--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "Appal Energy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Poplar has been studied under similar circumstances. > > I hazard to suggest that the primary intent of willow and poplar for such a crop is to achieve high yields with a short turnaround time. As well, the small diameter stalk makes harvest comparably easy with equipment already existing on many farms. > > I have no familiarity with aspen other than checking them for signs of bear and enjoying their leaves as the rustle. > > Were aspen to produce equivalent energy yields over time, I believe it would be prudent to begin planting them as well. Aspen does nearly as well, particularly some of the hybrids that are crossed with Cottonwood. I am in the heart of Aspen country, and the Paper Mills have been working for several years to develop a fast growing hybrid for paper fiber. It is highly regarded as worse than sinful here, to consider cutting before the stems are of a size usable for paper pulp. I'm trying to put together a plan to gather the leftover limbs and tops for fuel use, after the stems are harvested for paper. 2-4 tons/acre could POTENTIALLY be available for alternative energy uses. Economic feasability seems to be another matter. The cost to gather and transport is too high, unless I can come up with more efficient equipment. Logging equipment is too big and heavy to be efficient, and farm equipment is too light duty, at least in my locale. Level even ground is used for farming. The rough rugged hills and ridges are forested. Farmland is more valuable to grow feed or hay crops, than it is to grow energy crops or paper pulp, at least at this time. This may change in the not-distant future. Motie ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> FREE COLLEGE MONEY CLICK HERE to search 600,000 scholarships! http://us.click.yahoo.com/iZp8OC/4m7CAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
