standard for high-quality rental living – designed with a generous eye for life. The project prioritises an aspirational lifestyle, encouraging greater interaction among residents through carefully curated communal spaces and uniquely crafted apartments. 108 Stirling Street embraces hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction, reinforced by a concrete core and mass timber columns. This pioneering system minimises carbon footprint, enhances structural efficiency, and injects natural warmth and character into interior spaces. The design prioritises buildability, carefully considering material production, transportation, and modularity to optimise its sustainable impact and construction. A defining feature of 108 Stirling Street is its generous ground-plane urban bushland, introducing native trees and landscaped pedestrian linkages that promote a walkable and vibrant precinct. The scheme protects the existing mature street trees along Stirling and Aberdeen Streets, enhancing Perth’s urban canopy and creating a cooler, more inviting public realm. “At 108 Stirling Street, accessible green space isn’t just a feature, it’s fundamental,” said Kylee Schoonens, Principal at Rothelowman. “It’s our way of stitching this precinct into the fabric of the city, creating a natural pause point that invites people in, encourages movement, and supports a more connected, walkable Perth. “We’re proud to be partnering with Erben on this landmark project. It’s a meaningful contribution to Perth’s Urban Greening Strategy, expanding inner-city bushland and using low-impact materials to ensure the project treads lightly while giving back to the city.” At street level, the tower’s Urban Room forecourt gives back to the public realm creating a harmonious interface between nature and the city. Designed to foster community interaction, the development features physically and visually connected rooftop and podium gardens, ensuring a sense of connectivity for residents from street level to skyline. Committed to achieving a Five-Star Green Star sustainability rating, 108 Stirling Street integrates rooftop PV panels, strategic landscaping to combat the urban heat island effect, and smart access to public transport, walkways, and bike paths to encourage eco-friendly mobility. Erben Managing Director Luke Reinecke said he is pleased to receive development approval on 108 Stirling Street. “This is as an exciting project for us and will offer the Perth market something unique through its innovative and sustainable design, extensive use of timber, and strong community focused offering, expanding the range of housing options available. It comes at an important time for Perth, when increasing housing supply is of utmost focus,” he said. Expected to reach completion in 2028, 108 Stirling Street will deliver 3,000 square metres of communal amenities, 900 square metres of resident storage, and 35 new trees furthering Perth’s urban regeneration while setting a new benchmark in sustainable residential design.

