Ballardong Noongar Country

Brookton Sandalwood, WA

This 33-hectare project is located on a working farm in WA’s Wheatbelt region; an area that has been extensively cleared for agriculture, leaving much of the soil fragile and prone to wind and water erosion.

We are working with Dr Peter Ritson (FarmWoods), Ros MacFarlane (Sandalwood Solutions) and the Wheatbelt NRM Noongar Boodja Rangers to restore health to less productive areas of the farm. We are using a species mix that has been designed to replicate the region’s natural Acacia and sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) woodlands. Once the sandalwood trees reach maturity (around 25 years), the landholders can harvest the valuable nuts and timber. The rest of the planting will remain, and help to reduce the impact of wind erosion, restore soil health, and encourage the return of biodiversity to the area.   

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HA
PLANTED
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Seedlings Planted
Species
Planted

Project overview

  • Planting type: Biodiverse Sandalwood
  • Region: Wheatbelt, WA
  • Planted: 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022
  • Size: 33 hectares
  • Seedling count: 29,357
  • Seed weight: 150 kg
  • Partner: FarmWoods, Sandalwood Solutions, Noongar Boodja Rangers (Wheatbelt NRM)
  • ERF registered: Yes (Farm Forestry Methodology)
  • Legal permanence: 30 years

Latest news

Monitoring

November 2023

Jess and Liv (CPOZ) returned to the site to conduct a fourth-year monitoring assessment. The results showed a 2% increase in the average stocking density (all species) from last year and a 37% increase in average height to 1.84m. The average stocking density of Santalum spicatum (sandalwood) has increased by 21%, with an average height of 1.13m. The tallest tree measured across all plots was a 6.5m Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’).

Two women crouching down filling buckets with native seedlings

Infill Planting

July 2022

The team hand-planted an additional 1,500 seedlings across the planting site. Several hundred Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’) seedlings were added to increase the density of angiosperms (flowering trees) to attract and provide food for native fauna. We will return to the site next year for the annual monitoring assessment.

Woman standing next to an Acacia meisneri

monitoring & infill

April 2022

The team were again joined by Dr Peter Ritson to monitor progress of the planting site. The site was visibly thriving, with several Banksia trees even bearing flowers! The average density (trees pre hectare) had increased by 12% from the previous year, and the average height had increased by 40%. The tallest tree measured was an Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy Wattle’) standing at 4.4 metres.

Women smiling next to an Acacia acuminata plant holding a measuring stick with a man behind the plant looking down at a phone in his hand

monitoring & infill

April 2021

Led by Dr Peter Ritson (FarmWoods) the team monitored fifteen plots across the planting area, noting species, health, height, and stem diameter. Results showed an average stocking density of 727 trees per hectare – a significant improvement from the previous year. While plots were being assessed, an additional 35kg of sandalwood seed was planted by the Noongar Boodja Ranges to infill areas with low germination.

close up of Acacia acuminata seedlings in trays

infill planting

July 2020

An additional 3,726 Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’) seedlings were planted across the site to replace seedlings that had not survived and to bulk-up any patchy areas. The seedlings were hand-planted by the Noongar Boodja Rangers from Wheatbelt NRM.

Man using a hand-held planting device called a pottiputki to plant sandalwood nuts.

Monitoring & Sandalwood seeding

May 2020

Results from a comprehensive monitoring assessment conducted by Dr Peter Ritson showed an average of 529 trees per hectare across the site and average seedling survival of 67%, however this varied between plots due to competition from weeds. Concurrent to the monitoring, the Noongar Boodja Rangers planted around 90kg of sandalwood seed across the site using hand-held pottiputki devices.

Ripped planting rows ready for planting.

survival counts

November 2019

Around four months after planting, initial survival monitoring was conducted to determine how the plants were faring. The results showed an average survival rate of 90%, however many seedlings were displaying early signs of drought stress. Given the hot summer that was predicted to come, infill planting was recommended for the following winter to ensure the desired stocking density was met.

Two men smiling whilst walking with seedlings bucket and placing seedlings in a pottiputki

planting

July 2019

In July, a biodiverse seed mix was sown across the site. This mix contained nine different species including several Acacias, Allocasuarinas, Banksias, and Hakeas. In addition to the seed mix, the Noongar Boodja Rangers also planted more then 24,000 Acacia acuminata (‘Jame wattle’) seedlings using hand-held pottiputki devices.

