Protect valuable paddock trees

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is asking all landowners to take the necessary steps to protect paddock trees when burning stubble on their properties.

Fire restrictions are presem in place with a Fire Danger Period declared by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) until the start of May. This means that a permit is required to burn grass, stubble, and other vegetation on your property until the Fire Danger Period ends.

Native trees are protected by law and there are ways to avoid damaging them. Good planning and management are crucial to ensure they are protected in the long term. Once lost, native trees are impossible to replace in a person’s lifetime.

Paddock trees have huge biodiversity benefits and good preparation before burning on your property is important and will avoid impacts.

Grampians acting regional manager of natural environment programs Pauline Rudolph, said paddock trees offer a range of benefits, and urged landowners to take steps to protect them.

“It is important to protect native paddock trees. They provide shade to stock, reduce wind impacts to crops, store carbon, and provide habitat to important pollinators and birds that feed on pests,” Ms Rudolph said.

“We encourage landholders to be well prepared before beginning a stubble burn. Creating firebreaks around trees and having water and equipment ready to extinguish the fire will ensure you can protect your valued native trees.”

Other actions you can take to protect paddock trees include moving woody debris from around the base of the tree, and wetting the area around the tree before beginning your burn.

Find out more at environment.vic.gov.au

Please ensure you follow all CFA guidelines which outline what you can and can’t do during a declared Fire Danger Period.

For more information, head to cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/fire-bans-ratings-and-restrictions/can-i-or-cant-i

Anyone wanting to report concerns about stubble burning and the destruction of any paddock trees should contact the Moorabool Shire.