Short-rotation forestry with hybrid aspen (Populus tremulaL.×P. tremuloidesMichx.) in Northern Europe

Abstract

This review summarises the knowledge about the ecology, breeding and management of hybrid aspen (Populus)wettsteinii Hämet-Ahti 0P. tremula L. )P. tremuloides Michx.). The review is restricted mainly to Northern Europe, where hybrid aspen has been most intensively studied and cultivated and where it has proved to be one of the fastest-growing hardwoods, suitable for the production of pulp-and energy-wood using the principles of short-rotation forestry. During recent decades over 4500 ha have been cultivated with hybrid aspen in the region. A number of research articles and domestic project reports involving hybrid aspen have been published, providing the basis for this review. Breeding has resulted in clones with high productivity and improved resistance to pests and diseases. Thus, hybrid aspen has fulfilled the preconditions for becoming an economically valuable hardwood in Northern Europe. Hybrid aspen plantations can be established on abandoned agricultural land, on forest land, and for the reclamation of exhausted surface mines. However, fast growth rate occurs only in fertile sites with good nutritional and hydrophysical properties. An increased area of Populus plantations on forest or agricultural land can have both positive and negative impacts on biodiversity, depending on landscape context, management activities and considered organisms. Further studies are needed concerning silviculture, site-growth relations, stability of clones, environmental and biodiversity impacts in large-scale plantations at various sites and adaptation of hybrid aspen to climate change.

Genetic Parameters of Growth Traits and Stem Quality of Silver Birch in a Low-Density Clonal Plantation

“…Application of the most productive genotypes is essential for profitability of such plantations [2]. In the Baltics, hybrids of Populus L. are highly productive, yet they are strongly damaged by wildlife and require continuous protection [3]. Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) has substantially lower environmental risks, yet is productive on agricultural land [4], and might be considered as an alternative.…”

Influence of Cutting Type and Fertilization in Production of Containerized Poplar Plants

“…Therefore, establishment of poplar should be performed at this time as poplar is sensitive to competing vegetation [7,10,12]. A newly transplanted plant needs time to recover from the stress of handling and moving and establish roots to uptake soil water and nutrients.…”

“…However, poplar plantings on forest land are not always successful. Poplar plantations may fail due to poor vegetation control or soil management as young poplars are sensitive to competing vegetation [7,10,12]. Poplars are fast growing, with a rotation period of 10 to 25 years depending on planting density and location [11,13].…”

“…plantations are an important source of wood, pulp and biomass in much of the temperate northern hemisphere. Poplar plantations are established mainly on marginal agricultural land [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. Poplar is less commonly planted on forest land [9][10][11]; such lands hold much potential for the expansion of poplar production.…”

Height increment of hybrid aspen <i>Populus tremuloides</i> x <i>P. tremula</i> as a function of weather conditions in central part of Latvia

“…In the Baltic Sea region, hybrid aspen (Populus tremula L. × P. tremuloides Michx.) is one of the most promising trees (hybrids) for biomass production due to high growth rates (Yu et al 2001b;Tullus et al 2011). Growth of hybrid aspen is rapid, significantly exceeding wood volume increment of its parent species due to longer period of assimilation (Yu et al 2001b;Rytter and Stener 2005).…”