Cape Forest Products is a new dawn for South Africa's forestry sector

*The optimising cross-cut system at PG Bison's Thesen Sawmill in George*

The merger of PG Bison’s Southern Cape sawmilling operations with MTO Forestry Southern and Eastern Cape operations to create a new company, Cape Forests Products, creates a more sustainable timber and sawmilling industry in the Southern Cape.

CEO of the newly formed Cape Forests Products, Greg Woodbridge, says, “This merger heralds an exciting new dawn for an industry that is so important to the region in terms of sustaining jobs.” Cape Forests Products will employ directly and indirectly over 2,500 forestry and sawmilling people in the region.

The devastating fires in recent years have severely impacted the forestry and sawmilling operations in the area, and it will take several years for operations to recover to pre-fire levels. As a result, the various businesses were operating at suboptimal levels.

“Our customers are situated predominantly in the Western, Southern and Eastern Cape. The merger means we can offer them a more reliable source of supply and a wider variety of quality products from our various operations”, Woodbridge explains.

Cape Forests Products will consist of PG Bison Southern Cape’s about 10,200 hectares of forestry plantations; the Thesen sawmill in George and its Woodline pole plant in Groot Brakrivier, and MTO Forestry’s about 31,700 hectares of leased forestry plantation and its sawmills in George and Longmore.

“The merger has created a significant black controlled business in the forestry and sawmilling sector with increased production and reliability of sawlog supply, improved efficiencies and sustainable sawn timber supply, all of which will encourage further investment and enhanced competitiveness”, says Woodbridge.

The merger is subject to approval by the Competition Commission.

When Knysna’s woodcutters cut wood

Oxen offloading logs at Thesens Sawmill. Pic by discover-sedgefield-south-africa.com

Adam Stander was born in the Knysna forest in 1928 and given two birth days, 22 November, when his name was carved on a tree to note his birth and 28 November, the day his woodcutter father travelled into town and registered his son’s birth.

The Knysna forest, which forms part of the “Garden Route” on South Africa’s southern coastline, was historically significant from colonial times as a natural timber resource used for fuelwood, construction, shipbuilding, furniture, and other purposes.

Life was hard

Life was hard for forest woodcutters. Boys from a young age laboured in their father’s harvesting team and were taken out of school when they were about 12 to work full-time. It was a challenging and dangerous life, with woodcutters working and camping in hazardous conditions to harvest and transport trees out of the forest to sawmills in Knysna.

Adam often regaled his daughter, Dalena Wolmarans, with stories of growing up and working with his father, and later with his own oxen, deep in the Knysna forest.

“Good for” payments

Woodcutters were usually paid with a “Good for” list of items they could exchange for their timber, including foodstuffs like sweet potatoes, flour, and coffee. This meant that no money was exchanged, which made it nearly impossible to save and break free from this kind of life.

On one occasion, potatoes were left in the fire overnight to cool. The elephants paid the camp a visit after dark, scratched out the potato treats and ate the men’s breakfast! Another time, the bread was five days old and too hard to eat. The men rolled it into hard balls that they threw at a few luckless doves, managing to kill them for dinner.

In 1913, a new Forest Act required woodcutters to register to practise their trade. The register of that time reflects 1,260 woodcutters.

The trees were numbered, and the registered men had to draw numbers out of a hat to obtain the trees they were allowed to harvest. They often had to walk deep into the forest to find and fell the allocated tree. Frequently, it was in a deep valley or on a steep slope, making it backbreaking to extract.

By this time, the government realised that harvesting indigenous timber was unsustainable and promoted the planting of pine plantations.

In those days trains were also used to extract logs from the Garden Route indigenous forests. Pic by Discover-sedgefield-south-africa.com

Adam Stander legacy

Adam had an entrepreneurial spirit and was determined to work his way out of the forest. In 1950, the owner of a Knysna garage was so impressed by the young man’s resolve that he did an unheard-of thing in those days and loaned him the money to buy a truck.

For almost 30 years, AJJ Stander Vervoer transported pine for Thesens Sawmill, the largest sawmill in the area at the time, until its wood yard burned down. Thereafter, he hauled timber for Urbans Sawmill in George.

He also established Adam Stander Houtverkope and a sawmill until he handed the reins to Dalena to continue growing the family legacy.

New Interim Forest Stewardship Standard for Zimbabwe

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has released the new Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Zimbabwe, which incorporates the FSC's latest Principles and Criteria for effective forest management. The standard will take effect on 1 January 2026.

