Redwoods for erosion control
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ก.ย. 2024
- We've planted more than 70 tree species, both native and exotic, but only one is able to control the tunnel erosion. We grow Coast Redwood for timber on our highly dispersible sodic clay soils. Another example of how growing trees for profit can be an act of conservation.
See the chapter on Redwood in my book "Heartwood- the art and science of growing trees for conservation and profit"
This is why exotic trees are SO important to the Australian environment!! For a country with water deficiency and salinity problems (which have worsened with agriculture) we desperately NEED the help these trees can give us! And not just the redwoods; Poplars and Willows are brilliant at cleaning water systems, particularly heavy metals. All deciduous trees help build soil.
Oaks and especially Sycamore = Mountain Maple / Bergahorn is well known for soil building values. They are completely misunderstood in our country and possibly others. The timber value itself make this a very fine, very thought after fine instrument and also kitchen appliance timbers.
Willows are a weed in natural waterways. Poplars require too much water for most gardens and parks.
Hi Leela, we do need to be careful to avoid exotics that can become weeds. We wont grow willows due to the risk of seeding. The local (weed) willow is a male clone of Crack Willow that was planted for erosion control. It only spreads slowly by cuttings. If a female is introduced (even of another species) there is a risk of hybridisation leading to a mass seeding event and that would be catastrophic for our wetlands.
Was scouting land to plant Coast Redwoods yesterday Saturday Oct 22(?). More brilliant sermons from the stump requested.
Super interesting. Thank you for posting these videos!
Good one! Love your work Rowan!
Very cool. I have these trees all over my property. I climb them all over our area also. Limbing and removing some. Great trees. Glad they are helping there.
Bought the land and now growing Redwoods!
I live just south of Grafton nsw in excellent spotted gum country but I have these sonic soils and the tunnel erosion you demonstrated. I believe it’s to hot and humid in summer for redwoods but I’d love to know of an appropriate alternative species that do the same sort of job as the redwoods do?
How does growing exotic species such as Redwoods solve biodiversity and animal welfare problems? I cant see how these conifers are beneficial for habitat for native wildlife.Is there not native species that has the same habit and function in repairing sodic soil erosion as the Redwoods?
Hi Jack. I guess my point is that we need to plant many species. We grow 70 tree species, mostly natives, in mixtures and small blocks. The diversity of age, species, management, etc across the farm is the key to supporting wildlife. The Redwoods are used by owls as a daytime refuge in preference to native species. Then, by controlling the erosion the redwoods are improving the water quality in the stream and that will help aquatic life. The land is so damaged we need to use all the colours (species) available to repair it. Regards
dont worry they arent cane toads