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Controlling gorse on private land is never as simple as it sounds and in a forestry context, its aggressive nature and environmental impacts mean landowners need more than good intentions. Source: Timberbiz Successful management of Tasmania’s highly invasive woody weed, Gorse (Ulex europaeus), in private forests demands adherence to regulations, coupled with a strategic, ecologically informed approach and a clear vision for future land use. Private Forests Tasmania Forestry Specialist Dion McKenzie said landowners need to be aware of regulatory requirements when undertaking gorse control in forested or woodland environments. Mr McKenzie said no gorse program should begin without consulting the Forest Practices Act 1985. Any operation that clears, pushes over or otherwise destroys trees capable of reaching five metres is a forest practice and usually needs a certified Forest Practices Plan (FPP). “If gorse control will remove, damage or kill native vegetation – even indirectly – it may be deemed tree‑clearing,” Mr McKenzie said. “Undertaking forest practices without an approved FPP can trigger compliance action by the Forest Practices Authority (FPA), including fines and remediation orders. “A phone call to a Forest Practices Officer before you start can save you money and grief.” Resources such as the Gorse Management Leaflet [add hyperlink] are available via the Forest Practices Authority and offer practical advice and regulatory guidance. A simple flow chart on the FPA website helps landowners decide whether their job is exempt. Mr McKenzie said gorse is highly flammable, aggressive in its spread, and tenacious in seed survival, it can choke out native vegetation, hinder forest operations, and elevate fire risks. “Firstly, it’s a prolific flowerer that can produce seed even when young – and older plants generate enormous seed banks,” Mr McKenzie said. “Secondly, those seeds have a hard coat and can survive in the soil for decades. “In a forestry context, gorse can limit access for any monitoring or active management such as pruning, and it can also increase the fire hazard significantly as it is highly flammable.” He said these traits mean any control method – whether mechanical, chemical, or fire – must be supported by an extended follow-up plan. Mr McKenzie said fire can in fact promote seed germination, meaning it may need to be used cautiously and only at the right time in the control process. Forestry consultant Alex Tabor said successful gorse control comes down to having a long-term management plan. Ms Tabor works with private landowners across Tasmania, helping them avoid unintended damage to native ecosystems when tackling weeds. “Getting rid of gorse is not actually the end goal. You need to have a clear vision for what you want that land to look like when the gorse is gone,” she said. “Woodland environments where gorse is present are often already under threat, and overly aggressive removal of gorse particularly using fire, can worsen the situation. “If you burn it too early, the gorse burns so hot you can kill all your trees, make the infestation worse, and possibly breach the Forest Practices Code.” From a practical forestry perspective, gorse also presents logistical and operational problems. “Selecting tree species that grow rapidly and are suited to the site can give them a competitive advantage,” Mr McKenzie said. “Good weed control during establishment and rapid early growth is essential. “A species with a dense canopy will shade out the understorey and reduce gorse germination over time. “Active managed planted forests can be a good option for assisting with gorse management and making land productive again.” The Gorse National Best Practice Manual is a science‑based guide to helping manage gorse and key actions in developing a control plan include: Define problem areas through property or control area mapping using aerial photos, existing maps, or hand-drawn visuals. Determine and map control priorities – rank infestations by priority, assess legal and ethical responsibilities, align with regional plans, and use overlays or GIS to map priorities and ecological considerations over a minimum five-year control plan. Determine integrated gorse management options by assessing available resources, legal requirements, potential impacts on neighbours, and planning for initial control, follow-up, and ongoing monitoring. Develop a financial plan by estimating management and labour costs for each infestation, budgeting for both short- and long-term control, considering available financial support, and including future follow-up actions. Develop a long-term, flexible gorse control schedule that enables annual follow-up, considers seasonal effectiveness and labour availability, and integrates with broader land management activities. Monitor and document gorse control efforts by mapping progress, recording methods and costs, checking for regrowth or new outbreaks annually, and taking repeat photos to assess effectiveness over time. Conduct annual follow-up of treated infestations using the most suitable method, as regrowth and new germination are likely to occur. Alex said many landowners underestimate the time and cost involved in gorse control, which she labelled and “open-ended problem”. “For major infestations, landowners should plan for a five-to-10-year control program, followed by ongoing maintenance to prevent re-establishment,” Ms Tabor said. “Budget on at least five to ten years of staged control, then lifelong surveillance. “Follow-up maintenance isn’t just once or twice – it’s ongoing, and it must be tailored to what’s coming back each time. “People often let gorse infestations go on for decades. Once you lose the diversity in these ecosystems, it’s hard to restore it. “The earlier you get in, the less intensive and expensive it will be.”

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OneFortyOne has launched a community survey in the Green Triangle region covering Southeast SA and Western Victoria. Source: Timberbiz The survey aims to gauge community awareness and perception of OneFortyOne, including recognition of the brand, understanding of the forestry and sawmilling company’s activities, and sentiment. OneFortyOne Corporate Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said the insights gathered will inform future engagement strategies and help strengthen community relationships. “We value the opinions of our community and want to hear from you,” she said. “Your feedback, positive or negative, will help improve how we engage and communicate.” The survey questions are mostly multiple choice, and designed to be simple, taking only about 10 minutes to complete. “This survey is your chance to have input into how OneFortyOne connects with the community,” Ms Riley said. The survey is anonymous; however, participants have the option of entering the draw to win one of 5 $250 VISA gift cards if they share their name and contact. The survey is open now, available online via www.surveymonkey.com/r/OneFortyOne it closes on 27th July 2025.

