Mechanization in short rotation intensive culture (SRIC) forestry

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:135667

Stokes, B ^[1]; Hartsough, B ^[2]

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1. Auburn Univ., AL (United States)
2. Univ. of California, Davis, CA (United States)

This paper summarizes the information presented at an international conference on SRIC mechanization held in Mobile, Alabama during March 1994. Most of the approximately 20,000 ha of operational plantations in the United States are intended primarily for pulp production, with energy as a byproduct, therefore trees are grown to larger sizes than in dedicated energy plantations. Essentially all mechanization in the U.S. has been limited to the use of conventional agricultural equipment for site preparation and cultural activities, and conventional forestry equipment for harvesting. Most planting is done by hand. The relatively small scale of SRIC plantations, diversity of site condition and range of material requirements make the development of specialized equipment less attractive, yet development efforts in Sweden are yielding large gains in harvesting efficiency for small trees intended solely for energy use. A cooperative endeavor in the U.S. involving growers, researchers, manufacturers and government agencies might provide similar results for larger trees to be converted into pulp or liquid fuel.

• OSTI ID: 135667
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410176--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
DESIGN
HARVESTING
HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
TREES