Forest Science Symposium is back with a bang

Forest scientists from all corners of the country gathered in Pietermaritzburg recently, showcasing the breadth and depth of research currently on the go in the forestry sector.

It has been seven long years since the last such event. The organisers, ICFR (Institute for Commercial Forestry Research), Forestry South Africa (FSA) and the SAIF (Southern African Institute of Forestry), pulled out all the stops to showcase as much relevant research as possible over the two days of the symposium. 

There were 27 presentations and 24 "speed talks" complemented by 28 posters displayed in the main foyer outside the venue at the New Hilton Hotel, providing the 210 registered participants with a comprehensive review of the research around the country.

The key themes included climate change adaption, managing and understanding pests and diseases,  biodiversity and sustainability, how environmental conditions influence wood quality, nurseries and tree breeding, precision forestry, silviculture, harvesting and productivity.

Speed talks were an exciting addition to this year's event. These quick, five-minute presentations provided an opportunity for post-graduate students from the leading research universities and institutes to present their work to the established forest scientists, foresters and forest managers in the audience. 

The presentations proved that the future of forest research in southern Africa is in good hands.

Climate change

The presentations on climate change from Prof Mary Scholes and Dr Yolandi Ernst of Wits University highlighted the sector's massive challenges with hotter temperatures and more frequent and severe dry periods. 

Much of the research is focused on better understanding and predicting the climate changes that are coming and breeding trees adapted to hotter, dryer conditions, seasonal shifts and extreme weather events. We heard how growers like Sappi are a long way down the road in implementing strategies to adapt their operations and breed trees that will cope with future climate uncertainties.

Presenters warned that climate change will impact wood property and quality with significant implications for processors. This is a concern given trends that engineered wood products are a significant part of the future built environment. 

Prof Mary Scholes
Dr Yolandi Ernst

Pests & diseases

Much work is focused on better understanding pests and pathogens impacting our plantation trees, including new pests like Elsinoe masingae and the leafroller caterpillars now affecting eucalypts. 

We heard from PhD researcher Michelle Pretorius of the University of Cape Town (UCT) how baboon damage on pines has increased significantly and is spreading to new areas like the Eastern Cape. They are also starting to become a problem in Eucalyptus plantations. 

Derishnee Naidoo of the ICFR highlighted the importance of early detection of wattle rust on black wattle and has tested the effectiveness of using near-infrared spectrometry to do this, while Prof Brett Hurley of Fabi provided insight on the latest pests and diseases affecting wattle.

Prof Almuth Hammerbacher of the University of Pretoria (UP) brought the focus down to the microscopic level to show how the surface chemistry of leaves of plantation trees influence the feeding behaviour of pests like the Eucalyptus lerp psyllid and gonipterus sp 2. She also explained how leaf surface chemistry influences the growth of leaf pathogens. These findings provide potential opportunities for innovative pest and disease management options.

Michelle Pretorius
Prof Almuth Hammerbacher

Open corridors & biodiversity

Prof James Pryke of Stellenbosch University (SU) described how well-maintained and located open corridors in forestry estates contribute to conserving biodiversity and can potentially extend the range of protected conservation areas. He noted that forest and grassland edges are species-rich zones and that wild animal grazing on grasslands is more beneficial than domestic grazing. Still, domestic grazing is better than no grazing.

Prof James Pryke

Mulching & silviculture

A study into different treatments of post-harvest slash by Dr Tanay Bose of UP showed that the benefits of mulching followed by delayed re-establishment is a winning combo for healthier forests and larger trees.

Dr Tanay Bose

Timber quality & engineered wood

Dr Bruno Balboni of Stellenbosch University (US) spoke about the potential of using short-rotation Eucalyptus as a timber resource for manufacturing engineered wood products. SU's Dr Brand Wessels discussed the beneficial wood properties of the hybrid P. patula x P. tecunamanii, which grows at a low elevation in the southern Cape.

Dr Rafael Keret of Sappi reported on a study to better understand how trees respond and adapt to changing conditions and how dry conditions affect wood anatomy. His work involves taking core samples from pines in the Mpumalanga escarpment to determine the wood density. 

He said the focus on faster growth has produced more juvenile wood with less density. The later years of growth are when good quality wood is made. He found that P. eliottii species had more consistent density growth than P. patula and said, "Balancing growth with wood quality is becoming more challenging".

Dr Bruno Balboni

Use of pesticides & weedicides

Prof Keith Little of Nelson Mandela University (NMU) provided info on progress in finding alternatives to the use of glyphosate for weed control and paraquat for the burning of tracer belts. 

Dr Noxolo Ndlovu of NCT described the findings of her study to determine how pesticides used in forestry impact soil, sediment and water. She found that glyphosate, the most commonly applied pesticide in forestry, was low risk in sediment and water and was not detected in the soil at all. Metazachlor and cypermethrin were flagged as pesticides of concern.