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The New Zealand Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme — Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament last night. Source: Timberbiz “This Bill is about protecting our most valuable land that grows food for export and sustains rural communities,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay said. “For too long, ETS incentives have driven the wrong outcomes for our rural sector.” “Once farms are planted in trees as a result of carbon credits we lose the ability to produce the high-quality safe food that consumers demand – and we lose rural jobs, export earnings, and the families that go with them. Today we are putting a stop to the harm that this has done to rural New Zealand.” The Bill will: Prevent exotic forests from entering the ETS on LUC 1–5 land (New Zealand’s most productive soil); Limit new ETS registrations on LUC 6 land to 15,000 hectares per year, allocated by ballot; Allow up to 25 per cent of a farm to go into the ETS, preserving landowner choice while ending full-farm conversions; Protect eligible Māori-owned land, and provide time-limited exemptions for pre-announced investments. The Bill includes temporary exemptions where an investor can provide evidence of a qualifying forestry investment between 1 January 2021 and 4 December 2024. For instance, the purchase of land and ordering of trees prior to 4 December 2024 would be an example of proof of a qualifying investment, whilst each of these actions alone would not. “The last Government sat back while 300,000 hectares of farmland were sold off for carbon credits. That short-sighted policy puts ideology ahead of long-term food security. We’re reversing that damage.” The new settings will take effect from 4 December 2024, with the law coming fully into force in October 2025.

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Forest & Wood Products Australia has released its Standard G01: Recycled Timber – Visually Graded for Structural Purposes, the first national guideline designed specifically for the visual grading of recycled hardwood timber for structural applications. Source: Timberbiz Through close engagement with industry, recyclers, engineers, and government, this Standard supports the use of more wood products in construction and lays the groundwork to assist with Australia’s transition to circular construction by ensuring the safe and reliable use of structural recycled timber. It complements existing standards for new sawn timber, while addressing the unique characteristics of reclaimed materials — such as signs of previous use ( bolt holes, notches), ageing, features, and variations in appearance and performance. This standard provides clear, nationally consistent grading criteria tailored to recycled structural timber. It promotes detailed communication between suppliers and purchasers, encourages sample inspections, and enables market confidence in recycled products through a quality assurance framework. The grades defined under this Standard are unique to recycled timber and should be used independently of existing standards (AS 2082 and AS 3818 series). “This standard reflects FWPA’s commitment to supporting circularity and environmental responsibility across the timber industry,” said Boris Iskra, National Codes & Standards Manager at FWPA. “By providing a consistent approach to grading recycled hardwood, we’re giving industry the confidence to produce recycled structural timber and specifier’s confidence to use this material in structural applications.  It’s a milestone in the broader effort to unlock the full potential of timber reuse in Australia.” The launch of FWPA Standard G01 follows the earlier publication of FWPA Standard G02: Recycled Timber – Visually Graded Decorative Products, which provides visual grading guidance for recycled hardwood used in non-structural and decorative applications. Like G01, the G02 standard was developed with input from a diverse group of stakeholders and includes both mandatory and advisory provisions to account for the distinct characteristics of recycled timber. Together, Standards G01 and G02 form a coordinated framework for the responsible reuse of hardwood timber, addressing both structural and aesthetic applications. They empower industry participants to make informed decisions that reduce waste, support sustainability, and build confidence in using recycled timber products. “This Standard fills a critical gap for builders and engineers seeking to incorporate recycled hardwood in structural projects,” said Michael Kennedy, CEO of Kennedy’s Timber. “It offers the clarity and confidence we need to promote more sustainable building choices.” To learn more and download the FWPA G01 Recycled Timber – Visually Graded for Structural Purposes click on https://fwpa.com.au/codes-standards/fwpa-standard-g01-recycled-timber-visually-graded-for-structural-purposes/

