LATEST NEWS & MEDIA
05 Feb 2013 - IFEAT Paper on adulteration released
In November 2012 Jerome Chopard presented "IMPROVED IDENTIFICATION METHODS FOR AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE OIL" to the IFEAT International Conference. More »»
11 Dec 2012 - Tea Tree and Carbon
Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and building soil carbon in the tea tree industry will be the subject of a collaborative research program between Southern Cross University and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. More »»
23 May 2012 - Pre-employment training
Local agribusinesses and their industry associations are backing a scheme to train and recruit local people specifically for their industry. More »»
20 Apr 2012 - Dairy farmers could soon have an unusual weapon in the battle against mastitis - essential oils
Lavender, eucalyptus and tea-tree oils have come under the microscope at Charles Sturt University's School of Animal and Veterinary Science, where PhD student Lynne Appleby is researching their effect on mastitis-causing bacteria. More »»
PrintHarvesting
M alternifolia is grown in plantations and the entire aerial growth of the plantation tree is mechanically harvested using modified forage harvesters which chop the leaf and twigs into a finely cut mass ready for steam distillation of the oil. Plantation trees are usually harvested every 12-18 months. The trees are robust and with good husbandry some plantations have been able to harvest leaf from their trees for up to 27 years. All plantation operators and harvesters take care to preserve the natural environmental balance to sustain and maintain future resources.
Images courtesy of Greg Baildon©
Many M alternifolia plantations are on the floodplains of the Northern Rivers area in NSW, Australia. During flood periods harvest can be delayed, though Melaleuca spp are well adapted to the area and can tolerate extendeed periods of inundation without being harmed.
The last of the floodwaters of May 2009 recede on a plantation near Bungawalbyn, NSW on the banks of the Richmond River.