Some Key Issues Concerning Current Poplar Production and Future Marketing in the United Kingdom

Abstract

This paper presents survey evidence concerning the UK poplar (Populus spp.) plantation with particular emphasis applied to production systems, markets, and trends. Our results are based on primary data and information that were sourced from a survey of poplar growers in summer 2000. The results show a growing interest in planting poplars throughout the 1990s. Between 1989 and 1998, poplar plantations were established mainly on land previously used for arable purposes and pastureland, and to a lesser extent, on other lands. Growers perceive that a robust value-added market for poplar products may be developed providing poplar cultivars are properly managed. The most common interamericana clones planted are the varieties Beaupre and Boelare. Specifically, plantation sites are currently using the polyclonal system and are growing on sites that have a diversity (mixture) of other forest species. Loss of resistance to disease organisms (e.g., rust fungi of the genus Melampsora) appears to be one of the main current threats to successful poplar exploitation.