
The Willow Biomass Project is a collaborative effort by members of the Salix Consortium to grow
willow
Willows, also called sallows and osiers, from the genus ''Salix'', comprise around 400 speciesMabberley, D.J. 1997. The Plant Book, Cambridge University Press #2: Cambridge. of typically deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist ...
and other sustainable woody crops in upstate New York. The project, funded through the U.S. Department of Energy's Biomass Power for Rural Development Program, seeks to commercialize willow bioenergy crops as a renewable source of
biofuel. To date, the project has planted willow on at least of privately leased land and of farmer-contracted land.
Willow
Willow was chosen for the project for several reasons. It provides a similar amount of energy per ton as other hardwoods, but can be cultivated every few years at relatively low cost. It propagates very easily from cuttings, has a quick growth cycle, and tends to regrow following harvest.
SUNY-ESF estimates that it can be harvested six to seven times before it needs to be replanted.
The Willow Biomass Project
/ref>
Salix Consortium
The Salix Consortium was an association of 20 New York universities and corporations, including Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, Cornell University's Departments of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Ornithology, Antares Group, Inc. and others.
See also
*Coppicing
Coppicing is a traditional method of woodland management which exploits the capacity of many species of trees to put out new shoots from their stump or roots if cut down. In a coppiced wood, which is called a copse, young tree stems are repeated ...
References
External links
"Willowpedia: A Resource for Shrub Willow Bioenergy Crops,"
Cornell University
{{Bioenergy
Sustainable agriculture
Biofuel in the United States
Environment of New York (state)
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Cornell University
Salix
Renewable energy in the United States