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An ancient oak tree in northern Greece is believed to be among the oldest surviving trees of its kind in Europe. Source: The Greek Reporter With a trunk diameter of 2.25 meters (7.38 feet) and a height of 23 meters (75 feet), botanists say that the giant oak, located just two kilometres from the main square of the town of Deskati, near Grevena, is approximately 1,300 years of age give or take 30 to 50 years. The residents of the town in northern Greece can now boast that they bask in the shadow of one of the oldest oak trees anywhere in Europe. It is located at an altitude of 658 meters (2,158 feet). The tree stirred the interest of the Municipality of Deskati both for the gigantic size of its trunk and its obvious age. “We decided to conduct a study with scientists, foresters and researchers to learn the age of the tree,” mayor Dimitris Karastergios told the Athens News Agency recently. Botanist Ioannis Spanos, a researcher from the Elgo-Dimitra General Directorate of Agricultural Research, took samples from the tree with his team, making special measurements of the rings in its trunk. After further study, they concluded that the age of the oak tree is an astounding 1,300 years old. All the necessary procedures were immediately initiated by the Deputy Secretary General of Decentralized Administration of Epirus-Western Macedonia, Vassilis Michelakis, to declare the oak tree a “preserved monument of nature.” Such a distinction, which confers scientific, ecological, historical, and cultural value signifies that the tree can be valuable in the future for educational purposes while also verifying for future caretakers that the living treasure needs special care and protection. “We should immediately begin its maintenance, such as removing dead branches, stuffing the hollow trunk with cork and disinfecting it,” Spanos said. In Greek mythology, the oak is the tree sacred to Zeus, the king of the gods. In Zeus’ oracle in Dodona, Epirus, the sacred oak was the centerpiece of the area, and the priests would divine the pronouncements of the god by interpreting the rustling of the oak’s leaves. The oak was by far the most dominant tree of the ancient Greek landscape. In fact, the ancient Greek word for oak, “drys,” was also the word for tree. The two main types of oaks commonly found in the region are the evergreen holm oak and the deciduous Valonian. Both range in size from a thick low shrub (forming the basis of the modern-day Mediterranean scrub forests) to large trees. They were valued for their wood and acorns, which would ripen in the autumn. Tannin was also extracted from the acorn cups of the Valonian oak. This substance was a vital component employed in the tanning of leather hides. In Greek lore, the primitive, pre-agrarian tribes of Arkadia were said to have lived on a stable diet of acorns. In classical times, it was a food only of last resort consumed in times of famine. Usually, acorns were reserved for animal feed.

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Trimble has an upcoming release of the CFX+ Sources app in July 2025. This innovative tool is designed to streamline your timber sourcing operations and ensure compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Source: Timberbiz This upcoming release will include many features needed for buyers and sellers of wood fibre to collaborate exchanging information necessary for regulatory compliance with EUDR, but also to improve how you work today making agreements and plans between forest managers (sellers) and mill managers (buyers and sellers) and pulp mills (buyers). You can upload the information you need, share it between companies, and export geojson files needed for uploading to EU Traces, the EUDR compliance web-portal for European buyers. Trimble will allow companies to try it out in preparation for the rollout on 1 January 2026 of the enforcement deadline for compliance. Here are the key features of CFX+ Sources, along with their benefits: Detailed Source Information Management: Manage supplier and geolocation data, enhancing traceability and compliance with sourcing regulations. Search Functionality: Quickly find sources using specific criteria, improving efficiency in data retrieval and decision-making. Bulk Import and Export: Easily transfer source data via web and API interfaces, streamlining data management and integration with existing systems. Compliance Management: Attach necessary documents for legal obligations, ensuring all compliance documentation is readily accessible. Geolocation Data Capture: Capture precise location data for large and small areas, enhancing accuracy in tracking and managing timber sources. Uploading Pre-existing Shapefiles: Import existing geospatial data, simplifying the integration of current data into the CFX+ system. Management of Product Allocation Details: Track product allocations from specific locations, allowing users to select associated deliveries based on mill consumption, ensuring accurate volume estimations and compliance. Sharing of Source Information: Control sharing of source data with specific email addresses, enhancing collaboration while maintaining data security. Downloading Sources in GeoJSON: Download source data in GeoJSON format for EU traceability, facilitating compliance with European regulations.

