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Private native forestry
Queensland's native forests have a long tradition of timber production. There is increasing opportunity for private native forests to provide income to landholders while supplying a wood resource for the timber industry.
Private native forests in Queensland are extensive, covering more than 10 million hectares across the state but generally are relatively very low yielding. They play an important role in supplying the timber processing sector with more than 50% of the hardwood (a broad range of tree species) and less than 10% of the white cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla) (softwood) processed in Queensland. Most of this land is also grazed and generally managed as production systems that combine forestry and grazing in a mutually beneficial way (silvopastoral systems).
Selective harvesting practices are universally applied, however a history of crop tree harvesting without follow up silvicultural treatment has tended to leave the majority of these forests in a relatively low productivity state. Excessive regrowth has further caused many stands to cease growing and reduce understorey and grass cover, sometimes leading to increased erosion during Queensland's high intensity rainfall events.
Log timber includes hardwood and softwood sawlogs, hardwood poles, landscaping and fencing timbers, mining timber, girders, corbels, piles and sills.
