Editors: C.L. Beadle and A.G. Brown.  This proceedings is a record of a workshop on acacia utilisation and management, held in Victoria 26–29 April 2006. Using Australian blackwood as the key species, this workshop covered four areas: utilisation and wood quality; marketing and investment; advances in silviculture; and Acacia species and resource management. 2007; 140 pages; RIRDC Pub. No. 07/095

This report is about improving the reliability of direct seeding of native tree and shrub species, through matching field sowing times to germination requirements of species.  Two experiments were carried out in low rainfall areas South Australia and Victoria to determine the effects of direct seeding at different times of the year. The differences in germination and survival among sowings carried out in spring, summer, autumn and winter are reported for the eight native tree and shrub species used. The report makes recommendations for greater monitoring of direct seeding germinants to determine optimum sowing times for common revegetation species. 30pgs, 07/105, 2007

This report is about research to identify and improve forest trees for sawlog production in the Top End (1000-1800 mm rainfall zone) of the Northern Territory (NT).  The report outlines the successful establishment of four trials to test species and provenance performance, and to establish breeding and seed production orchards.  The species trials test a wide range of eucalypt, acacia, hybrid and exotic species.  Seed orchards were established for red mahogany Eucalyptus pellita and African mahogany Khaya senegalensis.  Early results for growth and species performance are given for the species-provenance trials.  2007, 07/113, 86pgs

In many regions of Australia, private landholders are planting trees for commercial harvest and to improve active management of their land.  This involves decisions on species, growth rates, harvested products, yield, and the effect of management on financial returns.  This report describes the capabilities of the Farm Forestry Toolbox version 5.  The Toolbox is a CD-based tool to assist landholders and extension to manage woodlots and tree yield.  The Farm Forestry Toolbox version 5 includes new easy-to-use features, plus growth and yield models for a wide range of species that are applicable to a wide range of regions of Australia.  2007, 07/135, 23pgs

This report lists and describes the native vegetation data sets available for freehold lands in NSW, and outlines public access to them.  The report also recommends key data fields to include in future vegetation metadata statements to assist public search and access. The project also catalogued all the data sets and stored them for access via the NSW Natural Resource Atlas web site. This will make it easier for potential users to access the vegetation data sets. 46pgs, 07/083, 2007

by M Armstrong, D Reilly, T Lelievue, G Hopewell, A Redman, L Francis and R Robertson.  The understanding of the wood quality and use potential of Kyaha senegalensis (African mahogany) gained during this study will provide potential investors, producers and processors with concise and accurate information for growing and producing high value timber, which will underpin a saw log industry in the dry tropics of northern Australia. The opportunity to grow high value saw logs in Australia’s north provides alternatives to landholders and indigenous communities with large tracts of arable land who want to grow trees for commercial timber products. The study indicated that Australian-grown plantation K. senegalensis produces an aesthetically pleasing timber with marketable colour and figure attributes. The wood appears suitable for a number of high value applications including cabinetry, interior joinery, windows, doors, and contempory and reproduction furniture. However, a number of issues may affect the profitability of converting plantation logs to high-value appearance grade timber, namely: wandering pith, the proportion of stem under heartwood at a young age, and the development of decay and stain. All the identified issues could potentially be addressed through breeding and appropriate silvicultural management. Based on the findings of this study of processing, use and wood quality properties, Australian plantation grown K. senegalensis has proven to be a prime candidate species for the ‘dry’ northern tropics of Australia. 2007, 102 pages, Pub. No. 07/107. $25

The Australian Low Rainfall Tree Improvement Group was established to select and breed trees to improve productivity of farm forestry in low rainfall regions of southern Australia. This report provides an overview of the group's achievements since its formation in 1999.  A range of trials have been established, including provenance, progeny, genetic gain trials and seed orchards. Early results from field trials, as well as a description of extension, commercial opportunities and linkages to industry and other projects are provided.  As a result of this project improved seed is available, with more seed orchards due to begin producing in 2007-08. 2007, 07/078, 53pgs

This report presents a preliminary study to identify perennial forage species that compete successfully with trees in agroforestry systems in the medium to low rainfall zone in south-west Western Australia.  Yields from annual and perennial pastures adjacent to tree belts are given, and the report recommends several perennial pasture species for use in agroforestry systems.  2007, 64pgs, 07/091, $21

This report reviews past and current methods of disseminating information about private native forest management for sustainable harvest, and comments on its effectiveness.  The report recommends activities for building capacity of landholders and natural resource management stakeholders in private native forest management, including delivering results from research projects. 30pgs, 07/076, 2007

This project developed guidelines for survey and inventory of private native forest resources, to encourage adoption of proven, consistent and reliable methods.  The project also summarised features of some recent private native forestry inventory projects.  This report aims to increase understanding of the need for more consistent data collection methodologies. 38pgs, 2007,  07/072