The Potential of Eucalyptus SpeciesAs a Source of Biomass / Fibre In Ireland

Kevin J HutchinsonDavid ThompsonBill Berkery

The Genus Eucalyptus

Approximately 900 species Worldwide

Mostly found in Australia

Cultivated widely around the world North & South America, Africa Europe

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

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

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

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

Wexford Clearfell Site

Clearfelled to obtain material for testing

Species Eucalyptus nitens

Age 16 Years

Stems per ha. 740

Vol / ha 418m3

Mean tree 0.56m3

MAI 26.1m3

Processing Trials

Medite – MDF

Smartply – OSB

Dundrum – Sawn Timber

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

Establishment Trials

2008 30,000 Eucalyptus nitens

10,000 Eucalyptus globulus

2009 35 ha’s Eucalyptus nitens

2010 120 ha’s Eucalyptus nitens

70ha Eucalyptus nitens

2011 170 ha’s 70ha Eucalyptus gunnii

30ha other species

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

Issues

Climate / Weather Species selection Site selection Bark / debarking Leaf Beetle Drying Grant aid