Moisture Loss in Aspen Logging Residue
Keywords:
Energy, net heat, <i>Populus</i>, harvest, chippingAbstract
Two groups of aspen trees were harvested in northern Minnesota, one in April and one in July. The tops were left to dry in the open to simulate a clearcut harvest. Moisture loss was very rapid for one to two months following cutting and thereafter fluctuated within a narrow range. During the time span of this study, moisture loss of the tops was most influenced by the number of days since harvest and the average temperature for the 30 days preceding chipping. An approximate one-third increase in net heat was noted after only one month of drying in spring or summer.References
Elliott, R. N. 1980. Wood combustion. Decisionmaker's guide to wood fuel for small industrial users. SERI, Golden, CO.nLawrence, W. E. Jr. 1981. Field-drying logging residues as an industrial fuel. M.S. thesis, Dept. of Forestry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, VA 24061. 110 pp.nRogers, K. E. 1981. Preharvest drying of logging residues. For. Prod. J.31(12):32-36.n
