In developing their Sunny Hills orchard, south-east ofDonnybrook, Helgo and his wife, Helga have introduced farm forestryto their property. Helgo says the farm forestry component arose simply because someof his land was not suitable for orchard trees. Relatively low inputs are required to establish and managethe trees. Trees are seen as a low risk investment. Trees improve the appearance of the farm landscape.
Trees add value to the property.
View looking across the Huebners' Donnybrook orchardto a 5 ha planting of blue gums. Planted on land not suitedto orchard trees, these blue gums will provide a valuable sourceof diversified income in future. Helgo's 5 ha of blue gums are now eight years old. The remainingtrees have been pruned to 6 m. Helgo is aiming for the highquality sawlog market with these trees but says a final decisionon how the trees will be sold will depend on market conditions. Helgo believes that most farmers would benefit from having somepart of their land planted to trees - to capture the environmentalbenefits of shelter for pasture, crops and livestock and for controlof rising watertables.