Cleared area of land with sandy yellow soil

site assessment

December 2018

To determine whether the site was suitable for planting, an initial assessment was undertaken by Dr Geoff Woodall. Three main areas were recommended for planting. Soils in these areas were identified typically as duplex pale sand over clay, with ironstone gravel in the clay layer. These soils tend to be relatively unproductive for agricultural crops but often yield very positive restoration outcomes.

What we planted

Acacia

4 species
sandalwood host
short lifespan
nitrogen fixing​

Allocasuarina

2 species
nitrogen fixing​
hardwood tree
frost-tolerant

Banksia

2 species
fire tolerant
cylindrical flower spike
sweet nectar

Hakea

3 species
hardy
drought tolerant
ornamental flowers

Santalum

1 species
hemiparasitic
aromatic timber
medicinal properties

Project gallery

Cleared area of land with sandy yellow soil
Initial site prior to planting.
Cleared area of flat land with sandy yellow soil and silver car
Initial site prior to planting.
Close up of seedlings in seedling tray
Acacia and Eucalyptus seedlings ready to be planted.
Two men smiling whilst walking with seedlings bucket and placing seedlings in a pottiputki
Thomas and Mainey (Noongar Boodja Rangers) planting Acacia seedlings.
Three men standing and posing for a photo with seedling buckets and planting equipment
Mainey, Tarkyn and Thomas from the Noongar Boodja Rangers on planting day.
Pottiputki planting equipment
Pottiputki planting tools used for planting.
Group photo with planting equipment
The Noongar Boodja Ranger team.
Ripped planting rows ready for planting.
Survival counts during November 2019.
Acacia shrub growing in planting row
Healthy Acacia shrub during Autumn monitoring 2020.
Plants growing in planting row in sandy soil
Monitoring in Autumn 2020.
A bucket of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seeds de-husked and ready to be sown.
A bucket of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seeds de-husked and ready to be sown.
Man smiling with seedling bucket
Mainey from the Noongar Boodja Rangers with a handful of sandalwood seeds.
Group photo with planting equipment
Bomber, Tarkyn, Joyce, Mainey, Tommy and Darryl having a tea break during planting.
Man smiling whilst planting a seedling into a planting row with a pottiputki
Bomber using a pottputki planting device to plant sandalwood seeds.
Man standing next to ute tray placing seedlings in seedling bucket
Tarkyn Narrier collecting sandalwood seeds from the back of the ute.
Group photo of planting team next to a ute.
Jess (CPOZ), Mainey, Mark, Bomber, Joyce, Darryl and Peter (FarmWoods) during monitoring and sandalwood infill 2021.
Trees growing in planting row
The planting site showing good progress two years on from planting.
Women smiling next to an Acacia acuminata plant holding a measuring stick with a man behind the plant looking down at a phone in his hand
Jess and Dr Peter Ritson measuring the height of an Acacia acuminata.
Close up of an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle')
A healthy Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
Aerial view of some of the planting rows.
Aerial view of some of the planting rows.
Juvenile Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia')
Juvenile Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’) germinated from seed planted in 2019.
Measuring the stem diameter of a juvenile Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle').
Measuring the stem diameter of a juvenile Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’).
Man standing next to and look up at an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle').
Dr Peter Ritson standing next to a tall Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
Beautiful flowering Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia').
Beautiful flowering Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’).
Acacia meisneri ('Blue wattle') beginning to flower.
Acacia meisneri (‘Blue wattle’) beginning to flower.
Planting rows of Acacia species and Santalum spicatum ('Sandalwood').
Planting rows of Acacia species and Santalum spicatum (‘Sandalwood’).
Man giving instructions to planting team with planting equipment
Dr Peter Ritson and the Noongar Boodja Rangers preparing to plant sandalwood seeds.
Two bags of Sandalwood seeds for planting.
Sandalwood seeds for planting.
People planting seedlings in planting rows
Noongar Boodja Rangers planting sandalwood seeds next to Jam wattle hosts.
close up of curled sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) leaves.
Curled sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) leaves.
Woman smiling and standing next to a large Hakea multilineata ('Grass-leaved hakea').
Ebony (CPOZ) standing next to a large Hakea multilineata (‘Grass-leaved hakea’).
Thriving Hakea prostrata ('Harsh hakea').
Thriving Hakea prostrata (‘Harsh hakea’).
Measuring the width of an Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle') stem with a DBH measurer.
Measuring the width of an Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’) stem.
