Biomass production in mixed plantation with SRC and noble hardwoods

A new model of cultivation that combines reforestation with noble hardwood species (Maple, Cherry, Service and Wild Service Trees, etc) and Short Rotation Coppices (SRC) with poplar, willow and black locust was studied in Italy. This paper refers the results obtained during the first 2-4 years of growth. If correctly grown, the clones of poplar and willow selected for biomass can assure good productions up to 8-9 Odt·ha-1·year-1. The poplar and willow clones had shown a different behavior depending on the pedological and climatic characteristics of the sites, therefore it will be necessary to carefully choose the clones to insert in the stand. On a Piedmont sites, characterized by marginal soil for the agriculture, also the Black Locust has given good results of growth and production: 4 Odt·ha-1·year-1. The interaction among the intercalary SRC and the noble hardwood plants still have not been put in evidence from the statistical analysis.