Contact
Ilkka Valli , M.Sc. (For)
Forestry Division
T: 03 97699733
F: 03 97699722
M:+ 358 50 357 0846
E: CLICK HERE
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Gunns container nursery in Northern Tasmania:Gunns Limited is Australia’s largest forestry company. It has huge tree farm programs throughout the island State of Tasmania. The Company’s export operations generate hundreds of millions of dollars benefiting Australia, and especially the people of Tasmania. Hardwood Eucalyptus logs harvested by the Company’s contractors are sold to veneer and sawmills, with sawmill waste repurchased for woodchip production. Hardwood and soft wood pulpwood is process into woodchips by the Company for export for paper making. Transplant Systems was a joint contractor in the design and construction of our tree seedling production nursery. This included supplying us with our growing containers (side slot trays of 121 cells, 81 cells and 64 cells). The outer dimensions are the same for all three tray models. This enabled us to totally mechanise our tray handling systems in the nursery" says Ian Ravenwood, Manager, NW Gunns Limited Plantation.
During 2006 it became evident we needed to expand our nursery output. Our experiences with the trays proved we could grow excellent seedlings at both 549 plants per m2 cell vol 85 cc and 620 plants per m2 cell vol 50 cc. However we needed to consider the balance of capital input with product and biological out put. Our expansion plans were calculated on both of these plant densities. At the lower growing density (our preferred option), the expansion cost would be considerable. We could reduce this cost by using more of the higher density. But we felt this introduced too much growing management risk. We needed to reassess our objectives. We talked with Transplant Systems. They immediately responded with a new cell design concept for a new tray of 100 cells - 10 rows of 10 cells at 584 plants per m2. We liked the cell design, overall tray construction and density option, including that the tray be fully compatible with existing tray handling systems in our nursery. Transplant Systems were quick to present us with a CAD 3 D profile of the tray and cell construction. They invited us to visit their contracted design team and to view the mould making processes. This gave us confidence in Transplant System’s ability to supply a professional product. The order was placed.  Delivery was made within the required time saving us 20% of allocated capital apportioned to containers, benching and irrigation equipment. It was a win for us and a win for Transplant Systems. We wish them success with their new 100 cell side slot growing tray (TS-100F)** which is one of several new trays coming from Transplant Systems. We are confident about them being a professional supplier to our nursery and we will continue to order equipment and trays from them to meet further growth in our business. ** Gunns nursery in Tasmania are now using the TS-100F tray for their highly successful Eucalyptus seedling propagation. Transplant Plant Systems Pty Ltd has used it's experience over the last 20 years to produce a forestry tray that will give adequate densities without compromising the quality of the plants. The slot designed tray eliminates root spiraling, and creates a robust root system superior to comparable forestry trays. The special design ensures the transplant establish quickly in the field The TS-100F cell side slot forestry tray is designed particularly for plantation forest nurseries. The cells incorporate a revised and improved side slot air root-pruning technology, reflecting further development in this highly successful concept. Vents between the cells have been retained as these have proven effective in reducing foliage disease.
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Having all three trays gave us flexibility in cell volume selection and plant growing densities for different plant species. In practice we found all three trays to give excellent root structures in all plant varieties. 