Girl smiling next to a flowering Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia').
Jess (CPOZ) with a flowering Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’).
Drone image of planting rows
One of the sandalwood planting areas.
Woman smiling and standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle').
Ches (CPOZ) next to a very tall Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’).
Juvenile sandalwood next to an established Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle') host.
Juvenile sandalwood next to an established Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’) host.
hand holding a Jam wattle gum
Jam wattle gum, traditionally used by Noongar people as a lolly and to treat ailments.
Two people standing with planting equipment
Jess (CPOZ) and Bomber (Noongar Boodja Rangers) deciding which areas to infill.
two women organising seedlings into seedlings buckets
Catherine (CPOZ) and Ebony (CPOZ) collecting Banksia and Acacia seedlings for planting.
Woman standing with back to camera facing ute tray to fill seedlings buckets
Jess (CPOZ) collecting seedlings next to the sandalwood infill area.
Man standing with planting equipment and full seedling bucket
Lance (Noongar Boodja Rangers) with a bucket full of Banksia seedlings.
Woman walking along planting seedlings with planting equipment and full seedling bucket
Ebony (CPOZ) using the pottiputki to plant seedlings.
Group photo of planting team standing and sitting on the ground with planting equipment
The planting team.
Established Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle') growing in planting rows
Impressive Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
Two women standing next to an impressive Hakea multilineata ('Grass leaved hakea').
Louise (CPOZ) and Pollyanna (CPOZ) standing next to an impressive Hakea multilineata (‘Grass leaved hakea’).
Established trees growing in planting rows
Great growth and plant establishment in the planting rows.
close up of aHakea multilineata ('grass-leaved hakea') in bloom.
Hakea multilineata (‘grass-leaved hakea’) in bloom.
Fruiting sandalwood (Santalum spicatum).
Fruiting sandalwood (Santalum spicatum).
Woman standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle')
Louise (CPOZ) standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’).
Close up of sandalwod (Santalum spicatum) tree with fallen sandalwood nuts on the ground
Fallen sandalwood nuts.
Women with fly net and measuring stick standing next to an Allocasuraina huegeliana ('rock sheoak').
Liv (CPOZ) next to a very tall Allocasuraina huegeliana (‘rock sheoak’).
Drone image of planting area with cropping paddock in background
Aerial view of part of the planting area.
Large established trees growing in planting rows
Part of the planting area showing great growth and establishment.
Women staning next to an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle')
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to an impressively tall Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
close up of a flowering Acacia meisneri
Flowering Acacia meisneri (‘Blue wattle’).
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) growing next to an Jam wattle (Acacia acuminata)
Little sandalwood tree growing next to it’s host species, an Acacia acuminata.
Very healthy Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle') covered in seed pods.
Very healthy Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’) covered in seed pods.
Drone image of planting area.
Aerial view of the planting area during 2023 monitoring.
Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle')
An Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’) standing tall and proud.
Cleared area of land with sandy yellow soil
Initial site prior to planting.
Cleared area of flat land with sandy yellow soil and silver car
Initial site prior to planting.
Close up of seedlings in seedling tray
Acacia and Eucalyptus seedlings ready to be planted.
Two men smiling whilst walking with seedlings bucket and placing seedlings in a pottiputki
Thomas and Mainey (Noongar Boodja Rangers) planting Acacia seedlings.
Three men standing and posing for a photo with seedling buckets and planting equipment
Mainey, Tarkyn and Thomas from the Noongar Boodja Rangers on planting day.
Pottiputki planting equipment
Pottiputki planting tools used for planting.
Group photo with planting equipment
The Noongar Boodja Ranger team.
Ripped planting rows ready for planting.
Survival counts during November 2019.
Acacia shrub growing in planting row
Healthy Acacia shrub during Autumn monitoring 2020.
Plants growing in planting row in sandy soil
Monitoring in Autumn 2020.
A bucket of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seeds de-husked and ready to be sown.
A bucket of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seeds de-husked and ready to be sown.
Man smiling with seedling bucket
Mainey from the Noongar Boodja Rangers with a handful of sandalwood seeds.
Group photo with planting equipment
Bomber, Tarkyn, Joyce, Mainey, Tommy and Darryl having a tea break during planting.
Man smiling whilst planting a seedling into a planting row with a pottiputki
