For those that want to learn about sustainable tree management, growing trees for fodder, food, fuel and materials, felling techniques, intro to chainsaw use and Lucas saw milling

About the Workshop
Trees have many benefits and essential functions in our eco-systems. They are a valuable resource needing thoughtful, respectful and appropriate management. When we inherit trees on our property or would like to plant them we need to know how to manage them responsibly and sustainably but many of us do not know how to do this correctly. This workshop will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to do this. Permaculture offers us principles, techniques and solutions for both sustainable farm forestry and natural forest management and enables us to see trees and forests from a broader perhaps entirely new perspective. The workshop will be theoretical and practical; entertaining and informative; and you will certainly benefit from spending two days  in the beautiful forests of Bandusia. Whether you have a natural forest you need to manage, want to set up farm forestry with high yielding productive species, or just want to learn more about trees and forests, then this workshop is appropriate for you.

About the trainer
Dave Spicer 

Dave grew up in the Snowy Mountains, as a boy he was harvesting Eucalyptus oil and working  alongside his father on their land, gaining a vast experience in tree felling and forestry  management from an early age.

Dave has a proven practicality, with over 15 years’ experience in permaculture design and education working and teaching with Bill Mollison at Permaculture Institute Tasmania, & Geoff Lawton; Managing Director at Permaculture Research Institute Australia – Zaytuna farm.  David also worked as farm manager of the renowned Tagari farm in northern NSW.

He has taught and designed both nationally and globally, working in 5 states of Australia, Morocco, Jordan and Palestine and in many different climate zones. He brings a unique combination of knowledge and experience with tree growing, management, harvesting, timber processing and utilization.

Workshop Program
Concepts

• Overview of forest functions, services & yields
• Forest types, rainfall gradients, fertility gradients and fire
• Food, fodder, fuel & fibre forests
• Review of permaculture ethics and principles with reference to forests
• Forestry systems
• Native fire forest, riparian non fire forests, pastoral woodlands, plantations, shelterbelts
• Reading landscape tour of Bandusia forest
• Forest products and yields

Application & Practice
The course will also involve practical demonstrations in the forests of Bandusia. It will include:  pruning, thinning and coppicing; slash processing and fuel hazard reduction; debarking, sawing and drying;  milling with the Lucas Mill and more.

There will be plenty of time for discussion and Q & A’s

Part LETS accepted. 10% discount for PSI members (if you have completed a PSI workshop in the last 12 months)