These are the findings of Professor David Lindenmayer and his research team, as he presented at the Gunning District Landcare’s recent ‘Truth About Trees’ event.

Traditionally, the wider the treeline, the greater the benefits back to the farm: the distance protected from weather extremes, the population of natural predators, the improvement in water and nutrient cycling and the biodiversity value all increases.

Professor Lindenmayer’s research supports this thinking, without doubt.

However, interestingly, what the research also shows is a narrow treeline, consisting of only one or two rows of trees has significant value to the farm landscape also.

A narrow treeline will take longer to develop such positive influences over a paddock.

The magnitude of benefits will not be as great, but the benefits are definitely there.

Be it a question of space or resources, if you have delayed planting trees because you felt a narrow row of trees wouldn’t be worthwhile, it may be worth reconsidering.

The benefits to biodiversity and, in turn, the paddock are still measurable.

There is always an option, in years to come, to widen treelines. When fences need replacing, plantings can be widened by adding a couple more lines of trees.

Without doubt, the truth about trees is the more we have in our landscape, the healthier and more profitable our landscape will become.

Upper Lachlan Landcare supports a community-based approach to managing and protecting our natural resources.