Bomber using a pottputki planting device to plant sandalwood seeds.
Man standing next to ute tray placing seedlings in seedling bucket
Tarkyn Narrier collecting sandalwood seeds from the back of the ute.
Group photo of planting team next to a ute.
Jess (CPOZ), Mainey, Mark, Bomber, Joyce, Darryl and Peter (FarmWoods) during monitoring and sandalwood infill 2021.
Trees growing in planting row
The planting site showing good progress two years on from planting.
Women smiling next to an Acacia acuminata plant holding a measuring stick with a man behind the plant looking down at a phone in his hand
Jess and Dr Peter Ritson measuring the height of an Acacia acuminata.
Close up of an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle')
A healthy Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
Aerial view of some of the planting rows.
Aerial view of some of the planting rows.
Juvenile Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia')
Juvenile Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’) germinated from seed planted in 2019.
Measuring the stem diameter of a juvenile Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle').
Measuring the stem diameter of a juvenile Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’).
Man standing next to and look up at an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle').
Dr Peter Ritson standing next to a tall Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
Beautiful flowering Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia').
Beautiful flowering Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’).
Acacia meisneri ('Blue wattle') beginning to flower.
Acacia meisneri (‘Blue wattle’) beginning to flower.
Planting rows of Acacia species and Santalum spicatum ('Sandalwood').
Planting rows of Acacia species and Santalum spicatum (‘Sandalwood’).
Man giving instructions to planting team with planting equipment
Dr Peter Ritson and the Noongar Boodja Rangers preparing to plant sandalwood seeds.
Two bags of Sandalwood seeds for planting.
Sandalwood seeds for planting.
People planting seedlings in planting rows
Noongar Boodja Rangers planting sandalwood seeds next to Jam wattle hosts.
close up of curled sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) leaves.
Curled sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) leaves.
Woman smiling and standing next to a large Hakea multilineata ('Grass-leaved hakea').
Ebony (CPOZ) standing next to a large Hakea multilineata (‘Grass-leaved hakea’).
Thriving Hakea prostrata ('Harsh hakea').
Thriving Hakea prostrata (‘Harsh hakea’).
Measuring the width of an Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle') stem with a DBH measurer.
Measuring the width of an Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’) stem.
Girl smiling next to a flowering Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia').
Jess (CPOZ) with a flowering Banksia prionotes (‘Acorn banksia’).
Drone image of planting rows
One of the sandalwood planting areas.
Woman smiling and standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle').
Ches (CPOZ) next to a very tall Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’).
Juvenile sandalwood next to an established Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle') host.
Juvenile sandalwood next to an established Acacia acuminata (‘Jam wattle’) host.
hand holding a Jam wattle gum
Jam wattle gum, traditionally used by Noongar people as a lolly and to treat ailments.
Two people standing with planting equipment
Jess (CPOZ) and Bomber (Noongar Boodja Rangers) deciding which areas to infill.
two women organising seedlings into seedlings buckets
Catherine (CPOZ) and Ebony (CPOZ) collecting Banksia and Acacia seedlings for planting.
Woman standing with back to camera facing ute tray to fill seedlings buckets
Jess (CPOZ) collecting seedlings next to the sandalwood infill area.
Man standing with planting equipment and full seedling bucket
Lance (Noongar Boodja Rangers) with a bucket full of Banksia seedlings.
Woman walking along planting seedlings with planting equipment and full seedling bucket
Ebony (CPOZ) using the pottiputki to plant seedlings.
Group photo of planting team standing and sitting on the ground with planting equipment
The planting team.
Established Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle') growing in planting rows
Impressive Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
Two women standing next to an impressive Hakea multilineata ('Grass leaved hakea').
Louise (CPOZ) and Pollyanna (CPOZ) standing next to an impressive Hakea multilineata (‘Grass leaved hakea’).
Established trees growing in planting rows
Great growth and plant establishment in the planting rows.
close up of aHakea multilineata ('grass-leaved hakea') in bloom.
Hakea multilineata (‘grass-leaved hakea’) in bloom.
Fruiting sandalwood (Santalum spicatum).
Fruiting sandalwood (Santalum spicatum).
Woman standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle')
Louise (CPOZ) standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’).
Close up of sandalwod (Santalum spicatum) tree with fallen sandalwood nuts on the ground
