Bencubbin is located in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, approximately 270 kilometres north-east of Perth.
This 22-hectare planting site is part of a larger property owned by a local farming family. Since the 1900s, this region has been extensively cleared for agriculture, causing a range of environmental issues. By planting a diverse mix of native species, including native sandalwood, the aim of this project is to create a natural wind buffer to reduce erosion, improve soil quality, and restore biodiversity. After 25 years, the landholders can harvest the valuable sandalwood timber, creating a mutually beneficial restoration model for all involved.
Since 2018, we have planted more than 26,000 seedlings and 71 kg of seed across the project site, restoring vegetation to the region and increasing habitat for native wildlife.
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Project overview
Planting type: Biodiverse sandalwood
Region: Western Australian Wheatbelt
Planted: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
Size: 22 hectares
Seedling count: 26,000
Seed weight: 79 kg
Partner: Farmwoods and Sandalwood Solutions
ERF registered: Yes (Farm Forestry Methodology)
Legal permanence: 25 years
Latest news
monitoring
April 2023
The CPOZ team and Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) headed back out to the site for the 5th monitoring assessment. The results showed an average density of 654 live trees/hectare and an average height of 1.22 metres. The tallest tree measured was a 5 metre tall Acacia lasiocalyx.
INFILL Planting
July 2023
We returned to the site with Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) and a fantastic group of volunteers to identify and add more trees to any patchy areas. The team hand-planted an additional 20kg of sandalwood seed and more than 3,000 Acacia and Eucalyptus seedlings. We will return next Autumn to undertake the annual monitoring assessment and see how the site is progressing.
Infill
July 2022
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) and the CPOZ team planted an additional 6,000 Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’) seedlings across patchy areas of the site. A combination of machine and hand-planting was used with the aim of increasing the number of sandalwood host trees. Sandalwood seeds will be sown next to these trees next year.
MONITORING
May 2022
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions) and Jess (CPOZ) headed to site in early May to conduct a full monitoring assessment. Results indicated that average stocking density had declined slightly from the previous year, to 757 trees/hectare. High variability between sites was noticeable, mainly due to fauna predation. The tallest tree was an Acaica lasiocalyx (‘Silver shaggy wattle’) which measured an impressive 4.2 metres.
MONITORING & SANDALWOOD INFILL
July 2021
Monitoring results from July showed an average of 840 stems per hectare; a significant improvement from previous years. There was still a notable variation between the plots, with lower density around the perimeter as a result of predation from rabbits and kangaroos. An additional 7.5kg of Sandalwood seed was planted across the site and further infill of host species recommended for the following winter.
INFILL PLANTING
July 2020
An additional 4,326 Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’) seedlings were hand-planted across the site to increase stocking density. This species was chosen as it is the main host species for Sandalwood. In addition to the Acacia seedlings, a further 7.5kg of Sandalwood seed was hand-planted across the site using pottiputki planting devices.
MONITORING
November 2019
Results from the monitoring assessment indicated a significant difference in stocking density (trees/hectare) between the two planting compartments (more than 1,000 trees/hectare in the northern compartment and ~351 trees/hectare in the southern compartment). This difference may be attributed to pest damage as the southern compartment is directly adjacent to remnant bushland. Further infill was recommended to ensure the desired stocking density was met.
INFILL & SANDALWOOD PLANTING
August 2019
As recommended, an additional 2,464 seedlings were hand-planted to “bulk-up” patchy areas across the site. These were predominately the host species Acacia acuminata (‘Jam Wattle’) and Eucalytpus loxophleba (‘York Gum’). Approximately 30kg of Sandalwood seed (Santalum spicatum) was also planted across the site with seeds being hand-sown next to established host trees.
MONITORING
July 2019
A full assessment of the planting site was conducted a year after the initial planting. The team monitored 11 random quadrats across the site, collecting data on species diversity, germination, height and survival. Overall, the average survival rate was around 60%, however this varied significantly between quadrats (47% to 84%). Infill planting was recommended for the following winter in order to reach the desired stocking density across the project site.
MONITORING
January 2019
Initial monitoring was conducted during summer to assess survival. Results showed an overall survival rate of around 85%. This was deemed a positive result considering the drier than average conditions the area had experienced. The team noted some pest damage (likely kangaroos and rabbits) particularly around the perimeter of the site where they had nibbled seedlings. This was recorded and additional pest control was recommended for the area.
PLANTING
July 2018
Over a three day period, approximately 10,000 seedlings and 6kg of native seed mix was planted across the site. A direct seeding machine was used to plant both seed and seedlings, making fast work of the large area. In total, 25 different native species were planted. Acacias, which act as hosts for sandalwood, represented a large proportion of this mix. Other species planted on the site included several Eucalyptus, Casuarina and Hakea species.
SITE PREPARATION
May 2018
To prepare for planting, the site was scalped and ripped. This process removes weeds from the seed bank and loosens the soil so seedling roots can establish successfully. Pest control and weed management were undertaken to minimise competition. Fencing was established around the site to prevent sheep, kangaroos and rabbits from grazing on the new seedlings.
What we planted
Acacia
16 species sandalwood host short lifespan nitrogen fixing​
Allocasuarina
2 species nitrogen fixing​ hardwood tree frost-tolerant
Casuarina
1 species salt and drought tolerant attracts native birds nitrogen converter
Eucalyptus
4 species high survivability in nutrient-poor soils fast maturing tree utilised for canopy cover
Hakea
1 species hardy shrub endemic to Australia fire-adapted germination
Santalum
1 species hemiparasitic aromatic timber edible
Project gallery
Initial site photo prior to planting.
Fencing being established around the perimeter of the planting site.
Fenced and ripped ready for planting.
Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) treating the native seeds with smoke to aid the germination process.
Seed collection and treatment process.
Native seed being dried following the smoke treatment.
Seedlings ready for planting.
Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) in the planting trailer.
Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) and Peter Ritson (Farmwoods) in the process of planting.
A handful of native seed mix ready for planting.
Direct seeder being towed by a tractor in the process of planting.
Eucalyptus seedlings planted in the ripped line.
Sandalwood seed being placed into a pottiputki planting device.
Seedling trays of Acacia and Eucalyptus for planting.
Sandalwood seed ready for planting.
Initial survival of seedlings in Summer 2019.
A well established Eucalyptus seeding during Monitoring 2019.
Volunteer setting up a monitoring quadrat.
Ros (Sandalwood Solutions), Peter (Farmwoods) and Alice (CPOZ) admiring a thriving plant.
Planting rows showing good establishment and growth during monitoring in July 2021.
Peter (Farmwoods) checking the growth of a tree during monitoring.
Drone photo of established planting rows across the Bencubbin site.
Established Eucalyptus tree.
Hakea francisiana (‘Emu tree’) near the Bencubbin planting site.
Echidna enjoying the winter sun during monitoring at Bencubbin.
Dr Peter Ritson (Farmwoods) and Jess (CPOZ) recording data during monitoring.
Close up of a healthy Acacia spotted during monitoring.