Mr Jugo Ilic Trees to plant for salinity management With salinity affecting an ever-growing proportion of Australia's farmland, the publication of a guide to native trees and shrubs that can help ameliorate the problem is timely. It draws together information on tree salt tolerance gathered by many research groups including the Division. A Guide to Selecting Native Species for Australia , the attractively presented book's main purpose is to help landholders, landcare and community groups, planners, field researchers and others make decisions about which trees and shrubs they should plant on salt-affected land. It provides detailed descriptions of 30 species including growth characteristics, potential uses for the timber, suitable soil types and climate requirements.
Maps give the estimated climatic range of each species.
The book provides less detailed descriptions of another 30 species together with general information on issues such as how trees deal with saline soil, their susceptibility to insect pests, where to plant them and how best to establish them. Demand for the product has soared with the banning of organochlorine insecticides for below-ground termite control from 30 June this year. Under the new licensing arrangement, CSR Readymix will produce it in all States, with production sites located as close as possible to major growth centres. Granitgard consists of finely graded stone particles, and is laid beneath the concrete floors of new buildings or around foundation stumps. Research has shown that termites cannot penetrate it because the particles are too large and heavy for them to shift, too hard for them to dissolve with their saliva, and too closely packed to provide a way through.