If a tree falls in the forest, let the fallen log lie, say conservationists

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Debate is raging about whether trees that have been blown over in windstorms should remain in Victorian forests or be carted away for timber or firewood.

Ponder this: If a tree falls in the forest because a storm has knocked it over, should you cart it away and make use of the wood or just let fallen logs lie?, some forests are still recovering from the catastrophe that brought down countless trees and left them strewn across the landscape. The Wombat State Forest, about 50 kilometres west of Melbourne, was among those hit hardest.

Victorian National Parks Association nature conservation campaigner Ben Gill said salvage logging, which involves removing damaged trees from forests, needs to stop.The environment department disputed suggestions it was “salvage logging” in the Wombat State Forest, and insisted it was removing storm debris, which was not for a commercial purpose.Gill agreed fallen trees should be removed where public safety was threatened, including from roadsides and near housing.

Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action chief fire officer Chris Hardman said staff and contractors had cleared more than 1200 kilometres of roads and tracks in the Wombat and Cobaw state forests. He said planning for other roadside sites had been completed and approved.Hardman said this targeted work by the department and partner agencies ensured they had access to suppress future fires in the Wombat State Forest, which would keep communities safer.

 

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