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The International Commission on Poplars and Other Fast-Growing Trees Sustaining People and the Environment (IPC) hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a comprehensive guide on the innovative use of fast-growing trees to help sustain people and the environment amid the climate crisis. Source: Timberbiz Innovative practices in the sustainable management of fast-growing trees: lessons learnt from poplars, willow and experiences with other fast-growing trees around the world explains the qualities of different species of fast-growing trees and the economic and environmental benefits they bring in a wide range of settings when managed sustainably. It also outlines the potential to maximise those benefits globally using the latest science and innovative practices. “Fast-growing trees have a strategic role to developing a thriving global bioeconomy,” said Zhimin Wu, Director of FAO’s Forestry Division. “They also provide livelihoods for local communities and hold significant potential for combating climate change.” Fast-growing trees such as poplar, eucalyptus, pine and spruce grow rapidly in suitable conditions, and these and other fast-growing species have been developed and used for millennia around the world to provide timber, fibre, energy and non-wood products. Many of these tree species not only grow fast but can colonize bare or degraded lands and adapt to poor conditions, rapidly turning dry areas green and productive by providing ‘ecosystem services’ such as watershed protection, climate regulation, better quality soil. With climate change posing threats to all forests, planting fast growing trees has increasingly become a vital part of the strategy in the global effort to reverse deforestation and mitigate the effects of climate change. The FAO-IPC publication emphasises the need for investment in planning and cultivating fast-growing trees as effectively and widely as possible to support the transition towards sustainable and productive agrifood systems and as part of action to restore degraded land, driven by the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2020-2030), to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Currently, 93% of the forest area worldwide is composed of naturally regenerating forests and 7% is planted, according to FAOs Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. With global demand for wood products expected to increase by a third by 2050 and global temperatures and extreme weather requiring rapid adaptation and resilience-building, the new IPC publication aims to provide vital information to a wide range of stakeholders including researchers, landowners, land managers and planners and policymakers. Divided into eight sections, it explains the potential of fast-growing trees and their vulnerabilities, the ecosystem services they provide, their socioeconomic benefits and best practices for sustainable management of fast-growing trees in different environments and for different uses. These include landscape restoration, wood production, agroforestry and urban and peri-urban forests. Providing clear facts and figures and examples of best practice and innovations, with scientific references and graphs illustrating trends, it aims to enable the scaling up of successful planting of fast-growing trees worldwide.

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The author undertook this 5-year review of the alpine area post the 2019/ 20 Dunns Road bushfire, in particular the Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) section and areas to the west and south of this.  One of the reasons for this review was to provide a detailed photographic record 5 years after the Dunns Road bushfire and also consider opportunities to better manage the land and vegetation. Source: John O’Donnell The review involved an assessment of 100 kilometres of forest, woodland and grassland areas of the NSW alps next to sealed roads affected by the 2019/ 2020 Dunns Road bushfire. The author believes in the importance of providing alternative opinions in order to optimise fire management in this important area. The full review is here. The 2019/ 20 bushfires had a disastrous impact across the KNP landscape, as evidenced by the information in this review and photographs above.  The same disastrous impact applied with the 2003 KNP bushfires and earlier intense bushfires. The author considers that current fire management approaches across this landscape are not working. The current small scale prescribed burn approach is not going to work in the KNP, the areas to the west nor elsewhere.  Across NSW, prescribed burning of forested areas has an average of 0.6 % of forests per year over the last seven years.  Section 4.1 outlines current prescribed burning rates in KNP, in reality they are very low, although slightly higher than the very low recent NSW prescribed burning of forests % average. Over the landscape, fuels now contain a high proportion of woody material and for many years subsequent bushfires will have long burnout periods and be more damaging to the regenerating trees and vegetation. The author and others consider that it should be the aim of management of all forests that the scale and degree of impact of high intensity bushfires should be limited in extent as far as possible.  And this can only be done by professionally targeted and applied prescribed burning and cooperation between all key parties. The same applies to setting up fire resilient landscapes. Fire fighter and community safety are also very important. The author considers that repeat bushfires at 6 to 10 years post 2019/ 2020 may be a whole different proposition and likely result in large scale vegetation changes.  With the large fuel loads within KNP from the 2003, 2019/ 20, earlier bushfires and other areas of high fuel loads outside these areas, repeat bushfires and megafires are possible in any bad fire season, or maybe not even a bad fire season. Thirteen opportunities have been identified in Section 5 that represent real opportunities to start turning current fire management around.  The author has made the effort to document these opportunities in good faith and like most, wants to see a fire resilient, health and fire safe alps.  

