Improving productivity of the private native forest resource in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales

Abstract

Private native forests across Queensland and New South Wales (NSW) are an important source of domestic timber supply upon which the Australian hardwood timber industry depends. This project aimed to generate new information for the timber industry and landholders on the timber producing potential of private native forests in southern Queensland and northern NSW. Specifically, the project aimed to determine: (i) the spatial extent and condition of the private native forest resource and establish a framework for ongoing inventory; (ii) the influence of forest management (i.e. thinning regimes) on tree growth rates, carbon stocks and ecological attributes; and (iii) the potential return on investment associated with silvicultural management.