Paperlinx Green Shareholders' Group

Weeds and Diseases

Disturbance can also assist in propagating diseases.

Weeds
The weeds most prevalent in the Strzeleckis are the blackberries, ragwort, thistles of several species.
All require some attention.

The ragwort (Senecia jacobea) tends to arouse most passion because of its prolific wind born seeds which spread readily from infestations into neighbouring pasture, roadsides and gardens. Fortunately forest tends to shade them out once it has established a full canopy.

Myrtle Wilt
The disease affects Myrtle Beech trees (Nothofagus cunninghamii) which only grow in Cool Temperate Rainforest which is now so rare in Victoria as to be declared protected.
The disease was first described in Tasmania in 1973. A study in Victoria in 1968-1972 found no disease. By 1980 it was well established in the Otways.
It has now spread to the Strzeleckis.

The disease is exacerbated by human disturbance, which wounds root systems and tree stems. Construction of tracks, timber harvesting in mixed forests, wind-throw and land clearing can spread the disease.

The disease affects Myrtle Beech trees which grow only in Cool Temperate Rainforest. It is always fatal to the tree.

	PaperlinX's land at English Corner, College Creek, includes a substantial remnant of Cool Temperate Rainforest. This is supposed to be left protected by substantial buffer zones if any work is being done in the area. In this case track 12 was bulldozed into the Rainforest (which was marked as such on maps by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment), passing by this Myrtle. Buffer zones should have been left to protect this Cool Temperate Rainforest. Additionally timber from the track was pushed into the Rainforest, and against the Myrtle. The combination of soil disturbance, physical damage, and exposure to unaccustomed wind and light have presumably all combined to weaken any resistance the tree may have had. Some leaves are beginning to show the rusty tinge that is symptomatic of the disease. Photo: Myrtle Wilt in College Creek, 1996 Copyright: Friends of Gippsland Bush Inc.
	The Myrtle Beech is dying, all its remaining leaves have taken on the characteristic rust colour that follows infection by wilt. There are Myrtles in this area which may have a continuous history spanning 1000 years or more. The original tree has died, 'children' have sprouted in a ring around the dead trunk, they in turn have died, 'grandchildren' have then sprouted around the ever growing central platform, and so on. Photo: Myrtle Wilt in College Creek, 1997 Copyright: Friends of Gippsland Bush Inc.
	The Myrtle Beech tree is now dead. So are at least six of its neighbours. Photo: Myrtle Wilt in College Creek, 1998 Copyright: Friends of Gippsland Bush Inc.

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