PLANTING of more than 650,000 pine seedlings across the ACT’s forests began this morning (July 24) as part of an investment into the future of timber production, according to Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman. 

“Ensuring planting after harvesting is an investment not only in future timber production but also in community infrastructure for recreation,” Mr Gentleman says.

It takes 28-35 years for a “Pinus radiata” seedling to grow to maturity. During this time several harvesting operations are undertaken to thin the plantation and provide valuable timber resources to the local and regional timber industry.

“The pine seedlings will be planted predominantly in Kowen Forest from today through to early Spring,” he says. 

“It understandably requires a huge effort to plant this many seedlings over 550 hectares of land, particularly when each seedling is planted by hand and using spades to dig the hole.

“The professional planting crew we have engaged will plant, on average, around 15,000 seedlings per day with each crew member planting approximately 1000 seedlings per day.

 

News all day, every day at CityNews.com.au.