Chapter Seven
Re-establishing native vegetation
Fleur Stelling     Environment Officer, Shire of Indigo
Ray Thomas     Regent Honeyeater Coordinator, Benalla		 open pdfbackhome
Introduction

Re-establishing native vegetation is an essential part of farming in many districts across the region, particularly in areas largely lacking in remnant vegetation. Before embarking on planting, the purpose of planting and the nature of the proposed site need to be considered. Species selection and site preparation can then be planned. While this chapter offers general guidelines and suggestions, personal investigation of local remnants is really the best guide. Local knowledge of specific trees 
and shrubs and the sites and conditions they prefer, just can’t be beaten.

 Planting Purpose

The purpose of any proposed planting will largely determine what species to plant and indeed, where it is most effective to plant them. The following table lays out species and sites to achieve different goals. Note that although we can plant with one primary objective in mind, there are usually multiple benefits from a single project.  The focus of this guide is on indigenous species – hence the emphasis on ‘locally native’.
 
Table 1. Examples of planting purposes, sites and species
Primary Planting Purpose Suggested Sites Suggested Species
Shade & shelter 
(eg. windbreaks)		 To intercept problem weather, at intervals of about 250 metres across property (as a rough guide) Locally native (to also meet other intentions of creating habitat).
Gully & creek erosion control Existing gullies and creeks on property Locally native, also consider tussocky grasses and sedges. 
Groundwater recharge control
Identified recharge sites such as rocky hill tops; break of slope.		 Locally native on hilltops. Potential for other species suitable for timber products from break of slope and recharge over 800 mm rainfall/year
Enhance remnant vegetation and habitats to help conserve biodiversity Restoring understorey in remnants; adjacent to remnant vegetation (add to block size, create buffers eg. along creeklines & dis-used roads);  linking remnants (possibly doubling as windbreaks); broadening narrow strips etc Locally native
Produce timber & other products Generally more fertile sites for timber production; scope for other, less fertile sites for production of other products Locally native; non-locally native; exotics
Improve farm aesthetics Throughout property Locally native species blend into the local environment/ landscape.  Choice depend on personal taste.
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