Jamax Forest Solutions

28/07/2026

Regarding the second part of this article on land clearing in NSW, SLATS only reports on clearing, it doesn’t report on the amount of post-1990 regrowth retained. ABARES’ State of the Forests report uses multiple sources including SLATS to track forest cover. The latest Australia's State of the Forests report (2023) shows Australia’s forest area was 134 million hectares, increasing by 750 thousand hectares over the previous 5 years. So, rather than being a deforestation hotspot, Australia is one of the world’s leading reforestation hotspots!!!

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/forestsaustralia/sofr

Farmers are legally allowed to reclear areas that were legally cleared as at 1990, including any native vegetation that has regrown (regrowth) since then, without the need for any further approval. In NSW, these areas are indicatively shown on the Draft Native Vegetation Regulatory map.

https://www.lmbc.nsw.gov.au/Maps/index.html?viewer=DraftNVRmap

The Native Vegetation Regulatory map will come into force on 31 August and will show how native vegetation rules apply to properties.

28/07/2026

"Sinkholes are not simply safe havens," says Kang Ming, a SCBG researcher and corresponding author of the study. "They provide a buffered microenvironment that helps endangered plants persist, but their enclosed geography can also isolate populations and gradually wear away the genetic variation needed for future adaptation."

Large sinkholes in nature have traditionally been viewed as a win for biodiversity, protecting plants that would be exposed to environmental stress above ground. However, a new genetic study indicates they are an evolutionary death trap.

28/07/2026

The world's new tallest hybrid timber skyscraper has officially topped out. Named Atlassian Central, the "plyscraper" soars to an incredible height of 180 m (591 ft), not just surpassing but smashing all previous records.

The world's new tallest hybrid timber skyscraper has officially topped out. Named Atlassian Central, the "plyscraper" soars to an incredible height of 180 m (591 ft), not just surpassing but smashing all previous records.

27/07/2026

What a great initiative!!

Mid North Coast residents of New South Wales are being invited to collect free firewood and learn valuable chainsaw safety skills at a two-day event in Kiwarrak State Forest near Old Bar.

https://www.timberbiz.com.au/community-firewood-and-chainsaw-safety-days-in-nsw/

Visit NSW State Forests

25/07/2026

24/07/2026

Can selective logging help the Congo Basin store more carbon?

A recent study created a machine-learning program that estimated the amount of carbon dioxide already stored, and sequestered annually, by rainforests in Central Africa’s Congo Basin, the planet’s largest forested carbon sink.

They found that managed logging concessions, which remove a small number of large trees annually and strictly control other human activities, made up more than half of the net carbon removed by Congo Basin rainforests.

The authors say these results suggest that expanding logging concessions could help the Congo Basin sequester more carbon while also providing locals with a source of income.

Other experts, however, argue that addressing local conflicts that lead to illegal forest clearing would be a better way to benefit these forests.

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/07/can-selective-logging-help-the-congo-basin-store-more-carbon/

Image: The Congo Basin is home to critically endangered African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis). Image by Matt Muir via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).

24/07/2026

Funding is available for businesses to help establish new or expanded commercial scale facilities in NSW that manufacture low carbon building materials, chemicals, biofuels, power fuels, or inputs for agricultural production.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/low-carbon-product-manufacturing-grant

24/07/2026

Forest Scientists Share Top Tips for National Tree Day

This Sunday morning, in parks, paddocks and backyards across the country, thousands of Australians will kneel in the winter soil and plant a tree. Planet Ark's National Tree Day turns 30 this year, and Australians have planted almost 28 million trees through the event since 1996. Schools get their turn a little earlier, with Schools Tree Day from Friday 24 July 2026.

The scientists, professionals and growers who manage Australia's forests would like those trees to remain standing for generations to come, and that is why Forestry Australia has released its top tips for planting a tree that thrives.

For a seedling to grow into a healthy, mature tree, it requires care and attention over the months and years that follow. Careful preparation, selecting the right tree for the right place and consistent follow-up management are just as important as the enthusiasm of planting day.

According to Forestry Australia Director and farm forester Leon Holt, planting a tree is something anyone can do to make a positive and enduring difference for their community and environment.

Our handy tips for tree planting ahead of National Tree Day will help to make sure your efforts continue to have an impact for many years to come," Mr Holt said.

Here are the top tips to prepare for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day

Get to know your area. Before choosing a tree, take time to understand the conditions. Consider annual rainfall, seasonal temperatures, exposure to frost, heat or drought, and the kind of soil you are working with.

