Manjimup nursery grows millions of pine seedlings for future South West homes

A Manjimup nursery is well on its way to propagating 5 million pine seedlings to be delivered to plantations across the South West to supply timber to the WA construction industry. Over the past two months, the Manjimup team have loaded 27 semi-trailers with about 3.25m seedlings to be dispatched to 25 Forest Products Commission plantations across the South West. FPC director of operations John Tredinnick said most of the seedlings were delivered to new plantations being established as part of the State’s Softwood Plantation Investment Program. “The new plantations are part of a $350m investment to ensure a stable supply of timber for the WA construction industry and increase carbon sequestration opportunities as part of the State’s response to climate change,” he said. He said the new investment and increasing planting targets had required the nursery to scale up the production of seedlings. “This year FPC has prepared sites to establish over 3000ha of new plantations — as well as the replanting of existing plantations following harvesting,” Mr Tredinnick said. The FPC manages about 70,000ha of softwood plantations in the South West on behalf of the State Government. The properties are located from Myalup in the north to Boyup Brook in the east and Lake Muir in the south. The plantation estate supports a particle board plant, sawmill and laminated veneer lumber plant. FPC’s West Manjimup Nursery and Seed Centre on Burnside Road produces seedlings for the plantation estate establishment and refill program. Nursery and seed co-ordinator Kristine Mayer said seed selection and propagation began around November, and during peak work periods, casual workers bolstered the permanent nursery workforce to undertake sowing and packing activities. Ms Mayer said the Manjimup Nursery team had been a “crucial” part of ensuring the required seedlings were ready and available during the “narrow planting season”. “With late rains and reliance on weather conditions for optimal planting, the window for planting this year is tight, requiring maximum efficiency and speed at every stage to ensure the seedlings are in the ground before the weather conditions impact seedling survival rates,” she said. Ms Mayer said the team rallied together with hard work and expertise to ensure this year’s targets would be met. “It’s great to be involved with getting all these pine seedlings packed and out to new plantations, especially as I know they are so important for growing timber for new homes,” she said. “They are so small now, but it’s exciting to think what they will grow into one day in the future.” Mr Tredinnick agreed, and told the Times the seedlings would be part of the next generation, and would be valued into the future. “The planting season will end in coming weeks, and the FPC’s crews are on track to complete the targeted volume of 5m seedlings going into the ground,” he said. “Thanks to the efforts of nursery staff, as well as other FPC teams and supporting contractors, these seedlings will grow to be the homes of the next generation and capture carbon to assist in climate change action.”