The scope of the Zimbabwe standard encompasses plantation and indigenous forests. It includes large-scale and small- or low-intensity managed forests (SLIMFs). Producers of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are also catered for.

Growing deforestation

Zimbabwe is home to over 5,930 species of plants and more than 1,360 species of animals. Forests and woodlands currently cover about 35% of the country's total land area and play multiple essential roles critical to the livelihoods of poor rural communities.

In 2021, the forest products sector accounted for about 3% of Zimbabwe's total GDP. The country has three major forest ecosystems: Baikiaea, which comprises 25% of total forest cover; Miombo, covering 30%; and Mopane, accounting for 45%.

However, deforestation is an urgent issue. Between 1990 and 2010, Zimbabwe lost an average of 1.48% of its forest cover each year, totalling over 6.5 million hectares. Data from Global Forest Watch indicate that between 2002 and 2024, the country lost 1.02 million hectares (13%) of humid primary forest, accounting for 0.43% of its total tree cover loss during that period.

According to the Forestry Commission, the country loses an average of 330,000 hectares of forest land each year due to agricultural expansion, tobacco curing, overreliance on fuelwood energy, increased human settlement, uncontrolled veld fires, and the introduction of invasive alien species. At the current rate of forest loss, it is estimated that Zimbabwe could lose all its forests within 52 years.

Sustainable forestry

The new IFSS represents a significant advancement in FSC's commitment to promoting sustainable forestry practices in Zimbabwe. Forest certification ensures that plantations are managed responsibly and sustainably, protecting the rights of forest workers and communities, safeguarding the environment, and ensuring the profitability of the forest enterprise. It will facilitate the export of Zimbabwean forest products and enhance competitiveness.

The development of this standard was a collaborative effort. In 2023, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) appointed the non-governmental organisation Soil Association Certification to develop Interim Forest Stewardship Standards (IFSS) for Zimbabwe.

Soil Association's forestry standards specialists, Vanessa Linforth and Jeanette Clarke, facilitated the standard development process in Zimbabwe, working closely with the lead forestry agency, the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission. Stakeholders were identified in 2023 and participated in several online and onsite consultations, culminating in a workshop in Lusaka where various industries and community members discussed the second draft of the standard.

The IFSS is aligned with the 2023 Zimbabwe National Forest Policy and the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025), which is Zimbabwe's first five-year Medium-Term Plan, aimed at realising the country's Vision 2030 for national development.

The IFSS for Zimbabwe can be downloaded from the FSC Document Centre http://apo-opa.co/4pXWczx

Making the cut: Jana van Heerden's technical journey in woodworking

Janarien (Jana) van Heerden brings electrical expertise and mechanical precision to her role as woodworking machine technician at CMC Group, and, as South Africa's only female technician in this specialised field, she's charting new territory in the forestry sector.

Jana's journey began with her 2020 electrician qualification from Sol-Tech, followed by experience in the plastics industry. When she responded to CMC's technician advertisement in 2023, her background with machine components like bearings and motors caught their attention.

"Although I had solid experience with mechanical systems, I knew nothing about wood," Jana recalls. "Leon Fourie's confidence in offering me the woodworking machine technician position was both surprising and encouraging."

Proving expertise

Jana's role spans installation, commissioning, and servicing advanced CNC and woodworking machinery across Southern Africa, with projects completed in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Her arrival at client sites invariably creates a moment of surprise.

"There's always that initial reaction when I arrive at a factory and they realise I'm the technician they've been waiting for," she explains. "Most production departments in woodworking, kitchen manufacturing, and shopfitting are managed by men, so seeing a female technician is unexpected."

However, van Heerden's technical competence quickly establishes credibility. Her electrical foundation covering single- and three-phase systems, manufacturing processes, and PLC principles, proves essential when calibrating equipment for diverse applications.

"The characteristics of different timber species, engineered boards like particle board and MDF and edge banding materials on tooling and machine settings are fascinating," she explains. "Each material demands specific technical adjustments".

Recognition and growth

A career highlight came in February with a hands-on learning opportunity at KDT's manufacturing facility in China, where Jana expanded her expertise on industrial-scale operations.

Pieter Olivier, Founder and CEO of the CMC Group, says he is proud of her achievements. "We believe in equal opportunities for anyone who is competent in what they do", he comments. "Jana regards everything as a learning experience, and her positive attitude in the workplace, respect for her colleagues and our clients make her achievements and performance exceptional".