She said the results were encouraging and showed that pesticides can be used safely in forestry as part of an integrated pest management approach. However, she cautioned that these trials were conducted in just one region in one growing season and that more research is required.

Prof Keith Little
Dr Noxolo Ndlovu

Genome sequencing & tree breeding

Prof Zander Myburg (SU) described a project to restart the domestication and breeding of Eucalyptus grandis that involves high throughput genome sequencing trees in their natural ranges in Australia. E. grandis is one of the most iconic plantation tree species introduced into South Africa more than 100 years ago, and it has been the focus of some of the most advanced breeding programmes. 

Prof Zander Myburg

"What we are looking for in a tree is probably already out there in nature," he said.

Speed talk presenters delved into a wide range of topics like mulching, progress on finding effective biological control for bugweed and the perennial headache of how to control the wilding pines spreading into the Cape mountain areas.

The symposium demonstrated the excellent collaboration between research institutes, leading universities, and private-sector forestry companies in South Africa. This goes a long way to ensuring South Africa's forestry sector is globally competitive – and sustainable.

By Chris Chapman

Bravely sawmilling in the Eastern Cape

Denver de Kock, MD of RD Sawmill near Maclear in SA's Eastern Cape Province, defies harsh trading conditions with a thriving sawmilling business.  

The multi-generational De Kock league of aunts, uncles, brothers and cousins have used their shared legacy of sawmilling experience and tradition to build a sawmilling empire that prospers across the Eastern Cape.

Denver stayed true to this tradition as a third-generation sawmiller born and raised in Maclear within earshot of the De Kock clan in Tsolo near Qumbu. RD Sawmill was launched in 2010, and Denver and his cousin gave early direction to the business before he became the sole proprietor. 

The sawmill's primary focus is wet-off-saw timber, distributed through retail or directly to the public for use in construction applications, pallets, and furniture-grade material for manufacturing.

Wood-Mizer increases recovery

RD's initial momentum came from circular mills. However, recovery losses saw Denver opting for a Wood-Mizer LT10 to claw back recovery and improve the sawn quality. 

"We soon saw the light when we got our first Wood-Mizer LT10. The circular blade mills weren't giving us good recovery", comments Denver.

The initial results of the first Wood-Mizer LT10 prompted a mill closure, which saw the two new LT15s and HR200 resaws replacing the mill's previous line. The single Wood-Mizer LT10 was duplicated into two LT15s with two Wood-Mizer HR200 resaws, adding to RD Sawmill's current capacity. 

"When we changed to the LT10, our recovery and cut size accuracy improved significantly", Denver explains. "The bandsaws leave fewer marks on the timber, which opened the doors to new markets with furniture grade material going to manufacturers".

Sawmilling is tough

Several challenges in the Eastern Cape sawn-timber market have made it increasingly crucial for sawmillers to streamline their businesses to remain competitive. Electricity supply constraints and a steep increase in diesel prices make it expensive to run generators to supplement power and get products to market by truck.

A growing sawmilling sector that competes for an ever-thinner slice of the log supply pie, combined with high log prices, has put margins under pressure. Operational cost increases brought on by various factors have also eroded margins further. 

Commercial plantations in the area are closely linked to key offtake markets like board and sawn timber production, with the remainder up for grabs by the higher bidder. 

"The demand for logs and constraints on the supply side has made it tough for small and medium-sized sawmillers," says Denver. "Although the retail sector in the Eastern Cape dictates pricing. We're finding new markets willing to pay a premium". 

Denver says, "We're using Wood-Mizer's thin-kerf narrow bandsaw tech to recover every scrap of saleable material to boost profits". Although diesel costs have spiked, RD is offsetting some of it through the lower rolling resistance of Wood-Mizer's thin-kerf, narrow bandsaw technology. 

"It's become tough," says Denver de Kock. "It's hard work, and it's up to the individual to think innovatively around making the most from what they love doing.

Sawmilling in the blood

"In my instance, sawmilling is in my blood. I work on the business from early to late. I think about the company when I wake up and go to bed. And importantly, I'm hands-on. 

RD Sawmill stands out for several reasons. The mill signage welcoming visitors is new and well-maintained, testimony to Denver's careful hand over the entire business. The sawmill uses its sawdust for extra revenue. Blades are maintained in its saw shop for a sharp cut in the morning. The sawn product is precise, and the stacked sawn timber is standing regimentally straight and ready for delivery.

"We're privileged to have a business and a supplier network like Wood-Mizer that partner with us to build forward and prosper", comments Denver.

Source: Wood-Mizer.

The journey to modern silviculture systems 

The second day of the Silviculture 4.0: Smart Technology from Nursery to Field conference moved from focusing on nurseries to the nitty gritty of getting the plants into the prepared soil and ensuring their survival as cost-effectively as possible. 

