In this episode from the asset vault, I'm joined by Dr. Colin Smith of Paperbark Consulting. Colin is an expert soil scientist, and in this conversation he shares his vast experience in plantation forestry, giving insights that will support investors (and forest managers for that matter) with what considerations should be made and questions should be asked when evaluating several technical plantation management factors. We talk about where certain tree species do best and get into specifics on soil, water, climate, the importance of research, ecological deserts and more.

"The most dangerous thing in a forestry investment plan is a spreadsheet"

00:08 Introduction & Guest Overview

00:43 Colin Smith’s Forestry Background and Consulting Work

05:37 Lessons from Forestry Failures and Investment Due Diligence

08:50 Key Factors in Evaluating Plantation Forest Investments

13:07 Site-Level Management, Silviculture & Weed Control

15:25 Native Species vs Commercial Plantation Species

17:33 Eucalyptus, Water Use & Sustainability Myths

22:41 Does Irrigation Make Sense in Forestry?

30:12 Climate Change, Species Selection & Risk Management

35:55 Why Forestry Projects Need Research & Development Trials

39:02 Biodiversity, Soil Health & the ‘Ecological Desert’ Debate

43:21 Colin’s Top Advice for New Forest Investors

44:34 How to Contact Colin Smith

45:34 Colin’s Favourite Tree Revisited

46:26 Closing Remarks & Outro

Founding Director and Host: Shauna Matkovich - The ForestLink

Producer and Editor: Magdalena Laas - Unscripted Creatives

Nature by MaxKoMusic/Soundcloud

Sopwell Woodlands and Scohaboy Bog SAC, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, IRELAND by wild_rumpus/Soundcloud

Ambient Documentary by Sound Guru (Pixabay)

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