Jana credits her success to mentoring from CMC’s technical manager, Flippie Badenhorst and the supportive environment. "The respect and dignity I've experienced from management and colleagues has been exceptional. Everyone has invested in my development".

Her Sol-Tech training, which included a practical industry year emphasising service delivery excellence, continues to inform her approach. "Understanding both the technical and service aspects is crucial. Ultimately, results speak louder than first impressions".

A vibrant Elmia Wood 2025 bodes well

Anticipation at the gates for Elmia Wood 2025

By Alan Sherrard

Elmia Wood 2025 brought together forestry professionals from around the world to the forest of Bratteborg, just outside Jönköping, Sweden. A total of 27,751 visitors from 48 countries and 327 exhibitors from 25 countries enlivened the quiet woods over the three-day show.

In keeping with its five-decade heritage, the trade show was defined by live machinery demonstrations, innovations, and an atmosphere filled with optimism for the future and business opportunities.

For many exhibitors, both old and new, a trade show like Elmia Wood is an ideal platform for product updates and launches. Indeed, the 50th anniversary exhibition, along with several Elmia Classics scattered throughout the grounds, served as a reminder of just how much innovation and business have evolved.

While most of the "big iron" forest machinery brands were missing from the exhibitor list, for reasons previously communicated by the brands, those that did participate took full advantage of having less competition on site.

Logset

Logset, one of the few big iron forest machinery companies that participated, had a full demo stand showcasing its eight-wheeled harvester and a new version of its 4F GT forwarder.

Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony

The Logset TH90 harvester head is the largest in the new 4.0 series — Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony

The company released four new harvester head models, thereby expanding its range of harvester heads. The 4.0 series replaces the 3.0 series, which was first introduced in 2009, with the TH60, TH70, TH80, and TH90, respectively.

Each model includes key updates, including Bucher hydraulic valve block, offering advantages such as proportional control of the saw unit, measuring sensor repositioned above the rear feeding roller, extended frame length for increased stability, improved accessibility and optimised hose routing, reinforced tilt arch for enhanced durability, and powerful top saw option for the TH80.

Logset also launched a new crane line, the H series, with three model sizes, the H245, H325, and H405. Key features of the H series include an exceptional lifting capacity and performance across all functions, powerful hydraulic motors for smooth and powerful rotation, a hydraulic cylinder-based parallel linkage that offers flexible and precise movement, a robust frame construction ensuring long-term durability, and an extended tilt angle for versatile operation.

Vimek

Swedish forest machinery manufacturer Vimek AB, a Fassi Group company, launched a six-wheeled version of its popular four-wheeled 470 thinning harvester.

"This gives a much more stable harvester and lower ground pressure. At the same time, the excellent driving characteristics are maintained", said Åsa Eriksson, Technical Information Officer at Vimek.

Demonstration of the Alstor 850 forwarder

The Vimek popular 470 harvester is now available in a Next Generation 470 6WD that premiered at Elmia Wood 2025 — Demonstration of the Alstor 850 forwarder

"Sweden is large and has varying forestry conditions. With the 6-wheel concept, we are expanding further. 6WD, as we call it, is an interesting complement. Both the harvester and the forwarder are available with the six-wheel concept or their previous versions, which have four or eight wheels", explained Johannes Nilsson, CEO of Vimek.

"Forest owners like this size of machine. And in the end, the forest owner is our customer – after all, it is in their forest that our machines will achieve good results. Even if the machine is owned by the contractor, the forestry company, or the forest owner himself, the result in the forest is most important. And we know that the new 6WD concept delivers", Nilsson said.

Menzi Muck

Emil Glömmen from Swiss machinery manufacturer Menzi Muck was excited about the Elmia Wood debut of the firm's novel universal tool carrier.

While the flat, boulderless terrain in Bratteborg is anything but challenging for a Menzi Muck carrier, it provided an ideal platform to perform a spectacular "dance", demonstrating the carrier's unique capabilities in manoeuvrability while wowing onlookers.

The Menzi Muck's unique Transformer-like capabilities sparked the imagination of onlookers at Elmia Wood 2025

Logset launched its new H crane series featuring three model sizes, H245, H325, and H405 — The Menzi Muck's unique Transformer-like capabilities sparked the imagination of onlookers at Elmia Wood 2025

Steep slope logging in neighbouring Norway is the first forestry application that comes to mind, as well as other conventional vegetation control applications, such as roadside verges and utility right-of-way maintenance.

