Silvicultural Systems, Biodiversity and Hardwood Plantations in East Gippsland: Lessons from Past Experience and Current Research

Please note this event has been postponed. New dates will be announced soon.

The Forestry Australia VIC Branch warmly invites members and friends to a field trip in the Orbost area of East Gippsland.

Date: TBC
Times and locations: Please see the schedule below.

This event will commence with an optional informal dinner at the Marlo Hotel on Friday evening.

We will visit the Tostaree Pilot Farm plantation trial on Gunaikurnai Country early Saturday morning. Hosted by Wally Notman (DEECA Trees on Farms), the visit will focus on species selection, establishment and tending. This timing allows participants who cannot arrive in Marlo on Friday evening to join the field trip directly at Tostaree.

We will then visit the Silvicultural Systems Project at Cabbage Tree Creek (established in 1989), a replicate of the trials visited at Tanjil Bren last year. This session will be hosted by Mark Lutze, former Silviculture Scientist with the Department.

On Sunday, we will visit research sites on Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust lands examining Greater Glider populations. This work uses LiDAR to relate hollow occurrence and abundance to tree size and density, as well as other imagery to predict foraging quality. This component will be hosted by Ben Wagner from the University of Melbourne.

We will also visit a durable hardwood family trial at Lake Tyers, including Red Ironbark and Yellow Stringybark.

This field trip provides an excellent opportunity to revisit important experimental sites, draw lessons for forest establishment and management, and connect with colleagues and friends at Marlo, at the mouth of the Snowy River.

We hope you can join us.

PROGRAM

Friday 12 June 2026
6:00 pm – Informal dinner at the Marlo Hotel
(Dinner & accommodation at own expense.)

Saturday 13 June 2026
8:30 am – Coffee in Marlo
9:30 am – Tostaree Plantation Trial

12:00 pm – Lunch (Murrengower Rest Stop on the way to Cabbage Tree Creek)
Sandwiches and fruit will be provided.

1:00 pm – Cabbage Tree Silvicultural Systems Project
3:00 pm – Thinning and variable retention harvesting
4:30 pm – Return to Marlo
5:30 pm – Drinks at the pub
7:00 pm – Dinner

Sunday 14 June 2026
7:30 am – Self-catered breakfast
8:15 am – Coffee in Marlo
9:30 am – Lake Tyers biodiversity research site
11:00 am – Ironbark seed orchard and durable hardwood plantation trial

12:30 pm – Lunch will be provided 

1:00 pm – Depart

Registrations (incl. GST)
Forestry Australia Members: $60 | Non-members: $90
Registrations will close:

  • Costs cover welcome to country, fees and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Please advise of any dietary requirements and carpooling details during registration.

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
Please book your own accommodation: