Gunns is a firm
supporter of the
continuing use of
sustainable
management
of natural
forest as an
environmentally
responsible

Silvicultural systems most commonly employed in Gunns forest management activities can be broadly classified as:

• Selective Harvesting – Normally the appropriate mechanism in higher altitude open forests on cold sites where forests stands are commonly of uneven age. Only selected merchantable trees are logged while other growth is retained. Retained growth will include appropriate older mature trees to be use as both important habitat to retain biodiversity and as a seed source for promoting forest regeneration, and younger regeneration that will grow on to form mature forest after harvesting. Successful regeneration is further promoted within selective harvesting operations via low intensity broadcast burns or mechanical disturbance.

• Clearfell Harvesting – Normally adopted as the appropriate mechanism on lower altitude, wetter productive sites that do not contain a younger age class suitable for retention, or on drier sites that contain insufficient young trees or mature stems suitable for retention. Under this regime, generally all stems are felled including non-merchantable trees, as an open environment is required to re-create the circumstances required in these forests for successful regeneration to occur. Regeneration techniques under this method will normally include a hot fire to create a receptive seedbed followed by aerial or hand sowing of seed. Sowing must be undertaken to maintain the original species composition and to ensure that the seedbed is genetically adapted to the site.

Following harvesting and regeneration activities, monitoring of sites formally occurs via regeneration surveys over the coming years to ensure that successful regeneration has been achieved. If required, remedial treatments are undertaken to promote a forest for the future from both a productive and non-productive perspective.

Regular reviews of methodologies utilised in natural forest management are conducted to ensure that forest management practices are environmentally responsible and are providing for a future resource.