Abstract
With the increasing demand for fuel the use of biomass from other tree components like branches and tops has increased rapidly. Norway has abundant raw material resources which can be use for bioenergy. Sitka spruce and Norway spruce are becoming more interesting due to their potential energy for heating. The study consisted of 2 site locations in Nordland - 1 stand of Sitka spruce in Steigen area, and 1 stand of Sitka spruce, 1 stand of Norway spruce, and 1 stand of Lutz spruce in Somna area. Bark thickness differed between the sites within decreasing pattern along the stem. Significant differences of bark density between sites, tree species and tree height levels with decreasing trend towards the top were found. Branches density decreased along the crown level and had about 15-20% higher density than wood density. Wood density varied significantly with sites and height of tree - highest pattern on the tree base, decreasing to 20% of height, and again increasing to the top. The moisture content of branches, wood and bark increased from the base of tree to the top. Bark moisture was about 20-25% higher as wood moisture content. Sitka spruce in Northland may be highly considered as a valuable bioenergy source.
Highlights
The biofuel market is not sufficiently studied and less evolved in Norway compared to what has already taken place in the neighboring countries of Sweden and Finland over the most recent years
Branches density decreased along the crown level and had about 15-20% higher density than wood density
The moisture content of branches, wood and bark increased from the base of tree to the top
Summary
The biofuel market is not sufficiently studied and less evolved in Norway compared to what has already taken place in the neighboring countries of Sweden and Finland over the most recent years. In order to reach national goals, a sustainable utilization of forest biofuels is a central task for Norway It has been the tree stem which is used as an industrial raw material and an energy source. Sitka spruce and Lutz spruce are important wood species from the view of economic use of forest in north part of Norway where they grow faster with the higher volume production that Norway spruce in this forest area [2]. These species are becoming more interesting due to their potential energy for heating. For potential industrial utilization of stem wood and branches the most important properties are the moisture content and density
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