The three-day event was hosted by Nelson Mandela University (NMU's) Forsilvitech, represented by Ellepot South Africa's Shaun Biggs and Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana of NMU. Modernisation and automation of silviculture operations, global trends, soil preparation for planting, planting systems, weeding, fertilising, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and productivity were the main topics under the microscope.

Mondi

A regular speaker at precision forestry events, Dr Dean Da Costa from Mondi described the background to Mondi's journey in modernising its silviculture operations since 2012. He said the drivers are safety considerations such as ergonomics, productivity, quality, social responsibility and cost savings. 

Dean said Mondi's strategic modernisation goal was to "Optimise timber volumes by growing the correct tree species on a sustainable basis through planned and documented processes".

The technical aspect focuses on overcoming steep slope and rough terrain challenges, integrating pitting, planting, and fertilising technologies, and considering the costs of mechanised and semi-mechanised operations on productivity and quality improvements.

The move from manual to motor-manual or mechanised silviculture improves working conditions, eliminates safety risks, upskills the workforce and improves productivity. 

Dean emphasised the need for a clear silviculture strategy because it impacts the company's value chain. Mondi has and continues to invest in research site genotype matching, residue management, site preparation, planting, blanking, coppicing, plant maintenance and forest protection. 

Sibusiso Sibanyoni presented Mondi's modern pre-canopy weeding operations. The company has embraced technologies including various boom sprayers, tracked John Deere and New Holland tractors, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) (commonly known as drones), boom sprayers with lances or dribble bards and manual tools. 

Sibusiso said the next step is enhancing data analysis capabilities using digital tools, integrating systems, partnerships with machinery and herbicide manufacturers, and standardising operations.

Global trends

Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana from NMU spoke about the global modern silviculture trends. The change drivers are health and safety, escalating costs, quality and productivity improvements, social challenges, environmental issues and better adherence to certification body requirements. 

Muedanyi said that globally, in 2035, most silviculture operations will still be manual; however, technology will influence them. Companies must be well informed about the latest technologies, have a clear silviculture strategy, constantly gather and analyse data from their operations, and adapt and improve. 

Mulching

Dr Jacob Crous from Sappi Forest's land management research programme spoke about the benefits and disadvantages of mulching on early tree growth. Soil fertility is a concern because the treatments impact soil's chemical, physical and biological properties. 

Sappi's research found that mulching improves soil moisture in dry conditions and conserves organic matter and nutrients. The survival rate of trees planted in burnt soil was 79.8% compared with 88.9% in mulched soil.

Jacob acknowledged there are downsides to mulching apart from its expense. However, "mulching should be the preferred slash-management practice. More research is needed to understand why not all sites respond positively to mulching, find ways to reduce mulching costs and find equipment that can work on steep slopes".

Mechanised planting

Dr Rafael Ribeiro Soler from Bracke Forest's presentation was about flat, moderate, and steep terrain planting technologies. He introduced the Bracke planters for excavators, which feature a slow-release fertiliser applicator and irrigation options.

Fanie Viljoen from Novelquip Forestry shared insights on the company's journey towards a mechanised planter where the focus is on quality before quantity. 

In 2021, Novelquip partnered with Ponsse and Epec to develop the world's first forwarder-based planter. The concept machine has been tested in South Africa and by Suzano in Brazil. It consists of a four-head planter built on the Ponsse Buffalo forwarder featuring four self-contained planting units. 

The fully automatic machine feeds seedlings from cassettes to the planting heads that make the pits, place the seedlings, firm the soil, irrigate and restart. It has two planting modes: 

The machine operates for 95 minutes before it needs to be replenished in the field in a process that takes about 12 minutes.

Fanie said the present planting quality achieved with the concept machine is 90%; however, they are pushing for 98%.

Data-driven technology

Duncan Fryer from Stihl continued the emphasis on technology. He spoke about the Stihl Smart Connector, a cloud-based system that captures the machines' usage data and transmits it via Bluetooth to the STIHL Connected App on a smartphone or tablet within range. The App stores and submits the data to the Stihl cloud via Wi-Fi or mobile network. The portal allows for easy management of fleet performance and management data. 

Roedolf Nieuwenhuis from Cropwatch Africa discussed using advanced data-driven technology for pest and disease detection. High-resolution satellite imagery enables large-scale monitoring of forest areas. Drones with multispectral or thermal sensors enhance this data by conducting aerial surveillance. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping integrates the data to identify pest hotspots and disease-prone zones. 

Ground-based sensors and weather stations provide critical real-time data on local microclimates. Roedolf said modern forest managers should combine advanced technologies and AI for a holistic, data-driven approach to early detection, precision interventions, sustainable practices, and adaptive management of pests and diseases. 

Santiago Ferrando from Uruguay spoke about the benefits of using the STA logger system. It is an integrated data logging attachment that fits certain knapsack and boom sprayer brands. It records the location, time, herbicide application events, and area sprayed and categorises data into groups (like weed types). 