Check before you plant. Make sure you have permission to plant, especially on public, rented or shared land. Keep well clear of buildings, boundaries, powerlines, roads and underground services.

Choose the right species. The right tree in the right place has the best chance of thriving. Select a species suited to your local climate, soil, available space and intended purpose, whether that is shade, habitat, shelter, food production or visual appeal. Your local nursery can offer valuable advice.

Decide between seedlings and advanced trees. Small seedlings are often easier to establish and can adapt quickly to their new environment. Larger, more advanced trees provide immediate impact but generally require more careful planting, watering and maintenance.

Pick the right spot. Look closely at the conditions within your planting site. Sunlight, shade, wind, moisture and competition from nearby vegetation can vary considerably across a small area. Avoid planting too close to established trees, where your seedling will compete for water, nutrients and light.

Prepare the site. Preparation makes a significant difference to survival and growth. Loosen compacted soil so air and water can move through the profile, remove competing w**ds and consider whether protection from grazing animals, wildlife or other pests will be needed.

Plant with care. Follow the planting and care instructions from your local nursery or tree supplier. Handle roots gently, plant at the correct depth, firm the soil carefully and avoid burying the trunk. Most importantly, enjoy the experience and involve family, friends or your local community.

Water and protect. Newly planted trees need reliable moisture while their roots establish. Water deeply during dry periods and use mulch to suppress w**ds and slow evaporation, keeping it clear of the trunk. A tree guard can also protect against animals, wind and accidental damage.

Keep caring for it. Planting day is only the beginning. Regular watering, w**d control, inspection and protection during the first few years can greatly improve a tree's chance of reaching maturity, and a little attention early on can deliver joy and benefits for decades.

A tree planted this weekend will still need care next summer, and for many summers to come. The trees that thrive are generally those that someone continues to watch, protect and nurture.

The same is true of Australia's forests, which need ongoing, active and adaptive management to stay healthy and resilient. That is the everyday work of Forestry Australia's members, who draw on science, practical experience and local knowledge to care for our forests now and into the future.

24/07/2026

Opinion: WMPA – Wood is a practical, proven alternative to concrete and cement

The New Zealand Government’s recent “Domestic Cement Production Secured” media announcement highlighted their view on the strategic importance of maintaining New Zealand’s domestic cement manufacturing capability.

In explaining its decision to support Golden Bay Cement, the Government stated within the release that “Cement has no practical substitutes” and is needed for the construction of homes, hospitals, schools, roads, and other nationally significant infrastructure. Govt Press Release – Domestic Cement Production Secured

While cement undoubtedly remains an important construction material, the assertion that it has no practical substitutes does not reflect the growing role of mass timber, lumber, and engineered wood products in modern construction.

Across New Zealand and internationally, mass timber technologies such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam), and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are increasingly being used as viable alternatives to concrete and steel in a wide range of building types.

Homes, schools, healthcare facilities, offices, and multi-storey commercial buildings are already being successfully delivered in New Zealand using locally manufactured timber-based structural systems.

Importantly, the very building categories cited in the Government’s announcement – homes, hospitals, and schools are among those where timber solutions are proving particularly effective within New Zealand.

Timber construction offers faster build times, reduced embodied carbon, lower building weight, and strong seismic performance, while also supporting domestic wood manufacturing, the economy and regional employment.

Roads, foundations, and many infrastructure projects will continue to require concrete and cement. However, it is equally important for this Government to recognise that for many building projects, timber and wood products are already a proven and practical substitute. The continued growth of mass timber demonstrates that innovation is expanding the range of options available to designers, builders, and building owners and that, in many cases, there are practical alternatives to cement already in use today.

Our message to the Government is simple. When it comes to building homes, hospitals, schools, and multi-storey buildings, there is a practical, proven, and readily available alternative to construction materials such as concrete and cement.

That alternative is New Zealand grown, harvested, and manufactured wood products. Supporting wood in construction is not about picking winners. It is about making the most of one of our country’s most important renewable resources, supporting our regions, and retaining hundreds of millions of dollars in additional economic value within New Zealand.

WMPA – Wood Manufacturers and Processors Association New Zealand

23/07/2026

The business holds contracts with the NSW and Queensland forestry corporations, which use the silvicultural practice of thinning to remove specific trees from overcrowded areas.

Mr Chauncy admits his business would be impacted significantly if NSW were to join Victoria and Western Australia, which banned native forest logging two years ago.

When bushfire and drought robbed farmer Peter Chauncy of his livelihood, he started chopping wood to sell. Forty years later, he runs one of Australia's largest firewood businesses.