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The Potential of Eucalyptus Species As a Source of Biomass / Fibre In Ireland

The Potential of Eucalyptus Species As a Source of Biomass / Fibre In Ireland. Kevin J Hutchinson David Thompson Bill Berkery. The Genus Eucalyptus. Approximately 900 species Worldwide Mostly found in Australia Cultivated widely around the world North & South America, Africa Europe.

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The Potential of Eucalyptus Species As a Source of Biomass / Fibre In Ireland

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  1. The Potential of Eucalyptus SpeciesAs a Source of Biomass / Fibre In Ireland Kevin J Hutchinson David Thompson Bill Berkery

  2. The Genus Eucalyptus • Approximately 900 species Worldwide • Mostly found in Australia • Cultivated widely around the world • North & South America, • Africa • Europe

  3. Eucalyptus in Ireland • First Irish planting in county Antrim in 1857 • Since then various phases of planting • Many different species tried • Objective of producing logs for sawn timber • Mixed results • Drying / splitting problems • JFK arboretum

  4. Current Project • 1992/93 number of plots of Eucalyptus established • Mainly Eucalyptus nitens but also other species • Forgotten about / Lack of management • ‘Re-Discovered’ in 2007 • Project group set up

  5. Terms of Reference • Terms of reference evolved • Assess volume production of P 1992 / 93 plots • Carry out processing trials of timber from these plots in Medite & Smartply • Assess the energy value of the timber • Establish new plots of Eucalyptus nitens and Eucalyptus globulus • Assess the financial viability of growing Eucalyptus nitens on short rotations as a fibre source for Medite & Smartply or as a source of Bio energy

  6. Volume Production • Eucalyptus nitens best • MAI varied from 18.6 to 41.1m3/ha • Average MAI of 28m3/ha • 1992/93 planting sites randomly selected • Site selection should result in average MAI > 28m3/ha

  7. Wexford Clearfell Site

  8. Processing Trials • Medite – MDF • Smartply – OSB • Dundrum – Sawn Timber

  9. Energy Production • Work undertaken by Waterford Institute of Technology WIT • Irish Eucalyptus nitens 28% higher oven dry density compared to Sitka spruce • Suitable species for Biomass energy

  10. Establishment Trials

  11. Economic Analysis • Looked at • MAI • Rotation Length • Product – Pulp, Pallet, Sawlog, Energy • Haulage distance from users • Internal rate of return (IRR) • Results • Results were very encouraging on Coillte owned land • When land price factored in – some form of grant aid is necessary

  12. Issues • Climate / Weather • Species selection • Site selection • Bark / debarking • Leaf Beetle • Drying • Grant aid

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