Data is uploaded to the cloud, processed and delivered to his desktop or mobile device. It assists decision-making, letting his company achieve 95% traceability in planting, replanting, and replacement operations. 

Chemical applications

Sean McKenzie from Silvix spoke about the operational productivity of infield equipment and ergonomic standards for operator comfort and efficiency. He highlighted a few of the company's products:

Sean introduced the company's latest product, the Nutree Bag, a precise fertiliser application. One bag in the hole while planting contains enough controlled-release fertiliser for a year.

Matt Houghting from PACSys said the benefits of using drones (RPAS) in silviculture operations are invaluable. Drones can be programmed to deliver precise amounts of pesticide in specified areas. There is limited spray drift because it is as low as 3m above the plants. It is productive, fuel-efficient and safe. He put the 40-litre drone through its paces on the field day in a demonstration that impressed the attendees.

Comparisons

NMU MSc student Mduduzi Junior Khoza discussed his research comparing the operational productivity and quality of manual and semi-mechanised planting methods. It compared manual planting tubes (pitless) and semi-mechanised high-pressure planting methods on burnt areas with different slash loads. 

The results found higher productivity for the manual method (50 and 60% higher) across the different slash conditions. Regarding planting quality, both methods achieved high planting success rates (90%), with manual planting having a slight edge (+3%). Junior concluded that while manual planting methods continue to be productive, there is significant potential for semi-mechanised approaches in certain conditions, supporting ongoing initiatives to modernise planting techniques.

Aphelele Angel Goldsmith from Stellenbosch University said his research aimed to assess the effectiveness of slash burning and disc harrowing on fuel load and stand productivity of Eucalypts in Mpumalanga. 

Angel found disc harrowing played a crucial role in fire management by breaking the horizontal continuity of fuel, which reduces the fire spread rate and fuel loading, thereby lowering fire intensity. However, the study noted a lack of quantified evidence regarding the long-term effects of these practices.

The study highlighted that repeated disc harrowing and prescribed burning influence root distribution patterns, significantly affecting the overall growth of Eucalyptus grandis × nitens, tree stand density, volume, and biomass production.

The last speaker of the event was Thembinkosi Zulu from NMU. He compared the operational productivity of pitting machine operators on burnt and mulched sites while also assessing the quality of the pits they produced in depth and diameter. 

Using an M-PAT single-head pitting machine mounted on a Volvo EC55B compact excavator, data was collected from two compartments with similar terrain and soil types but different residue statuses (90% burnt versus 80% mulched). Each operator was assigned 10 plots, with 160 pits per plot, and productivity and pit quality were recorded. 

The results showed that mulched sites had higher productivity (158 pits/plot) than burnt sites (136 pits/plot). More experienced operators consistently outperformed others, with productivity ranging from 200 to 600 pits per hour. Pit quality was strongly linked to operator experience rather than the specific site conditions, with more experienced operators producing a higher proportion of good-quality pits. 

Thembinkosi concluded that operator experience significantly impacts productivity and pit quality and that marking planting positions on mulched sites increased efficiency.

By Joy Crane & Justin Nyakudanga

The journey to smart propagation systems

Advances in manual, semi-mechanised, automated and robot-assisted silvicultural technologies were discussed at the modern silviculture symposium, and it seems the common global thread in commercial nurseries is the Ellepot paper pots propagation system.

It is used extensively in South America and has taken root in South Africa, where it is used by most large forestry and horticultural nurseries. In New Zealand, Scion and forestry companies like Timberlands are experimenting with moving away from bare root hedges and using paper pots and containerised stock. 

Underscoring the move to modernised nurseries is data collection and analysis and appropriate reactions. Speaking at the symposium, Dr Sascha Beck-Pay suggested that forestry nurseries join the Seedling Growers Association of South Africa (SGASA) and use its auditing system to add value to their nursery management practices.

Suzano

Suzano’s Dr Alex Freitas and Bruno Reis described the strategic and operational benefits of automating nurseries, paper pots and mechanised planting systems in Brazil. Suzano is Latin America’s largest paper and pulp company and celebrates its centenary this year.

Bruno and Alex said the company invests in research, development and innovation to mitigate climate change, the shortage of labour caused by mass urbanisation, increasing costs and challenges of managing the seedling supply chain over a vast geographic spread. 

The company harnesses strategic nursery alliances, genomics, software, sensors, drones, aircraft, artificial intelligence (AI) and data from sources that include NASA to model, develop and implement high-tech, traceable and site-specific clonal forestry.

Ellepot

Wynand de Swardt of Sappi, Geert Maris of TTA, Joep Hendricks of ISO Horti Innovators, Darcy Werneck and Darren Stone of Ellepot and Craig Ford of Timberlands spoke about changing propagation regimes and automation and materials handling in “smart” nurseries. 