"Our tool carrier has gained a lot of attention at construction fairs. This is the first time we're exhibiting at Elmia Wood, and it feels like the perfect fit, given the forestry applications our machine can now offer," commented Emil Glömmen.

Bioenergy tech

As ever, there were plenty of firewood processors and biomass boilers in action and on display. Hardly surprising, since many forest owners and rural households source fuelwood from their backyards. A recreational and forest management activity that has an economic dividend.

Other notable bioenergy implements and equipment included various tree shears and accumulating harvesting heads, such as those from Farma, RagnarTech, and Bracke Forest. The dedicated bioenergy area, located on the forest trail, featured prominent brands in shredders, grinders, and chippers, including Albach, Bandit Industries, Bruks, Morbark, Terex–CBI, and Vermeer.

A Morbark Wood Hog 3400 XT horizontal grinder

With a 35-inch by 60-inch throat opening, the Bandit 2660EU can easily handle waste wood, and more — A Morbark Wood Hog 3400 XT horizontal grinder

"We're drawn to the broad international perspective Elmia Wood offers. The interest during our demo runs has exceeded expectations", said Thommy Nilsson, Sales Manager for Komptech in Sweden, who demonstrated their biomass crusher on-site.

While Albach had its Diamant, Bandit had its Beast, Komptech had its Axtor, Morbark had its Wood Hog, and Vermeer had its HG, all well-established and capable machines; RagnarTech stole the show.

Visitors were drawn to the size and colour of the all-new RagnarTech UFKES 9400, a legendary product from size reduction machinery builder Anders Ragnarsson, founder of CBI, which subsequently became part of Terex.

Chainsaws

To mark its 50th anniversary, Elmia Wood posted an array of information boards out on the forestry trail highlighting (technical) highlights of each event from its inception in 1975. Some of these Elmia Classic machines were scattered around the trail.

Exhibitors that have participated in all of Elmia's forestry fairs over the past 50 years were marked with a special 50th anniversary logo at their respective stands.

Local global "forest and garden" power tool manufacturer Husqvarna was one of a handful of exhibitors that has participated in all of Elmia's forestry fairs over the past 50 years.

A Homelite XL chainsaw kitted with a bowbar developed for bucking pulpwood on the ground.

A Pezzolato PTO powered tractor-crane-fed chipper — A Homelite XL chainsaw kitted with a bowbar developed for bucking pulpwood on the ground.

Lasse Strandell, Product Specialist at Husqvarna, said, "The atmosphere has been fantastic! Visitors are inquisitive about new developments and eager to try our chainsaws in practice. The test logs ran out almost immediately, which says something about the level of interest."

Germany-headquartered global power tool company, and cutting-edge competitor, STIHL AG, the headline sponsor of STIHL Timbersports, also celebrated 50 years at Elmia Wood.

"We've seen a fantastic flow of visitors and a strong interest in our latest products. The new trail layout has helped, and we've had people in the stand all day. We're thrilled", said Clara Bergström, Product Manager for Stihl's professional range at Andreas Stihl Norden AB.

Logosol

Elmia Wood is not just about showing or demonstrating products – deals are done right out in the woods. Portable sawmill manufacturer Logosol used Elmia Wood to premiere its new bandsaw mill.

"Elmia Wood is a real business platform for us. We know we make direct sales here at the fair. It's unique to meet so many of our customers in one place", said Robert Berglund, CEO of Logosol.

Alstor

Traditionally, Alstor's focus has been on the self-employed forest owner who wants a small, efficient forestry machine. However, the customers are changing. "Our target group is here, and they're genuinely ready to buy. We've met customers from all over Sweden, and from new markets where demand is growing, said Kristian Laurell, CEO of Alstor.

"We still have our core customer group. With our 840 series, which came out a few years ago, we saw that arborists and other professional segments became interested. And now, with the 850 series, we are taking another step, appealing to professional crews that perform thinning. We are broadening our range without losing our focus on gentle, within-forest-stands machines", Laurell said.

The company also launched its first-ever roller-fed harvester head option, developed in collaboration with Finnish Kone-Ketonen Oy. Stroke harvester heads have up until now been the standard for Alstor's popular range of harvesters.

"We know that our stroke-head units deliver. But we are still often asked if there are no roller-fed units. Now we were ready to take that step. Keto's head has belt rollers that work incredibly well. The head is available for our new harvesters and our combi machine, said Laurell.

