Each tree costs the farmer $350 | Victorian Farmers Federation

Australian Tree Assoc · 11th December 2011, 04:45 PM

Trees affect many in different ways and the Victorian Farmers Federation has a very good point to make. Their thinking is consistent with ours ... Balanced, holistic and integrated tree management. They have calculated that a paddock tree costs a farmer $350 each (details below).

Whilst a cost/benefit analysis would say that the tree would provide more than $350 of benefit making it preferable to retain some other key points about under-story plantings, new trees (juveniles) and exposure are valid.

The difficulty lies in quantifying to a $ value the benefits for each tree, however a formula could be developed to calculate the number of new replacement plantings. The advantages would be to strategically replant with better environmental considerations that does not interfere with the farming operations.

In the urban yard trees also have a cost and the regimented retention of TPO - VPO trees inhibits development, home expansion etc. The Victorian Farmers Federation's case needs to be closely watched because they may have the clout to bring about change, a change that can be mirrored in urban arboriculture.

Victorian Farmers Federation :: Media Releases

Quote:

Native vegetation rules cost farmers and the environment
Friday, 9th December 2011

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) will ask the State Government for a more balanced approach to native vegetation rules to enable increased land productivity for Victorian farmers.

Currently, farmers are often unable to remove stand-alone native trees in paddocks, even if they offer to replace them with vegetation in alternative locations on their property.

Gerald Leach, VFF Land Management Committee Chair, said the current native vegetation rules only consider environmental impacts, with little or no consideration of economic costs.

“Modelling by the VFF puts the costs of isolated paddock trees in a cropping operation at around $350/year. This includes up to $200 per tree per year in productivity losses alone. The other costs are attributed to additional resources used for spraying and seeding, damage to farm machinery from collisions with trees and debris, and cleaning up fallen trees and limbs.”

Mr Leach said that the environmental benefits associated with retaining some types of vegetation aren’t realistic and in some cases, are counter-productive.

“The rules assume paddock trees are irreplaceable. Yet these trees support no understory, are vulnerable to natural impacts like extreme weather, and are a less attractive habitat for wildlife due to their isolation and exposure.

“The crazy thing about this is there is so much emphasis on retaining old, dying trees, but when they fall over there will be no new recruits to replace them. In the long term, this short-sighted policy will see a net-loss in native vegetation rather than the net-gain desired by the Government.

“Instead, farmers could replace paddock trees with clumps of native vegetation and corridors in more convenient locations. Denser patches and corridors of native vegetation are more resilient than paddock trees and provide much greater habitat values, particularly for migratory species.

“The problems with isolated paddock trees are not limited to cropping operations. The same trees can be a huge barrier to centre-pivot irrigation, and increased productivity in irrigation districts.

“The State Government must implement changes that ensure realistic benefits are attributed to the retention of native vegetation on private land. These benefits must be balanced by the economic costs associated with their retention. Where the environmental cost of removing vegetation is unacceptable, incentives should be provided to engage landholders in managing and improving this vegetation,” Mr Leach concluded.

How much does a tree cost?

Quote:

How much does a tree cost?

By Libby Price

Friday, 09/12/2011

And in case you thought there was nothing left to calculate...

Farmers in Victoria have been told stand-alone in paddocks are costing them around $350 per tree, per year.

Currently, State Government laws restrict the removal of native trees, even if other trees are planted elsewhere as a replacement.

The Victorian Farmers Federation has calculated that a single tree in a paddock costs $200 in lost crop production. Another $150 is lost from additional spraying and seeding costs, and damage to farm machinery from collisions, plus the cost of cleaning up fallen trees and limbs.

The trees are also a barrier to centre-pivot irrigation.

The VFF wants the laws changed so farmers can replace paddock trees with clumps of native vegetation and tree corridors.

colinjely · 18th December 2011, 02:53 AM

An interesting post. I am only an 'armchair farmer', so i can only post from that viewpoint. An interesting book is 'An Untrained Environmentalist' by John Fenton.
John owned a sheep property in Western Victoria and planted 100,000 trees in 50 years. Of course, he planted the type of trees he wanted, where he wanted, for the purpose he wanted and was free to remove any he wanted, when he wanted! I have heard recently of two cases, one of a 67yo pensioner in WA who was gaoled for clearing firebreaks on his property and another case in Qld where a person has been hit with a six figure fine for clearing invasive weeds on his property.
I think what we need is a bit of common sense in this matter.

George Valentine · 18th December 2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colinjely

An interesting post. I am only an 'armchair farmer', so i can only post from that viewpoint. An interesting book is 'An Untrained Environmentalist' by John Fenton.
John owned a sheep property in Western Victoria and planted 100,000 trees in 50 years. Of course, he planted the type of trees he wanted, where he wanted, for the purpose he wanted and was free to remove any he wanted, when he wanted! I have heard recently of two cases, one of a 67yo pensioner in WA who was gaoled for clearing firebreaks on his property and another case in Qld where a person has been hit with a six figure fine for clearing invasive weeds on his property.
I think what we need is a bit of common sense in this matter.

And I couldn't agree more...!

Cheers
George

18th December 2011, 02:53 AM	#2
colinjely Sappling Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Blackburn Posts: 11	Re: Each tree costs the farmer $350 \| Victorian Farmers Federation An interesting post. I am only an 'armchair farmer', so i can only post from that viewpoint. An interesting book is 'An Untrained Environmentalist' by John Fenton. John owned a sheep property in Western Victoria and planted 100,000 trees in 50 years. Of course, he planted the type of trees he wanted, where he wanted, for the purpose he wanted and was free to remove any he wanted, when he wanted! I have heard recently of two cases, one of a 67yo pensioner in WA who was gaoled for clearing firebreaks on his property and another case in Qld where a person has been hit with a six figure fine for clearing invasive weeds on his property. I think what we need is a bit of common sense in this matter.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY cut costs home-owner $19K RANDWICK	Eric Frei	ANNOUNCEMENTS	3	3rd February 2011 09:05 PM
Stihl bar oil costs $17US/gal - can I use motor oil?	R.Boreal	Chainsaws	16	13th December 2010 12:04 PM
ms200t repair costs	luey	Chainsaws	15	3rd March 2010 06:55 AM
2009 Victorian Tree Climbing Championship	TrevMcRev	ANNOUNCEMENTS	17	10th November 2009 06:48 AM
GM Genocide\| Thousands of farmers suiciding	Eric Frei	Non Tree Related chat	8	9th November 2008 07:43 AM