Cost of Removing and Assembling Biomass from Rangeland Encroaching Eastern Redcedar Trees for Industrial Use

Abstract

On the Ground • Eastern redcedar trees have encroached on Great Plains grasslands and are spreading at a glacial pace, reducing forage production, destroying native ecosystems, and producing human health harming allergens. • The study was conducted to determine the expected cost to deliver a flow of feedstock to an optimal factory location for a business designed to use eastern redcedar biomass harvested from grasslands. • Proportion of trees available for removal, quantity of feedstock required, harvest costs, and tree growth rate are critical factors. • Assuring investors that a flow of eastern redcedar trees for industrial use would be attainable for 20 years at a reasonable cost may be challenging.