Biomass & Bioenergy, Vol.49, 152-159, 2013
Biomass equations for hybrid larch growing on farmland
Johansson, T. 2011. Biomass equations for hybrid larch growing on farmland. Data were collected from 20 stands of hybrid larch (Larix x eurolepis) growing on abandoned farmland in southern and central Sweden (Lat. 55-60 degrees N.). The mean stand age was 19 years (range 18-23). The mean number of stems per hectare was 1150 (range 364-2374) and the mean breast height diameter (over bark) was 15.6 cm (6.8-24.2). Soil types in the stands were light and medium clay and tills (sandy-silty and light clay). Mean dry weight above stump level (20 cm) for a hybrid larch tree in this study was 117 kg (range 36-245) and the standing dry weight for hybrid larch stands was 120 t ha(-1) (42-350). Mean annual increment (MAI) for the tree was 6.09 kg y(-1) (1.89-13.61) corresponding to production of 90-120 t ha(-1) after 15-20 years growth and a stem number of 1000-1500, if the stand is mainly used for biomass. Alternatively, for pulp wood and timber production a rotation period of 30-40 years can be used, with thinnings being exploited for biomass. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.