Wynand, Sappi Forests Nurseries Divisional Manager, explained how the changing forestry environments, customer needs, technologies, employee health and safety, and production costs prompted Sappi’s journey to build intelligent nurseries.

He described the improved nursery systems Sappi is implementing and how ellepot propagation systems are integral to the process. 

Darren and Darcey from Ellepot highlighted the significance of using Ellepots. They said Ellepot is a disruptive technology that has changed forestry nurseries for 20 years. 

It reduces propagation time by 15%, optimises space and resources in the nursery, and increases seedling survival rate by 20-30% on marginal sites, saving money and resources on blanking and mortalities infield.

Geert of TTA in the Netherlands said that the country’s horticulture industry is facing issues including declining seed quality, rising cost of labour, and the lack of manual labour for nurseries. These challenges have necessitated innovations such as automated nursery propagation, seedling handling and transport systems. 

Irrigation

Shaun of Ellepot SA emphasised the importance of managing irrigation in forestry nurseries. “I believe 90% of plant issues are caused in the nurseries”.

Irrigation systems must be well-designed and built around the macro- and micro-climate needs of the plants. The macro climate is influenced by the greenhouse design and climate control tools. 

Nursery managers must understand the micro-climate because the pot dimensions, Ellepot paper and substrate properties affect the air-to-water ratio. “We must be more on the ball with irrigation when using paper pots”, he commented.

Moisture levels must be constantly managed, the data collected and processed and decisions made as quickly as possible. “Technology is moving fast, and sensors are getting cheaper”, Shaun said. “AI is coming in and giving us powerful environmental control tools. However, nothing beats letting the roots do the talking”, he advised.

Research in New Zealand

Craig is the Nursery Operations Manager at Kaingaroa Timberlands in New Zealand. He presented the research undertaken by the company in comparing the New Zealand standard practice of bare root production with containerised production. 

Bare root production is manual labour intensive with highly seasonal production and planting times. The industry considers bare-root planting stock tough and containerised planting stock “softer. However, labour costs are escalating, temperatures are increasing with less predictable rainfall, fewer permitted chemicals and poor water management all contribute to containerised stock opportunities. 

Craig said the research was done using two containerised and two barefoot treatments. The containerised systems with the TS48 trays, paper pots and ellepot trays. Clones in Ellepots lifted 11% higher than the identical clones in bare-root nurseries (62% vs 51%). Two clones in Ellepots were dispatched in May at 76% and 66%. They are usually ready only in September. 

“Global and local experience has highlighted that the Ellepot system provides further advantages over other containerised systems”, he said.

Research in SA

Dr Ullrich Hechter discussed Mondi’s tests comparing paper pots with Unigro 128 inserts using Sutherland media or an Eucalyptus clone and seedling on a poor site at Dumbe. The control was Unigro 128 with Mondi media and no fertiliser.

The first objective was to test the robustness of paper pots in terms of initial survival using “single-pass planting” with semi-mechanised planting equipment to ascertain the potential to fully mechanise planting in the future. 

The second objective was to evaluate tree survival and growth for two different root plug types to determine which root plug combination is the best suited for the implementation of “single-pass planting” (>95 % survival at three months). The third objective was determining which root plug type best suits fully automated planting.

Ullrich said they found planting paper pots more efficient because there is less handling. Also, paper pot root plugs are more consolidated, retain moisture better and have more active white roots than plastic insert root plugs. Significantly, paper pot root plugs are hardier than plastic insert root plugs and can withstand more mishandling, especially using semi-mechanised and fully mechanised planting systems.

He concluded that there are potential benefits of using paper pots for re-establishment purposes.

Three-month results at Dumbe show that paper pot plugs outperform Unigro 128 plugs in initial survival and growth, promoting “single-pass planting”. The reasons for this may lie with the improved survival of paper pot plants due to better quality root plugs and improved robustness.

Twelve-month results show that paper pot plugs improve growth and uniformity compared to Unigro 128 plugs, which is significant for seedlings and not for clones. Ullrich cautioned, “Determining final yield gains through paper pots and control release fertiliser requires monitoring for at least a rotation. However, early canopy closure results may indicate the potential improvement at the rotation end.

Labour

The question arising from the first day of the conference: How do we balance automation of operations and the social responsibility of employing communities living around tree plantations? How can the global forestry community marry advancement in nursery technology with semi- and skilled labour and address unemployment in rural areas?”.


By Joy Crane & Justin Nyakudanga

Back to basics focus for KZN wattle growers

NCT Forestry organised an informative field day in October for its members and farmers in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands region. Terry Wolhuter of Elands Spruit Farm in New Hanover hosted the event.

Roger Poole, from NCT, explained that the wattle farming area in KZN has been decreasing over the past decade due to various factors such as land returned to new owners who are not interested in tree farming, wattle being vulnerable to pests and diseases, and damage caused by wild and domesticated animals.

