Silviculture Forester

Silviculture foresters are in charge of tending to the plantation from just after establishment till just before harvesting. They manage the pruning of trees, chemical applications, and slashing of vegetation on firebreaks.

After trees reach 10 years of age, the plantation block undergoes its first thinning (T1). The Silviculture Forester ensures that the trees with the weakest growth are removed to give the strong trees more room to grow. The wood from the T1 operation is used for pulpwood and paper products. This process is repeated at 15 years of age (T2) and 25 years of age (T3).

As the trees grow, they develop branches which pose a fire risk. Silviculture Foresters organise the pruning of these branches, allowing space in between trees so fire does not spread as easily, as well as allowing firefighters to get past them if the fire is in a hard-to-reach location.

Sometimes trees are being outcompeted by weeds or are showing signs of nutrient deficiency. This is when a Silviculture Forester will commission spraying activities. The method in which this is done can vary depending on the site, time of year, and weather or other impactful conditions. However, the most likely method for chemical application is aerial, which involves an aircraft flying back-and-forth over the plantation block, spraying from a specialised nozzle set-up attached to its underside.

Firebreaks which sit between roads and plantation are buffers that are in place to limit the spread of fire from one plantation block to another. Any vegetation that grows within a firebreak has to be cut or slashed as to limit fuel for a potential fire. Silviculture foresters organise and manage slashing operations.