Reclaiming southern Appalachian surface mines with black locust fuel plantations
For many years black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) has been planted extensively in surface mine reclamation in the eastern United States. This tree species has little commercial value but has excellent potential as an alternative fuel resource because of its very high heat equivalent. In unmanaged stands from 2 to 13 years old established by direct seeding, black locust dry weight yields have ranged from 6 to 67 MT/ha. Observations of harvested plots indicate that coppice (sprout) yields will be much higher and that harvesting can be done in an environmentally acceptable manner. With the establishment of fuel plantations and the application of appropriate silvicultural techniques these yields could be greatly increased. The fuel plantation concept may be economically feasible on sites where site preparation and planting are part of the surface mine reclamation process, providing that trees can be harvested in an environmentally sound manner.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington
- OSTI ID:
- 5314966
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-791262-
- Journal Information:
- Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States), Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States); ISSN UKOBD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Insects in relation to black locust culture on surface-mine spoil in Kentucky, with emphasis on the locust twig borer, Ecdytolopha insiticiana Zell. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
First year coppice production from a 5-year-old black locust stand on surface mine spoil
Related Subjects
090400 -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
510500* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
APPALACHIA
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CALORIFIC VALUE
CLONING
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
COPPICES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FORESTS
GROWTH
LAND RECLAMATION
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PLANT GROWTH
PRODUCTIVITY
REVEGETATION
SPOIL BANKS
SPROUTING
SURFACE MINING
USA
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION