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We have gotten to discussing the idea of clearing some forest and planting poplars for firewood production. We do have some poplar already growing in our forest. We could begin doing cuttings from existing trees, to propagate more where we want them. We could attempt to plant an acre or two each year. Then after 6 or 7 years, cut them down into cords for sale. Then graft cuttings onto the stumps, for faster re-growth. I have not done any grafting since I got out of college, but it was not hard to do.
Brilliant. You can use a rooting compound that would increase your survival rates on your cuttings. I imagine you know what you're doing . I think you have a very good idea there.
Not a horrible plan, but a couple of potential hurdles come to mind.
1. White-tail deer are fond of new growth poplar. Beavers think it's the eqivalent of filet mignon.
2. Poplar isn't exactly ideal firewood. While it's certainly burnable when dry, and does throw good heat, it really doesn't have much staying power when compared to oak, ash, maple etc. It also tends to burn to complete ash rather than leaving a bed of coals. Poplar is more suited to a fall and spring firewood rather than a January wood.
That being said, I doubt you'd have to take cuttings or grafts to replant. Poplars pollard quite nicely from the stump after being cut, and they have a noted ability to spread new trees from root knees. Six years might be a little optimistic for a harvest cycle, but 10 -12 years would probably result in a 10-inch butt.
Brilliant. You can use a rooting compound that would increase your survival rates on your cuttings. I imagine you know what you're doing . I think you have a very good idea there.
Yes, a rooting hormone compound, like aspirin [willow-sap which is in the same family as the poplar]. Ooops, actually I might not, it just might be a bit over-kill, in this case. Seeing that these trees already produce a rooting hormone.
Thank you though it was a very good idea.
I have played with willow before, but never poplar. Since they are very similiar [in growth methods and chemistry], I would imagine that it should not be a huge leap.
Not a horrible plan, but a couple of potential hurdles come to mind.
1. White-tail deer are fond of new growth poplar. Beavers think it's the eqivalent of filet mignon.
2. Poplar isn't exactly ideal firewood. While it's certainly burnable when dry, and does throw good heat, it really doesn't have much staying power when compared to oak, ash, maple etc. It also tends to burn to complete ash rather than leaving a bed of coals. Poplar is more suited to a fall and spring firewood rather than a January wood.
That being said, I doubt you'd have to take cuttings or grafts to replant. Poplars pollard quite nicely from the stump after being cut, and they have a noted ability to spread new trees from root knees. Six years might be a little optimistic for a harvest cycle, but 10 -12 years would probably result in a 10-inch butt.
They call it biscuit wood around here! It makes a hot fire then goes out!
If You delivered Me a load of firewood with a lot of Poplar in it I would refuse it . Even down here in mass.
Bob
Ps.
The fact that I bought and cut 240 cords of firewood from the Wachusett reservoir in 1985 . Then moved to Me. for a few years and logged with My own Skidder . Has No influence for My dislike of the many dealers down here who sell poplar as firewood .
Pps
Forest
You could always make musical instruments out of Your trees .
my dad used to call poplar "biscuit sticks".........when making biscuits in a cookstove a hot fire was needed and a few armloads of 2"-3" poplar sticks did the trick
poplars are growing wild in my wood lot here, the local call tuliptree. seedling start from seeds seem to grow very fast. wood is softer than (oak,beech and iron wood) growing around here. it grow streight trunk, easy to cut and slit for fire wood, "ha ha my log split skill getting better" , it has pretty and high heat flame but don't think it last long in wood stove.
Poplar is not good firewood. It would make good kindling. Poplar plywood is good for cabinets, but it will propbly grow faster down south.
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. I think you have a very good idea there.