The theme for the day was 'Back to Basics', meaning it is crucial to focus on getting the basic principles of tree farming right to ensure the health of your trees and to get a return on your investment.

The day was divided into two parts. Indoors, attendees heard presentations on pests and diseases by Brett Hurley from the Forestry & Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the demand for pulpwood during the 2024-2025 financial season by Rob Thompson of NCT.

The outdoor session included presentations from NCT's tree farming manager, Craig Norris, on wattle clones, planting, pruning, thinning, and maintenance by Friedel Eggers of UCL, as well as the timber specs required by the NCT mills for harvested timber by NCT's Greytown area manager Cliff Walton.

INDOOR SESSION

Wattle pathogens

Brett Hurley of FABI and the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) started the day's programme with information on the latest pest and pest-related diseases affecting wattle trees.

These include the wattle rust fungus, which infects the foliage of trees and stems of saplings, flowers, and seed pods. Telia, resembling brown powdery masses, develop dry on young host tissue but become slimy under wet conditions. In severe cases, wattle rust can reduce the growth of young black wattle trees by up to 40%. A lot of work is being done through the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) to breed rust-tolerant trees.

Other noteworthy pathogens in the KZN region are Ceratocystis wilt and Phytophthora species. The Ceratocystis wilt is a relatively new disease that affects wounds on black wattle. Hence, it is crucial when pruning to make clean cuts and avoid unnecessary stem damage, as these can become entry points of this pathogen.

Phytophthora spp is present in the midlands area, causing leaf and root rot. The Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) is doing research to gain a better understanding of this pathogen.

Wattle pests

Brett said tree pests affecting wattle includethe Melanterius seed weevil, Aqrilus grandis, a wood-boring jewel beetle, and white grubs.

The Melanterius weevils are seed feeders that lay eggs and feed on wattle seed. Lately, it has been noted that there has been a shift in its feeding pattern, and it is now infesting and feeding on young shoots and twigs of the black wattle. The weevils typically have one generation per year, coinciding with seed maturity. The Melanterius weevil is present in the Howick region.

The Agrilus grandis jewel beetle is a wood borer in the Melmoth region. It is native to the South and East African areas. It bores underneath the bark and leaves a network of tunnels. Researchers are trying to find out why it is now attacking wattle.

Ongoing work is being done on white grubs to learn more about the different species and what drives them. Brett requested growers to alert the FABI team if they detect heavy white grub infestations on their farms and plantations.

Brett said FABI’s Diagnostic Clinic is open to NCT and TWK members and partners free of charge. Individuals and organisations that are not members are charged a fee for the service. The clinic identifies plant pests and diseases so that appropriate management strategies can be adopted.

Pulpwood demand 2024-2025

NCT's Rob Thompson began his presentation with a reality check: "If you thought we were the only ones with problems, please think again".

He said 46,000 American workers in all 36 ports went on strike for about four days recently, demanding a wage increase of up to 50%. The strike cost America over $5 billion per day and caused shortages of items ranging from bananas to essential goods.

Shifting the focus closer to home, Rob announced that NCT Richards Bay Mill's two chipping lines are operating well. Durban Wood Chips has recently reopened after a successful mill service shutdown in September, with the damaged vessel loader now back in operation.

Rob noted that NCT's current challenges included the strong Rand-Dollar exchange rate (R17,44 on 8 October 2024) and the hard and dry wattle being received by the mill, which negatively affected chipping blades. This old stock has been significantly drawn down at the mills and NCT farm depots.

Pulpwood demand for the 2024 – 2025 financial period indicates that Durban Wood Chips will require an estimated 500,000 tons of wattle and 120,000 tons of Eucalyptus smithii. Richards Bay Wood Chip would need about 1,3 million tons of wattle. Thompson hoped 2025 would be prosperous for NCT, its members, and partners.

IN THE FIELD

Wattle clones

NCT's Craig Norris explained why planting clones in modern forestry is preferable. Wattle clones are genetically identical which means they grow better, there is more uniformity and need less thinning. For example, rust-tolerant clones have a higher MAI (mean annual increment) than commercial seedlings.

He advised farmers to plant the frost-tolerant clones at the exposed valley bottoms where frost occurs. “Frost tolerant does not mean frost-resistant”, he warned, “they are more likely to survive severe frost events”.

SP644 was the first commercial rust-tolerant clone released in SA and was fast-tracked to combat the impact of wattle rust. It shows increased growth and better uniformity than commercial black wattle seedlings.

Craig said AF01 is currently the best-performing rust-tolerant wattle clone. Corrective pruning may be necessary due to heavier branching.

JC108 is the latest rust-tolerant clone to be released. It is similar to AF01 but with a better stem form. FW54 is currently the only frost-tolerant wattle clone on the market. It is explicitly bred for rust tolerance but shows no growth advantage over commercial seedlings.