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A Journal of Forestry Research article has highlighted Scion’s work to improve propagation and increase the production of indigenous species in nurseries. Source: Timberbiz The article showcases a New Zealand-first study that investigated the impact of container grade size on the survival and field performance of 12 key natives – to better understand the link between containers and post-planting seedling survival and growth performance. The study saw Scion raise seedlings from the 12 native species in different container sizes and testing how they performed in good or poor-quality sites. Scion collaborated with Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, Minginui Nursery, CNI Iwi land Management, the Tumunui Land Trust, Timberlands, Rotorua Lakes Council and the Tipu Waiariki Charitable Trust (Tipu Wai), which provided the sites and helped with preparation and planting. Industry-standard pots were compared with smaller containers such as 7cm and 8cm paper Ellepots and forestry-grade pots. The effect of differences in length of time, type of container and tree spacing were monitored to determine the impact on survival rates and tree growth. Program lead David Siqueira says results showed high-quality sites and larger container systems tended to promote higher survival and faster early growth. “Some species, such as Leptospermum scoparium (manuka), survived and grew well (>75%), even when raised in small containers, while others such as Sophora microphylla (kowhai) had very low survival rates (< 25%) even when raised in revegetation container grade sizes,” he said. Other species such as Aristotelia serrata (wineberry), Cordyline australis (cabbage tree), Plagianthus regius (ribbonwood) and Podocarpus totara appeared to depend more on site quality. “The results show the importance of aligning the choice of container grade size to the needs of individual species,” Mr Siqueira said. “Nursery container systems for raising New Zealand native plants should be chosen based on the biology of the species, nursery management practices, quality of the planting site and a balance between cost and benefit for each situation.” Nurseries have traditionally used large containers to successfully establish native species, but this is labour-intensive at the planting stage and limits the rate of establishment. Seedlings raised in larger containers can suffer greater transplantation shock, which hinders post-planting survival and growth performance. “The conventional approach of sowing native seed, setting out and then growing in containers takes 12-36 months, adding significantly to native tree establishment costs over typical New Zealand-grown exotic forest trees,” Mr Siqueira said. “By building a better understanding of how container size affects native tree growth, we hope this research will result in more plantings of native forests, increasing New Zealand’s biodiversity and contributing to the mitigation of climate change.” This research supports forestry-scale deployment of indigenous species under New Zealand’s One Billion Trees (1BT) Program. The report can be found at Container size and site quality affect survival and early growth performance of New Zealand native tree species, Journal of Forestry Research.

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The Australian Forest Contractors Association (AFCA) will hold its AGM on 18-19 September in Canberra this year. Source: Timberbiz Alongside the AFCA AGM there will be a demo day hosted by Onetrak and Tigercat. Onetrak and Tigercat will also host the dinner, and there will be a breakfast hosted by ARTes and Mobius as part of the event. AFCA has also changed its mailing address, which is now PO Box 49, Dalton, NSW 2581. For more information contact Charlotte Hobbs AFCA Engagement Manager office@afca.asn.au  

