In a continent as hot and dry as Australia, it is inevitable that fire will continue to be an environmental force, but there are ways we can manage its impact for the protection of lives, property and native flora and fauna. Forests are not just good for Australia's air, beauty and wildlife. They also produce a lot of money, which helps to pay for the things we have to buy from other countries. Australia has about 140,000 hectares of eucalypt plantations and more areas are being established. The rate of planting increased from about 2,500 hectares a year in the late 1980s to over 10,000 hectares a year in the early 1990s and further increases are likely.
Pine trees are an important source of wood for building and for pulp and paper.
Their uses include newsprint, cardboard, and wrapping paper as well as furniture and a wide range of structural applications, such as house frames. Chipping , is the first stage in the paper making process.