Stem chemical compositions of juvenile Elaeagnus and Alnus species

Abstract

Four-year-old plantation-grown autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) trees were analyzed for gross heat value, ash, alcohol-benzene extractives, hot-water extractives, 1% NaOH extractives, lignin, and pentosan. These plantations were established on marginal land that was not suitable for food production in Illinois. For comparison purpose, lumber from 60-year-old black alder trees was also analyzed. Test results indicated that the planting sites (bottomland vs. upland) factor did not affect the chemical composition of both trees. The main factor, species, was significant in determining various chemical properties. Black alder had higher average alcohol-benzene extractives, 1% NaOH extractives, pentosan, ash, and gross heat content than autumn olive. Autumn olive had higher hot-water extractives, lignin, holocellulose, and alpha-cellulose content than black alder. The commercial alder lumber had less chemical extractives but was higher in alpha-cellulose than the 4-year-old black alder trees. Based on the chemical compositions, these two juvenile, nitrogen-fixing deciduous species could serve as a raw material source for chemical and paper industries, as well as for energy or fuel.Key words: Alnus, chemicals, Elaeagnus, extractives, short-rotation trees, utilization.