A study of establishment techniques for Pinus radiata in the Heywood District.  F.G. Craig, L.J. Bren and P. Hopmans.  January 1973.  15 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

1. Deep ripping to 36 inches was found to be the most successful site preparation procedure for the establishment of Pinus radiata on the soil type Gorae gravelly loam in the Heywood district. This soil covers 30,000 of the 40,000 acres available for planting.
2. Ploughing was generally unacceptable as a site preparation procedure on shallow or browner phases of Gorae gravelly loam, or on wet sites, as it led to high mortalities. If practiced on dry soils, and if followed by ripping, ploughing may be acceptable for the control of weed competition.
3. Some of the experimental sites within the soil type Gorae gravelly loam were not phosphate deficient. However, where phosphate nutrition was poor, 10 oz. of 1:1 lime:superphosphate per tree gave good early height-growth responses, especially when combined with ploughing or ripping.
4. Further work is necessary to develop a soil test which will distinguish between nutritionally good and poor sites, and allow economy in the application of fertiliser. Studies of the longevity of response to fertiliser are also needed, and the ultimate productivity of radiata on this soil type must eventually be established.

Also published:

Craig, F.G., Bren, L.J. and Hopmans, P. (1977)  A study of establishment techniques for Pinus radiata in the Heywood District.  For. Comm. Vic., For. Tech. Pap. 26: 44-51.