Fallen sandalwood nuts.
Women with fly net and measuring stick standing next to an Allocasuraina huegeliana ('rock sheoak').
Liv (CPOZ) next to a very tall Allocasuraina huegeliana (‘rock sheoak’).
Drone image of planting area with cropping paddock in background
Aerial view of part of the planting area.
Large established trees growing in planting rows
Part of the planting area showing great growth and establishment.
Women staning next to an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle')
Jess (CPOZ) standing next to an impressively tall Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’).
close up of a flowering Acacia meisneri
Flowering Acacia meisneri (‘Blue wattle’).
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) growing next to an Jam wattle (Acacia acuminata)
Little sandalwood tree growing next to it’s host species, an Acacia acuminata.
Very healthy Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle') covered in seed pods.
Very healthy Acacia microbotrya (‘Manna wattle’) covered in seed pods.
Drone image of planting area.
Aerial view of the planting area during 2023 monitoring.
Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle')
An Acacia lasiocalyx (‘Shaggy wattle’) standing tall and proud.
Cleared area of land with sandy yellow soil
Cleared area of flat land with sandy yellow soil and silver car
Close up of seedlings in seedling tray
Two men smiling whilst walking with seedlings bucket and placing seedlings in a pottiputki
Three men standing and posing for a photo with seedling buckets and planting equipment
Pottiputki planting equipment
Group photo with planting equipment
Ripped planting rows ready for planting.
Acacia shrub growing in planting row
Plants growing in planting row in sandy soil
A bucket of Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) seeds de-husked and ready to be sown.
Man smiling with seedling bucket
Group photo with planting equipment
Man smiling whilst planting a seedling into a planting row with a pottiputki
Man standing next to ute tray placing seedlings in seedling bucket
Group photo of planting team next to a ute.
Trees growing in planting row
Women smiling next to an Acacia acuminata plant holding a measuring stick with a man behind the plant looking down at a phone in his hand
Close up of an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle')
Aerial view of some of the planting rows.
Juvenile Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia')
Measuring the stem diameter of a juvenile Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle').
Man standing next to and look up at an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle').
Beautiful flowering Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia').
Acacia meisneri ('Blue wattle') beginning to flower.
Planting rows of Acacia species and Santalum spicatum ('Sandalwood').
Man giving instructions to planting team with planting equipment
Two bags of Sandalwood seeds for planting.
People planting seedlings in planting rows
close up of curled sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) leaves.
Woman smiling and standing next to a large Hakea multilineata ('Grass-leaved hakea').
Thriving Hakea prostrata ('Harsh hakea').
Measuring the width of an Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle') stem with a DBH measurer.
Girl smiling next to a flowering Banksia prionotes ('Acorn banksia').
Drone image of planting rows
Woman smiling and standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle').
Juvenile sandalwood next to an established Acacia acuminata ('Jam wattle') host.
hand holding a Jam wattle gum
Two people standing with planting equipment
two women organising seedlings into seedlings buckets
Woman standing with back to camera facing ute tray to fill seedlings buckets
Man standing with planting equipment and full seedling bucket
Woman walking along planting seedlings with planting equipment and full seedling bucket
Group photo of planting team standing and sitting on the ground with planting equipment
Established Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle') growing in planting rows
Two women standing next to an impressive Hakea multilineata ('Grass leaved hakea').
Established trees growing in planting rows
close up of aHakea multilineata ('grass-leaved hakea') in bloom.
Fruiting sandalwood (Santalum spicatum).
Woman standing next to an Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle')
Close up of sandalwod (Santalum spicatum) tree with fallen sandalwood nuts on the ground
Women with fly net and measuring stick standing next to an Allocasuraina huegeliana ('rock sheoak').
Drone image of planting area with cropping paddock in background
Large established trees growing in planting rows
Women staning next to an Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle')
close up of a flowering Acacia meisneri
Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) growing next to an Jam wattle (Acacia acuminata)
Very healthy Acacia microbotrya ('Manna wattle') covered in seed pods.
Drone image of planting area.
Acacia lasiocalyx ('Shaggy wattle')