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A New Zealand study has found the country’s native forests are absorbing more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than previously thought. Source: Timberbiz Study leader, National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd’s atmospheric scientist Dr Beata Bukosa, says the findings could have implications for New Zealand’s greenhouse gas reporting, carbon credit costs, and climate and land-use policies. She says forests both native and exotic, play a vital role in absorbing CO₂ through photosynthesis, but previous studies may have underestimated the amount of carbon taken up by New Zealand’s mature indigenous forests, which were thought to be roughly carbon neutral. Using advanced modelling and NIWA’s supercomputer, the researchers examined a decade of atmospheric data, from 2011 to 2020, to better estimate the amount of CO₂ absorbed by New Zealand’s land ecosystems. The NIWA team worked with collaborators at GNS Science and Manaaki Whenua as well as other New Zealand and overseas universities and institutes. The team used an inverse modelling technique – this combines atmospheric greenhouse gases with a model showing how air is transported through the atmosphere to identify CO₂ sources and sinks and compared the results against New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory as well as ‘bottom-up’ models. While the Inventory applies a combination of field inventory, modelling, and remote sensing to quantify forest carbon stocks and stock changes, the ‘bottom-up’ models use calculations based on ecosystem processes, land use and climate across the country, “It was thought that some areas and land use types were in a near-balance state with the absorption and release of CO₂. Earlier estimates of how much carbon was removed by New Zealand land ecosystems ranged from a net 24 to 118 million tonnes a year,” said Dr Bukosa. “Our research found that New Zealand’s natural environment absorbed approximately 171 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.” She says the largest differences between earlier estimates and the new findings came in the South Island. “This was especially in areas dominated by mature native forests and certain grazing lands. We also found seasonal variation, as during autumn and winter, less CO₂ is released into the atmosphere than earlier estimates suggested.” The research follows a pilot study in 2017, which also suggested indigenous forest in Fiordland might be absorbing more CO2 than expected. “That study was based on only three years of data, and we weren’t sure if it was just a transient effect related to the climatic conditions, or if the effect was confined to Fiordland. Our new study shows the carbon sink is more widespread than we thought, particularly across the South Island, with greater uptake of CO2 extending up the West Coast,” said Dr Bukosa. “With improvements in our modelling techniques, and data coverage, we’ve now shown the extra carbon uptake has persisted for at least a decade. More research could help us understand exactly why our method has shown such a difference in the carbon source and sink balance compared with other methods.” Inverse modelling provides an independent estimate of emissions that can complement inventory-based approaches for emissions reporting, she says. “New Zealand was the first country to develop the capability to infer national CO₂ emissions from atmospheric data and has since supported other countries to develop similar capability.” Dr Andrea Brandon, a Ministry for the Environment principal scientist who co-authored the study, said the findings help build a clearer picture of the role New Zealand’s natural systems play in absorbing emissions from the atmosphere. However, further work will be needed before they can be included in official emissions reporting. “We continually improve the Inventory – New Zealand’s annual record of emissions and removals – as new science and evidence comes to light. This ensures we have robust information so that we continue to meet our international reporting obligations,” she said. “The findings from this study indicate there may be additional carbon uptake somewhere in the system that we are currently not tracking. We need to identify what we are missing so that we can further refine our Inventory methods to capture it.” Dr Bukosa says the results, due to be published shortly in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics and available here in preprint, have important implications for New Zealand’s tracking of carbon emissions and climate policies. “We need to better understand why our native forests are absorbing more CO₂ than expected, and what this could mean for our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our domestic and international targets.” The research was part of a NIWA-led, MBIE-funded Endeavour programme called CarbonWatch NZ, which ended last year. NIWA principal scientist Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher led CarbonWatch NZ and says the team is now looking to extend this work to definitively solve the puzzle of the difference in carbon between inventory methods and atmospheric measurements. “This research suggests that we could make the most of opportunities to slow climate change through changes to land management. Projections suggest New Zealand will need 84 million tonnes of emissions reductions on top of what can be done at home to meet its 2030 international commitments under the Paris Agreement. In addition to reducing the need for overseas offsets, better management of our native forests and other lands could enable New Zealand to be long-term stewards of our carbon sinks and offer magnificent biodiversity co-benefits,” says Dr Mikaloff-Fletcher.

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Tasmania’s timber industry is preparing for its biggest celebration yet, with nominations now open for the 2025 Tasmanian Timber Awards. The biennial event will culminate in a black-tie Gala Awards Dinner on Friday, 5 September at the Tailrace Centre in Launceston. Source: Timberbiz Proudly presented by the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN), the Awards bring together the sector to recognise the people, projects and passion that shape one of the state’s most vital industries. “The Tasmanian Timber Awards showcase the innovation, resilience and pride that drive this sector forward,” said Professor Julianne O’Reilly Wapstra, Chair of the TFFPN Board. “They are an opportunity to highlight those who work, often behind the scenes, to make a real difference across the supply chain. I warmly encourage individuals and organisations to submit a nomination and join us in celebrating our shared success.” Following the success of the 2019, 2021 and 2023 events, the 2025 Awards will feature 12 categories recognising excellence from the forest floor to final product including harvesting, processing, innovation, design, safety and environmental practice. Refinements to the judging and nomination process, based on industry feedback, aim to encourage wide participation and ensure the Awards remain the industry’s ‘night of nights.’ For 2023 winner, Indicium Dynamics, who received the Innovation Award, the recognition was a turning point. “Winning the Innovation Award at the 2023 Tasmanian Timber Awards highlighted the powerful role that technology can play in helping land managers understand their impact on the environment,” said Rob Vernon, CEO of Indicium Dynamics. “It also reflected our dedication to applying technology in new and practical ways to support more sustainable use of natural resources across Tasmania’s agricultural and forestry industries. “The awards are an important platform for recognising progress and innovation, we encourage others to nominate and help showcase the incredible work being done across the sector,” he said. Mike Ross, Chief Technology Officer at Indicium Dynamics said that award ceremonies play such an important role in any industry. “They give us a moment to pause and recognise the hard work, innovation and impact being achieved not just within individual organisations, but across the sector as a whole. “They also create space to share ideas, inspire others, and build a sense of momentum around what’s possible when we work towards a common goal.” Dr Nathan Kotlarewski, winner of the 2023 Emerging Leader in the Tasmanian Timber Industry Award, said the recognition shines a light on the values that define the sector. The Tasmanian Timber Awards reflect the holistic network of relationships, resilience, leadership and best practice within our communities. They highlight the innovation, dedication and sustainable practices that define our industry and the people who choose to be part of it. “We celebrate these awards to demonstrate local excellence and inspire future generations to champion a future where timber continues to be a cornerstone of Tasmania’s economy and communities,” he said Guests at the Gala Awards Dinner can look forward to an evening of connection, inspiration and celebration with fine food, outstanding company and the remarkable stories behind Tasmania’s timber sector on full display. “We’re expecting another sell-out event and look forward to welcoming everyone, from trainees to trailblazers, to what promises to be an unforgettable evening,” Professor O’Reilly said. Nominations for the 2025 Tasmanian Timber Awards are now open. To view the full list of award categories, nomination criteria and ticketing information go to https://www.tffpn.com.au/tta-award-categories/  

