With lambing and calving well under way, fallen trees can provide much-needed shelter from cold, wind and rain for young stock.
“And, as well as providing shelter from the elements - and from potential predators - fallen trees provide habitat for a myriad of wildlife, provide an environment for the recycling of soil nutrients, and provide scratching stations for stock,” Goulburn Broken CMA’s Janice Mentiplay-Smith said.
“Fallen trees, left to their own devices, also provide the perfect place for regenerating paddock trees. If you are lucky, there will be seed in the soil that may germinate if it is protected from stock, but if not, landholders are encouraged to plant the ‘next generation’ of paddock tree around the remnants of the previous one.”
These seedlings will need protection, and free tree guards are now available through the Linking Landscapes project.
“Instead of removing fallen timber, placing logs around guarded seedlings will add to the seedling’s chance of future survival, as it is protected from browsing animals, moisture is trapped beneath the logs and the soil is protected from the elements, which allows nourishing micro-biota and nutrients to thrive.”
Landholders can receive up to three 1.8 metre purpose-built tree guards at no cost, through the Goulburn Broken CMA’s Linking Landscapes project. For more information on how to collect the guards please contact Janice Mentiplay-Smith on 0418316169 or email janicem@gbcma.vic.gov.au
The Linking Landscapes project is supported by the Goulburn Broken CMA through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.