Australian hardwoods for fuelwood and agroforestry

Project 8809 is closely linked to Project 8808, and it continues work commenced in an earlier project on nursery methods, silvicultural requirements, growth rates and regeneration techniques of selected Australian species, grown in different climatic areas in Queensland. These trials are an adjunct to the research underway in collaborating countries, and have added advantage as a resource for training and local research.
The major project objectives are to select and screen species potentially suited to establishment in semi-arid to arid environments. Species found to have desirable characteristics will be further evaluated in more intensive proving trials.
Scientists will determine the effects of nutrition on stem form and growth habit of selected Australian species. They will also determine the effect of different spacing of trees on productivity of surrounding pastures. Trees found to affect pasture productivity will be studied in order to correlate the trees' attributes with pasture productivity loss.
Growth plots established in the earlier project (8331) will be maintained; measurements and assessment will continue until the plots are 4.5 years of age. Then one plot will be thinned and maintained as an arboretum planting for demonstration and occasional assessment, while the other will be used for a short-term study of responses to pruning, pollarding and lopping. Assessment will continue on other plots being studied for coppicing abilities.
Wood material from the trials will be subjected to basic density determination and drying and burning studies. Standard methods will be used for basic density, and drying studies will involve standard length material over a range of diameters for each species. Sample material is stored until weight stabilises. Rates of fuel consumption for different species and sizes of timber are then recorded over time and against other parameters.
A small-scale agroforestry trial will take place near Gympie, Queensland, on established pasture using five tree species with contrasting characteristics. Information will be sought on tree crop attributes and management for agroforestry systems.
Information generated by the trials will be disseminated through publication in international journals, conference proceedings and other forms as appropriate. Project members will communicate with relevant personnel, institutions and projects in developing countries to encourage the adoption of the technology.