Craig urged growers to remember:

Silviculture

Friedel Eggers of UCL stressed the importance of good site preparation before planting, including the correct pit depth and width (25cm x 25cm) and pre-plant weeding (weed-free pits). Planting espacement of 3m x 1.8m is recommended for clones, and you need to maintain the compartment weed-free for the first year.

Pruning should be done in winter before the trees are two metres tall. Prune only the double leaders and branches competing with the prominent stem leader. Do not over-prune, as it can inhibit tree growth. Make clean cuts, not too close to the main stem, to avoid infection.

Friedel said that if the above is observed and the site is ideal for wattle, it is easy to get yields of up to 120 tonnes per hectare from wattle clones. This produces a nett standing value (after harvesting and transport costs are deducted) of roughly R90,000/hectare.

Specifications

NCT's Cliff Walton outlined the timber specifications for harvesting wattle. Logs must not be fire-damaged as it is difficult for the mills to bleach burnt timber. The correct length for logs is 2.4m, with diameters between 5cm and 40cm. There must be no knots, bark, and mud. The logs must be delivered 4 to 10 weeks after felling.

Ensure that the logs are free of contamination like nails, steel, plastic, fungal growth, oil or anything else that may negatively influence pulp quality. Other factors to watch out for include drought-stressed timber, which is identified by low moisture and the presence of wood borers.

Thanks to the sponsors

The field day ended with a braai and drinks courtesy of NCT and other event sponsors, including Stihl, Midlands Spray Chem, Sunshine Seedlings, TWK, Rhino Charcoal, Rolfes Agri, and Eland Earth Moving.

The SA forestry and forest products sector marks 15 years of transformation

The Forest Sector Charter Council (FSCC) marks a decade and a half of overseeing and reporting the forestry and forest products sector's progress in achieving its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) codes of good practice targets.

The B-BBEE Act aims to advance economic transformation and enhance the economic participation of black people in the South African economy. The FSCC was established through the Forest Sector Code. Its mandate is to oversee transformation in the forestry sector's growers, contractors, fibre (pulp and paper), sawmilling, poles and charcoal industries.

The council consists of industry, government, community and labour representatives. It reports to the ministries of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE) and trade, industry and competition (DTIC). It is chaired by Nelly Ndlovu, CEO of Mondi Zimele.

Forestry South Africa (FSA), Sawmilling South Africa (SSA), and other industry bodies encourage its members to continue reporting on B-BBEE and to share their certificates and underlying reports with the FSCC. The council's annual status report is the only truly objective means of assessing transformation in the sector, and it is critical to prevent selective and biased reports or generalisations about the sector from being made.

The facts

The South African forestry and product sector contributes around R39 billion to the economy and provides employment for around 150,000 people.

Speaking at the anniversary event celebrating the progress made in 15 years, FSCC chairperson Nelly Ndlovu said transformation in the sector "has not been a finite destination but a journey, lengthy, and at times difficult. It is a process of real change".

This is evident in the industry moving from beginning at Level 6 to achieving Level 3 in 2023 and again this year.

Discussing the sector's progress, FSCC Executive Director Khosi Mavimbela noted that in 2009, it committed to improving its B-BBEE track record. "The sector, comprising several forestry landowners and producers of sawn timber, pulp and paper, and charcoal, has sought to include black South Africans through meaningful economic participation", she said.

Mavimbela noted that while there has been fluctuating and inconsistent reporting in the past, there has been a significant rise across the three categories of enterprises:

Reporting MLEs grew from three in 2009/2010 to 35 in 2023/2024. In 2009/2010, five QSEs submitted reports, while the number of reporting EMEs grew from 19 to 100.

Scorecard progress

Since 2009, the number of reporting entities across the enterprise size categories has increased from 27 to 191.

The sector has made notable progress across the five B-BBEE scorecard elements between the 2009/2010 and 2023/2024 reporting periods. However, when considering the sector's overall performance, some companies have met their targets but only exceeded them in one of the five elements.

  1. Ownership: increased from 11.6 to 18
  2. Management control: 9.6 to 10.1 (when combined with employment equity)
  3. Skills development: 7.95 t o14
  4. Enterprise and supplier development (preferential procurement): 28.5 to 39
  5. Socio-economic development has exceeded the target score 5 by 2 points since 2009.

MLEs moved from Level 5 in 2009/2010 to Level 3 in the recent reporting period. QSEs progressed from Level 3 to Level 2, while EMEs moved from Level 4 to Level 2.

Sharing success

Several success stories of transformation and socio-economic development were championed at the 15th-anniversary event in Sandton, Johannesburg, on 9 October.

Delivering the keynote address, Bernice Swarts, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, said, "I believe that the forestry sector has developed resilience and has often course-corrected to achieve its various milestones, not least of which being the upliftment of employees, communities, and the many stakeholders it engages.