Timber haulage was not a feature at Elmia, however, Sweden's first renewable natural gas (RNG) powered timber truck was a highlight

The Romanian IRUM with its TAF 690 S5 winch-plate skidder. It is becoming a popular model in Central Europe and North America — Timber haulage was not a feature at Elmia, however, Sweden's first renewable natural gas (RNG) powered timber truck was a highlight

A vibrant meeting place

"There's been a wonderfully lively buzz throughout the area. Visitors and exhibitors together demonstrate that Elmia Wood is an important meeting place. You could feel the energy radiating from the industry", commented Anna-Karin Zinnerfors, CEO of Elmia.

I'm also struck by the mix of big and small players, Swedish and international, as well as experienced and new. Together, we created something memorable in the Bratteborg forest."

Elmia's project manager, Johannes Hansson, had similar reflections. "The best part of this year's fair was the atmosphere, engaged visitors, active exhibitors, machines in motion, and a strong international presence. It truly was a vibrant meeting place for the entire forestry sector.

"The redesigned trail across the fairground proved to be a real success. Relocating over 100 exhibitors, enhancing the visitor route, and introducing new stages all contributed to improved flow and a more accessible, engaging experience for our visitors", Johannes Hansson said.

The trails, featuring special interest areas such as the Drone Zone, along with convenient and well-placed shortcuts, allowed visitors to make multiple trips to their area of primary interest with energy to spare, thereby avoiding the ebb-and-flow surges between the field area and the forest circuit that previous editions suffered from.

All in all, this bodes well for the coming biennial editions of Elmia Wood in Bratteborg. Hopefully, some of the names and brands that were absent will return with a vengeance in 2027, rolling out new forest technology and innovations that may yet become an Elmia Classic.

All photos by Alan Sherrard

The Shire Eco Lodge and nursery focuses on sustainability

Rob Scott uses the Wood-Mizer to cut wood for his building and furniture projects and custom orders

Rob Scott, owner of Shire Eco Lodge near Stutterheim, says the curved shape of the chalets is unlike standard timber buildings and posed so many problems that it took over a year to complete the shell of the first lodge.

The design of the chalets takes its cue from nature. "I wanted the design of the chalets and their location on the margins of the indigenous Xholora forest to be a win-win for all", Rob explains.

Construction started in 2004, and the first chalet was up and running in 2008. The 20-acre Shire Eco Lodge and indigenous nursery is owned by entrepreneur Rob Scott and his family in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.

Recalling scenes of the film version of the fertile vales of the shire in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Shire Eco Lodge is home in the peaceful afro-montane forests of the Amatola mountain range. The rich trove of waterfalls, mountain streams, ancient yellowwood, stinkwood and lemonwood forests, surrounded by pockets of fynbos, leaves an indelible impression on visitors.

An inside view of a chalet built by Rob Scott

Rob Scott in his furniture factory — An inside view of a chalet built by Rob Scott

Lessons learnt

The curved A-frame timber chalets are uniquely designed and built. Rob recounts several obstacles they had to overcome because of inexperience. These included timber bending techniques, the value of bracing, bent timber breaking and bending glass windows.

"My father, Hamish, supplied the solution to the breaking problem. Laminating thin strips of wood together. This is a fascinating process and has, in fact, become an art. It worked well and is now used for other parts of the building's anatomy", explains Rob.

"Once all the laminated ribs are in place, the wall planks are fastened over them in layers, moving upwards as you go. Once the walls are complete, the roof ribs (about 50 laminated bow-shaped beams) are attached to them, giving the roof a curved shape and Asian-like appearance.

"It was then time to start the interior work, which also took time because all the walls, cupboards, etcetera had to be profiled in the curved shape of the walls. There was a new lesson every day. I became an electrician, plumber and painter in a few months."

Wood-Mizer

Rob's reliance on buying sawn timber from suppliers sparked the idea of getting a sawmill to produce sawn timber. It was further strengthened by the uncommon widths and thicknesses needed for the curved and bent components of the chalets.

He decided to invest in a Wood-Mizer LT15GO portable sawmill, which lets him move it to wherever it's needed to cut fallen hardwoods and invasive alien trees.

Some of the blocks, slabs and boards are sold as is. The bulk of the sawn wood goes to Rob's furniture workshop. It is supplemented with heavy, fine-grained spruce stringers sourced from Mercedes-Benz in nearby East London. He uses the wood to build custom furniture for his projects and discerning customers nationwide.