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The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) thanks Minister for the Environment, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, for the invitation to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Reforms Roundtable, in Canberra. Source: Timberbiz The key message from AFPA to those assembled was that reform of Australia’s environmental laws must recognise the nation’s environmental, economic, and social goals and that sustainable native forestry and much needed plantation forestry is vital if Australia is to achieve its decarbonisation ambitions. Attended by AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam, the Roundtable included representatives from across environmental, industry and property sectors, and discussed the Albanese Government’s EPBC Act reform agenda, including the establishment of a national Environment Protection Agency (EPA) along with National Environmental Standards. “When invited by the Minister to speak, I made it clear that we support EPBC Act reform, but that sustainable native and plantation forestry must be allowed to continue and grow in recognition of its importance to Australia’s climate goals,” Ms Hallam said. “I alerted those gathered that in the five years since the independent review of the EPBC Act (the Samuel Review) was handed to government there have been many developments in science, innovation and data capture that demonstrate forestry’s improved custodianship of the environment. “We have also seen some terrible consequences arising from decisions made in haste that have been to the detriment of forest industries and the environment. “For example, since the removal of the Victorian Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) and abolition of VicForests, the Victorian Government is now forced to pay forest contractors $72 million annually for bushfire management. “Expanses of Victorian Mountain Ash have failed to regrow following severe bushfires, something VicForests would have been legally required to address, and uncertainty reigns because EPBC Act approval requirements remain unclear without the RFA and VicForests guidance impeding plantation investment. “More recently an Australian Federal Court decision in January 2024 confirmed that Regional Forest Agreements are achieving the objects of the EPBC Act and it is noteworthy that the NSW North East RFA references the EPBC Act 94 times. “Improvements to Australia’s environmental laws will help provide regulatory certainty and allow Australia’s forest industries to be rightfully acknowledged as leading practitioners of ecologically sustainable development. “Without native and plantation forestry, we cannot protect the environment, and we cannot decarbonise the economy. A strong forestry sector is required to meet so many of Australia’s future challenges, and its essential the Albanese Government’s EPBC Act Reforms support a strong forestry industry going forward,” Ms Hallam concluded.

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More than 650 of the world’s top timber engineers have attended the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Timber Engineering in Brisbane. Source: Jason Ross The first WCTE to be held in Australia, home to some of the world’s most ambitious mid-rise and high-rise timber buildings — Professor Keith Crews, chair of WCTE 2025, welcomed delegates from 44 countries to the June 22-26 conference, which will eventually see up to 1000 delegates attend the five-day conference. Addressing a packed auditorium at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) in South Bank, Professor Crews revealed that behind Australia (with 250 delegates), Japan (127), Canada (68), the United States (60), New Zealand (52) and Germany were the countries with the most representatives at the conference, with this year’s theme focused on “Advancing Timber for the Future Building Environment.” Among the delegates was Karl-Heinz Weiss, the first of several keynote speakers at the conference. Speaking to from the auditorium stage, Weiss, considered a pioneer in UK and Australian-based engineered timber, said that Australia’s timber engineering history dates back more than a century. “Atlassian (the 39-storey hybrid skyscraper that is currently under construction over Sydney’s Central Station) is making headlines, but its background is much deeper,” he said.

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