"Because of its national reach, it plays a key role in tackling our country's triple burden of unemployment, poverty, and inequality, especially in rural areas where opportunities are scarce".

A panel discussion, chaired by Talk Radio 702 presenter Gugu Mhlungu, reviewed the milestones and considered solutions for more inclusive growth, sustainable practices, and enhanced community development.

The panellists were:

They shared their thoughts and experiences on transformation and empowerment.

Grassroots upliftment

A series of videos were shared during the event. Forestry contractor Zinhle Mbuyazi explained that she took over the family business from her father, drawing inspiration from his passion for forestry. She has thrived and encourages young women not to give up. "If you have your brain and heart, you will succeed," she said.

Another example was the Komasi Woodwork Project in the rural community of Weza, KwaZulu-Natal, supported by a local sawmill. Locals learn essential woodworking skills through the initiative and refurbish desks for underprivileged schools.

She is Forestry

The She is Forestry initiative, backed by FSCC and FSA, encourages women in business and students, graduates, scientists, and contractors to share their personal stories. The videos are welcomed by girls in rural schools because they expand their horizons and inspire them to overcome self-doubt, peer pressure, and life-changing teenage pregnancy.

"You can live from the soil. You can educate your children, provide for them, and have a home. All because of the soil. The soil changes everything," said timber farmer Rejoice Shozi, who took over the family timber-growing business when her mother passed away in 2015. Shozi is one of 3,600 small timber growers who gained practical support from a corporate forestry programme.

Reflect and adapt

"FSCC sees 15 years of transformation as an opportunity to do more than simply celebrate the achieved milestones. It is the chance to reflect on the lessons learnt and adapt our approach appropriately to capitalise on the transformation opportunities ahead of us", said Makhosazana Mavimbela, FSCC Executive Director.

Weston Agricultural College wins the Forest Rehabilitation Challenge

The Weston Agricultural College boys celebrate their victory in the tree planting challenge at Ferncliffe forest
The Weston Agricultural College boys celebrate their victory in the tree planting challenge at Ferncliffe forest

Husqvarna recently teamed up with a conservation NGO and two prominent KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) schools to host a Forest Rehabilitation Challenge in the Ferncliffe natural forest on the edge of Pietermaritzburg.

Ferncliffe is a beautiful mist belt forest that has been heavily invaded by alien vegetation that is becoming a significant threat to biodiversity.

The challenge involved learners from Durban High School (DHS) and Weston Agricultural College competing in a tree-planting race designed to raise awareness of the need for environmental stewardship and contribute to the restoration of the Ferncliffe forest at the same time.

"We were truly touched by the enthusiasm of DHS and Weston, who signed up despite the boys' busy schedules and approaching school holidays," said Timothy Isabirye, Husqvarna South Africa's Marketing Manager.

The Husqvarna team partnered with local conservation NGO Ferncliffe Forest Wilding to host the event.

"With our sales office in Pietermaritzburg, it was natural to give back to our immediate community", explained Timothy. "And our commitment to sustainability and local environmental protection aligned perfectly with NPO Ferncliffe Forest Wilding's mission, making them the perfect partner for this initiative".

Janine Stephen, a representative from Ferncliffe Forest Wilding, said, "We were really excited when Husqvarna approached us with the idea of the challenge. Collaborating with schools and businesses like Husqvarna to protect and restore endangered mist belt forest habitat is exactly the kind of community-driven action we need in a world where so much biodiversity is threatened".

Competitive fun

In an exhilarating race, boys from each school, armed with spades and gloves provided by Husqvarna, were tasked with digging 15 holes as quickly as possible. As expected, the competitive spirit was high. Still, focusing on making a positive difference in the environment stayed at the top of everyone's mind.

In the end, it was Weston Agricultural College that emerged victorious. They earned bragging rights and a Husqvarna battery-operated leaf blower worth R10,000, including accessories for their school and a trophy to celebrate their achievement.

DHS didn't go home empty-handed. They were rewarded with a R5,000 e-commerce voucher to use on the Husqvarna South Africa website. Participating learners also received a certificate recognising their contribution to this impactful initiative.

Fantastic opportunity

"This challenge was a fantastic opportunity for our learners to step up and contribute to something greater," said Barry Coskey, DHS Head of Marketing and Admissions. "At DHS, we aim to develop responsible, motivated young men with strong moral convictions, and today, they truly embodied those values".

Amber Pollock, Head of Marketing for Weston, said, "At Weston, we love embracing challenges, particularly those safeguarding our environment. We also strive to instil a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility in our learners, and this initiative provided an excellent opportunity for them to rise to the occasion."

The event has laid the foundation for what is hoped to become an annual event, expanding its reach and impact in the coming years. "This is just the beginning. We're committed to making this challenge an annual celebration where schools come together to compete and create real, lasting environmental change," Timothy concluded.

The Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge is part of the brand's sustainability and community engagement commitment.

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