Paddock trees are not relics. They are infrastructure, and we are letting it collapse.

Scattered paddock trees, especially very large and old trees, are an integral part of inland farming landscapes in south-eastern Australia. They feed and shelter wildlife, act as stepping stones to connect landscapes, boost soil carbon and microbial communities, and hold deep cultural meaning for First Nations peoples as well as non-Indigenous Australians. Sadly, these trees are threatened and disappearing rapidly, and too few young trees are replacing them. Even dead trees are valuable for wildlife and should be retained where safe to do so.

Paddock Trees Under Threat explores the importance of these trees and the conservation measures required to save them. It discusses managed grazing, herbivore control, direct planting, and funding and community support. It also explains the need for policy change, including better land-clearing rules, financial incentives, better infrastructure planning, and research to guide planting in a changing climate. Using decades of on-ground experience and the latest scientific research, this concise and practical guide will be invaluable for landholders and others interested in the conservation of paddock trees.

David Lindenmayer, John Baker and Elizabeth Baker set out the full case in a new book, Paddock Trees Under Threat (CSIRO Publishing)

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