the potential of eucalyptus species as a source of biomass / fibre in ireland kevin j hutchinson...
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The Potential of Eucalyptus SpeciesAs a Source of Biomass / Fibre In Ireland
Kevin J HutchinsonDavid ThompsonBill Berkery
The Genus Eucalyptus
Approximately 900 species Worldwide
Mostly found in Australia
Cultivated widely around the world North & South America, Africa Europe
Eucalyptus in Ireland
First Irish planting in county Antrim in 1857 Since then various phases of planting Many different species tried Objective of producing logs for sawn timber Mixed results Drying / splitting problems JFK arboretum
Current Project
1992/93 number of plots of Eucalyptus established
Mainly Eucalyptus nitens but also other species
Forgotten about / Lack of management ‘Re-Discovered’ in 2007 Project group set up
Terms of Reference
Terms of reference evolved Assess volume production of P 1992 / 93 plots Carry out processing trials of timber from these
plots in Medite & Smartply Assess the energy value of the timber Establish new plots of Eucalyptus nitens and
Eucalyptus globulus Assess the financial viability of growing
Eucalyptus nitens on short rotations as a fibre source for Medite & Smartply or as a source of Bio energy
Volume Production
Eucalyptus nitens best MAI varied from 18.6 to
41.1m3/ha Average MAI of 28m3/ha 1992/93 planting sites
randomly selected Site selection should result in
average MAI > 28m3/ha
Wexford Clearfell Site
Clearfelled to obtain material for testing
Species Eucalyptus nitens
Age 16 Years
Stems per ha. 740
Vol / ha 418m3
Mean tree 0.56m3
MAI 26.1m3
Processing Trials
Medite – MDF
Smartply – OSB
Dundrum – Sawn Timber
Energy Production
Work undertaken by Waterford Institute of Technology WIT
Irish Eucalyptus nitens 28% higher oven dry density compared to Sitka spruce
Suitable species for Biomass energy
Establishment Trials
2008 30,000 Eucalyptus nitens
10,000 Eucalyptus globulus
2009 35 ha’s Eucalyptus nitens
2010 120 ha’s Eucalyptus nitens
70ha Eucalyptus nitens
2011 170 ha’s 70ha Eucalyptus gunnii
30ha other species
Economic Analysis Looked at
MAI Rotation Length Product – Pulp, Pallet, Sawlog, Energy Haulage distance from users Internal rate of return (IRR)
Results Results were very encouraging on Coillte owned
land When land price factored in – some form of grant
aid is necessary
Issues
Climate / Weather Species selection Site selection Bark / debarking Leaf Beetle Drying Grant aid