Above-ground biomass of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees and stands

Abstract

The increasing demand for forest products, diminishing forest land areas, and general concern about the long-term effects of deforestation have increased the need for multipurpose tree species with rapid growth rates. Consequently, information on renewable energy resources is becoming increasingly crucial, and forest biomass determination is becoming a significant part of forestry. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a fast growing, nitrogen fixing, stress tolerant species with durable and high quality wood that can be used for many purposes including wall panelling; vine props; furniture; pulp and paper; animal feed stock; bee forage; and biomass energy. This article presents the above-ground biomass of black locust, both for individual trees and for stands. Information concerning wet and absolute dry wood for stem, merchantable (d 1.3 > 5 cm) and small (d 1.3 < 5 cm) wood, and for other tree parts (foliage, bark) for individual trees and for black locust stands are detailed in dendromass tables by six yield classes.