A dead tree hollow is high-rise accommodation for the lace monitor, also known as a tree goanna. Photo: Ros King.
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority is highlighting the importance of tree hollows for wildlife in its 2025 Year of the Tree Hollow community campaign.
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Hand-in-hand with this comes the message to protect paddock trees and native vegetation during stubble burning season.
This month, the lace monitor (Varanus varius), one of the Goulburn Broken catchment’s iconic top-order predators, is featured.
Goulburn Broken CMA project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said this mighty monitor, also known as a tree goanna, relied on a healthy, functioning landscape to support its food needs.
“This means a healthy ground layer, shrubs, tall trees and hollows in both living and dead trees,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“Like all reptiles, the lace monitor is ectothermic, meaning it depends on external heat sources to keep warm. Unfortunately, bitumen and dirt roads are irresistible to the heat-seeking lace monitor, so it’s important to remain vigilant when driving.”
Ms Mentiplay-Smith said the lace monitor was a beneficiary of, and ambassador for, large old trees in the environment and the vital tree hollow habitat they provide.
“Old, dead trees are like tree hollow high-rises and supermarkets,” she said.
“They provide shelter for the lace monitor as well as many species of hollow-dependent fauna such as birds and their eggs, reptiles and the common brushtail possum and gliders, which are dinner for the lace monitor.
“Some farming practices such as burning crop stubble after harvest can be disastrous for the lace monitor, should the burn also ignite paddock trees and associated shelter and food that this amazing reptile has become to depend upon.”
Famers and landholders are urged to understand the risks associated with stubble burning this season and act accordingly.
It’s illegal to remove, lop or destroy native vegetation including paddock trees and standing dead trees, therefore protecting native vegetation during a stubble burn is crucial.
“It’s important to recognise that dead trees are just as valuable as living trees,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“For too long, dead trees have been seen as untidy and useless, where in fact, they are just as important as living trees.
“If dead trees feature on your property, protect them during a stubble burn and don’t cut them down for firewood or to neaten the paddock.
“Retain and treasure them — you may be surprised who you see using them.”
A lace monitor snug inside its tree hollow home. Photo: Richard Gregson
To protect your paddock trees when burning
Conduct burning in cooler weather with minimal wind. A cooler fire means soil microbes are less impacted than when the fire burns hot.
Keep in mind that the heat from a burn can affect a paddock tree eight to 10 metres away. Ensure scorching does not occur, as over time this incremental damage will contribute towards the tree’s demise.
Investigate alternatives to annual burning. Stubble retention provides ground cover that protects topsoil from wind and water erosion, helps build soil structure and helps the soil retain moisture.
Protect all paddock trees by placing a fire break at least seven metres from the tree canopy edge or ‘drip line’.
Protect dead trees with a firebreak as they are valuable roosting, perching and nesting habitat for a variety of bat and bird species.
If you are planting ‘future paddock trees’, plant them in large, deep clumps interspersed with shrubs to provide a buffer against heat and scorch.
Locate stock feeding stations away from paddock trees to reduce stock pressure, nutrient build up and soil compaction. The build-up of old, dry fodder around a tree will generate excess heat that may result in tree-scorch during a burn.
Spread out large logs around the base of the tree to prevent stock from accessing the vulnerable root zone, rather than stack them in a heap. Should it catch fire, stacked timber will generate excessive heat and flame that will most likely kill the paddock tree.
Heat scorch can be minimised by undertaking small back burns from the fire break around the paddock tree.
Landowners are required to check and follow regulations and laws set down by the CFA and local councils. Stay in attendance at the burn until it is completely extinguished and ensure there is an adequate water supply and resources on hand to control the burn.
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