NEW AUSTRALIAN TREE STOCK STANDARD

After discovering the currently-adopted quality standard for Tree Stock for Landscape Use does not accurately reflect the size index parameters of landscape trees in Australian nurseries, a new standard has been developed.

Researchers at Western Sydney University will unveil the new National Tree Stock Standard, developed to assess the quality of Australian trees, at a series of capital city workshops in March 2019.

Aimed at production nurseries and tree stock purchasers, the workshop will focus on the updated guidelines for the commonly used standard AS2303:2018 Tree Stock for Landscape Use.

The revised standard follows two years of research funded by Hort Innovation using the nursery industry levy and funds from the Australian Government.

Led by Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, the project involved measuring more than 14,000 trees across 23 production nurseries and rigorous data analysis.

The standard provides guidelines to grow quality trees and is used by tree stock purchasers, such as local councils and landscapers, as a decision-making tool to determine if a landscape tree is ‘fit for purpose’.

After extensive consultation, Western Sydney University Professor Mark Tjoelker said the new standard was broader and more applicable to Australian nursery production.

“We are excited to deliver an updated standard to industry. It is a prime example of how levy funded research can result in real, practical outcomes for the benefit of an entire sector,” said Prof Tjoelker.

“Our research found the former standard was too narrow, meaning that landscape trees were being potentially rejected as a result of the standard when, in fact, they were of acceptable quality.

“The updated standard takes into account the nation’s diverse climatic and growing regions. It also reassures buyers that trees are grown to a high standard and can be successfully planted into the landscape once they leave the production nursery.”

Building on the first event held at Three Days of Trees in Melbourne last year, the workshops will take place at leading production nurseries in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Darwin.

Prof Tjoelker encourages participants affected by the revised standard, such as growers, local councils, developers, landscape architects and designers, to register their attendance.

“The workshops will provide an overview of our findings and the process which led to the revised standard, as well as a practical demonstration on site.

“The workshops are free to attend, but tickets are limited, so we encourage people to register their interest early.”

To purchase standard AS2303:2018, click HERE

For more information about the project and find a workshop in your capital city VISIT http://bit.ly/TreeStocks