Abstract
Poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) are fast-growing trees and shrubs that can be used for a wide variety of environmental remediation and management purposes as well as provide biomass for bioenergy and bioproducts. Recent research in the U.S. has focused on growing these trees as short-rotation woody crops to provide biomass for renewable fuels and bio-based chemicals and products; however, domestic bioenergy markets have been inconsistent and the industry is still emerging. Although both poplar and willow have a long history of use for a variety of environmental purposes and bioenergy in Canada, Ireland, and other European countries, many barriers exist to similar implementation in the U.S. In April 2016, a National Working Forum was held in Portland, OR, to discuss how to bring together the environmental uses of poplar and willow with the production of biomass for fuel. This paper provides a summary of information and recommendations derived from the Forum including: (1) benefits, both environmental and otherwise, of growing poplar and willow and opportunities for using the biomass from these plantings, (2) barriers to this new endeavor, and (3) solutions to link biomass from poplar and willow grown for environmental applications to bioenergy markets. While use of poplar and willow for environmental benefits and biomass utilization is limited in the U.S., there have been successful programs, which are discussed in the Roadmap's supplemental Environmental Applications Series. A poplar- or willow-based system has the potential to be advantageous for landowners and others throughout the supply chain. This paper provides guidance towards the development of poplar and willow for environmental applications as well as a source of biomass for bioenergy.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 34-36).