Stringybark Forests
Brian Gepp

Speaker Brian Gepp, formerly a wildlife ecologist with the Woods and Forests Department, shared his research and insights into Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) forests. Australia has the highest number of fauna species globally that rely exclusively on tree hollows for nesting. So the loss of large old stringybark trees equals loss of habitat. Brian explained that, for example, the larger cockatoos, Glossy Red and Yellow Tailed need vertical hollows to nest in, which Stringybarks can provide.

The vegetation we see now what was there when early settlers arrived, as clearing practices and regrowth after fire events has led to larger and denser numbers of trees, which are much younger. In the early years of settlement stringybark timber was used for general construction, such as fences, mining supports, bridges and dwellings. There are large remnant trees on private land in the Parawa region, and in reserves in Second Valley and Deep Creek, where the size of some stumps is an indication of the size of the trees that once existed there. Large diameter trees are now scarce and will not be replaced in the near future due to their slow growing rate and competition from much smaller diameter and denser vegetation.
Brian believes that landowners should be supported and recompensed for protecting and maintaining old stringybarks, both individual trees and groves.

Brian posed some challenging questions for us to consider and action
• how can the community be persuaded to accept selective thinning/removal of trees in conservation areas to promote the faster growth of branchy trees to create a future supply of tree hollows?
• would such thinning also be a benefit for fire protection and prescribed burning at low intensity by creating 'gaps' in densely treed areas?
• can trials and demonstration sites be established, both on private land and in conservation reserves?
• with a new Minister of Environment is there now an opportunity to both "educate and lobby" to shift preconceived paradigms?
• how can private landowners be recompensed for protecting remnants of vegetation, particularly old trees,?( which are perceived to not have significance for biodiversity as there may be no understorey)
• can a dollar value be established for 'significant' old trees that contain large tree hollows?

If you would like to view a copy of Brian’s presentation, contact us on yank.hist.soc@gmail.com