Shire Bulbs is an indigenous nursery selling bulbs, plants and trees across South Africa

Shire Bulbs nursery

A brief stint at a plant nursery during a gap year in the UK kindled Rob's passion for botany, laying the foundation for the start of Shire Bulbs in 2003.

The Shire Bulbs' initial successes quickly duplicated into further expansion, with the current bulb production site now comprising four shade houses and expansive open beds. It produces over 150 species of indigenous bulbs that are shipped to customers worldwide. The international acclaim is proof of Shire Bulbs' successes.

But it's about far more than the monetary value of bulbs for Rob. The business partners with Fruit and Trees for Africa, a Non-Profit Organisation that addresses food security, environmental sustainability, and greening.

"Many of the plants we grow are threatened, and so in addition to the conservation and protection of wild populations, we have prioritised the conservation of the rarer species through cultivation", he says.

Our guests get to experience this unique location to revitalise tired spirits. At the same time, The Shire and local communities benefit from tourists visiting and job opportunities created," Rob continues.

The unique chalets at the Shire Eco Lodge blend into the forms and shapes of their environment

The Shire Eco Lodge is in a peaceful valley near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape — The unique chalets at the Shire Eco Lodge blend into the forms and shapes of their environment

Organic farming

Organic farming is another arm of Rob's vision to harness business as a tool for greater sustainability, community upliftment, and self-reliance. His mother, Monica, is his partner in this part of the business, which produces organic fruits, vegetables, and crops that are sold and delivered free to nearby communities that need fresh produce.

Sawdust and chips from the furniture shops are also used as animal bedding for Rob and Monica's geese and duck flocks, allowed to roam free to rid the crops of pests. The rest of the waste is sold to nearby farmers, who use it to improve the health and well-being of their animals.

"We have an abundance that we like to share with the community to ensure that they also benefit from our bounty," Rob says, smiling.

Profit pointers for wattle growers

Open for business. Rob Thompson delivered the good news that NCT's Richards Bay mill are back up and running just over a year after the devastating fires that stopped their chipping and export operations.

A recent wattle field day organised by NCT Forestry provided an ideal opportunity for local tree farmers to pick up some pointers from the wattle “experts” who have been working with wattle for decades. The field day was hosted on Elands Farm near New Hanover in the KZN midlands, owned by Terry Wolhuter.

Chris Chapman reports that the key takeaways from the field day were:

NCT’s woodchip export operation at the port of Richards Bay is back up and running after the devastating fire destroyed the facility just over a year ago. The demand for wood chips is strong, and green and black wattle timber are among the preferred species by international customers.

The demand for wattle bark is strong, preferably fresh bark stripped from mature black wattle and delivered on the same day. UCL and NTE are starting to accept limited quantities of green wattle bark. Wattle farmers in the Eastern Cape have also been supplying dry stick bark to NTE, adding value to their crops. The wattle bark extracts are used to make tannins and adhesives for softening leather.

Black wattle: Advances in tree breeding have developed several black wattle clones showing promising results for improved form and growth, as well as wattle rust tolerance and frost tolerance. Although wattle clonal development is still relatively early, there are clones available that will give growers improved performance over seedlings if well managed and planted in the right sites.

Green wattle (A. decurrens) is a good option on some sites. It is more adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions, is more tolerant of critical pests, the bark strips in the winter months, and produces more useable timber than black wattle. Although it produces less bark than black wattle, the bark factories accept limited quantities. The ICFR is ramping up a green wattle tree improvement programme, and NCT is planting it to replace some eucalypts on their farms.

Growing wattle is not so simple. Get the basics right, like planting the right seedling or clone for the site, prepare good, uniform pits (25cm x 25cm), plant with water/gel in the rainy season, keep it weed-free for a year, do careful pruning and thinning – and you will reap the rewards.

Friedel Eggers of UCL urges foresters to plant the best black wattle clones on the right sites to reap the benefits of good bark and timber yield

Pruning: Friedel Eggers of UCL advises pruning before the trees reach two metres. Use a skilled team with sharp secateurs or bow saws (not axes). Remove competing double leaders and dominating side branches with clean cuts. Be careful not to tear the bark while pruning. Do not over-prune.

Blanking: Wattle grows fast. You must blank within three weeks of planting if the mortality of clones is above 10% or above 15% in the case of seedlings.

ROI: The rule of thumb among foresters is that wattle bark sales should cover the cost of the harvesting operation. In contrast, the timber sales deliver the profit.

The Forestry & Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria has a diagnostic clinic to help identify pests and diseases affecting wattle. This is a free service for members of the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP).