Pine trees to be replanted at Kowen

Released 01/08/2016

The ACT Parks and Conservation Service has started work to remove and replace about 300 hectares of dead pine trees from the Kowen plantation which were damaged by a storm and subsequent fungal infection earlier in the year. The harvesting work will take place until late August 2016.

“About 300 hectares out of the 4,700 hectares at the Kowen pine plantation were affected by the hail storm in February this year,” said Forestry Coordinator Peter Langdon.

“The severe hail storm damaged the growing tips of trees and stripped bark and needles from soft tissue on young branches. This damage then allowed Diplodia fungi spores to infect the trees.

“This type of fungus affects all species of pine trees and is usually more severe in damaged trees which have previously been stressed by drought, nutrient deficiency or insect damage.

“There is no cost-effective fungicide method to treat the infected trees, so our control method is to remove infected trees. The timber is still sound so it will be safely used for pulp and sawn timber with no risk of spreading the fungus. 

“The majority of the pines killed as a result of the hail storm were 15 or 16 years old. The pines at Kowen range from one year old up to 40 years old. The dead trees will be replaced, so the total number of trees at Kowen will remain the same.

“Pines are normally thinned when they are 15 to 20 years old and harvested when they are about 30 years old. The ACT’s pine plantations are covered by insurance which will negate the loss of harvesting them earlier than normal.”

Mr Langdon said the ACT has a further 3,000 hectares of pine plantation at Pierces Creek and Uriarra. These were not affected by the hail storm.

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