Pine health issues visible from an aerial survey

The Forest Health Survey Unit (FHSU) was established in October 1995 following an increasing need for consistency in forest health expertise within State Forests NSW. The main aim of the FHSU is to collect data on pest and disease damage in plantations and to formulate management options to reduce their economic impact.

Since January 1996, the FHSU has conducted annual surveys of Forests NSW pine and eucalypt plantation estate, including aerial and ground surveys. All aspects of forest health are surveyed for, including insect pests, fungal diseases, vertebrate pests, nutritional imbalances, weeds and climatic disorders.  Recommendations on pest management are provided to Forests NSW, and include:

• increasing the biological control program for sirex woodwasp in targeted areas;
• spraying fungicide to control Dothistroma needle blight;
• fertilising boron deficient stands;
• monitoring Creiis psyllid population levels and life stages to optimise control spraying.

Strategic outcomes of the FHSU include the identification of new and emerging pests and diseases that require research into their impact and management, including Creiis psyllid in Eucalyptus dunnii, Quambalaria shoot blight in Corymbia spp. and Ips bark beetles in Pinus spp.  Another strategic benefit of the FHSU is the data collected on damaging agents that is required by Forests NSW under annual reporting requirements, such as for social, environmental and economic performance (SEEing Report) and for certification under sustainable forest management.