Trees for Energy

Abstract

Wood for fuel may come from scrub woodland, early thinnings, residues generated in the forest, or forest energy plantations. Scrub woodland can be revitalised by selective felling of valuable stems for timber and less valuable for firewood, and then enriched by planting faster growing species for firewood. Conservation is an important factor in managing these woodlands. Silviculture, dependent on adequate thinning, allows production of high quality sawlogs but financial justification for thinning is often very low. Whole tree harvesting using sophisticated machines and systems, which results in the production of chips or chunks in the forest is a promising development. Forest residues have to be increased in bulk density in order to increase the distance to which they can be economically transported. Preliminary results of some single stem forest energy plantation trials are discussed and the potential of such biomass production systems is examined. The management of energy plantations, and integration into the farming environment are considered.