LATEST NEWS & MEDIA
09 Nov 2011 - Storage Tank for Sale
For Sale: Storage Tank, 10,000 L (2 x 5,000L compartments), stainless steel, double walls, ex Coraki AUD $ 7,500.00. Contact Hans 0402 019 811 More »»
17 May 2011 - Australian native plant industries featured by Australia Post
Australia Post is featuring four of Australia's largest native plant industries: eucalyptus oil, honey, macadamia nuts and tea tree oil in a new stamp issue available on 17 May 2011. More »»
25 Jan 2011 - Myrtle Rust in Tea Trees
ATTIA Ltd sent seedlings of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea trees) to the CSIRO for host testing in mid 2010. The tests were positive. More »»
21 Jan 2011 - New Address for ATTIA Ltd
ATTIA Ltd has a new postal address. For all correspondence please use PO Box 903 Casino NSW 2470. 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.