In response to the devastating 2020 bushfires in NSW and SA, this project set out to understand the immediate and long-term impacts of fires on perennial cropping systems – primarily apple orchards, with findings relevant to other tree crops. It aimed to identify the most effective recovery strategies and develop practical methods to minimise the damage from future bushfire events. 

The project evaluated different fire types (radiant vs. smouldering), pruning strategies, and crop reduction techniques across experimental sites in Batlow and the Adelaide Hills, with damage levels ranging from fire-free to extreme. Vegetative and reproductive recovery parameters were collected for 3–4 growing seasons after the bushfire and fruit quality at harvest was assessed. Apple storage and shelf-life performance were monitored for two growing seasons post-fire. Other assessments included perennial tissue non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) levels and tree nutrient status. 

Key findings include: 

This work provides clear, evidence-based guidance on tree recovery strategies and practical ways to build bushfire resilience in orchards. It delivered the first in-depth international scientific review of bushfire impacts on horticulture, offering strategies to minimise damage from increasingly frequent extreme fire events. Insights have been widely shared through field days, workshops, and seminars, with outcomes presented at international conferences. A dedicated bushfire recovery manual now supports growers with practical information on assessing damage, implementing recovery measures, and strengthening orchard resilience for the future.