Private forestry - potential for diversification

Private forestry is the integration of tree crops into agriculture to produce forest products or to benefit farm productivity and sustainability. Potential production benefits include:

• sale of timber and other products;
• shade and shelter, additional fodder, lowered water tables reducing salinity, reduced wind speed and evaporation and fewer pests by maintaining beneficial predators;
• returns from marginal areas like laneways, riparian areas, steep areas and areas with soil erosion, or problem soils;
• buffers between neighbours and intensive agriculture able to be carried out with less conflict;
• use of effluent from intensive livestock enterprises.

Tree crops are more flexible in the timing of work, using farm resources more effectively throughout the year. Trees help maintain biodiversity and provide wildlife corridors. They also have aesthetic value, increasing property value and providing a more pleasant place to live and work.