Biomass - Energy Toolbox

Growth and Development of Short-rotation Coppice Crops

Guidelines on the management and silviculture of some key coppice crops for fuelwood production have been produced as part of the outputs of the project. These have been produced for the following species: -

Gliricidia sepium
A multipurpose tree exhibiting rapid growth and ease of establishment
through cuttings. This is now regarded as an important plantation crop
within Sri Lanka. Click here to open [PDF 446Kb]

Calliandra calothrysus
Another rapidly growing species that also has a range of uses
including the supply of fuelwood.
Click here to open [PDF 1Mb]

Eucalyptus species
The genus Eucalyptus includes some 600 species, of which some 15
have become one of the leading mainstays of plantation forestry. On
the right sites, many species demonstrate rapid growth and coppice
vigorously providing fuelwood and poles.
Click here to open [PDF 237Kb]

Sesbania sesban and S.grandiflora are both rapidly growing leguminous trees. Both species are extremely tolerant of a wide range of soil types and will tolerate water-logging, although S.sesban will also tolerate a lengthy drought. Both species are popular for agroforestry and for the supply of tree fodder as well as producing quick-growing fuelwood.
Click here to open [PDF 425Kb]

An overview paper on the management of SRC within Europe and the tropics is provided in the conference paper, prepared by T. Abell of NRI.
View Paper [PDF 333Kb]