Short-rotation Plantations Research Articles

Retention of Matured Trees to Conserve Fungal Diversity and Edible Sporocarps from Short-Rotation Pinus radiata Plantations in Ethiopia.

This study is conducted in the short-rotation plantations from the Afromontane Region of Ethiopia. Sporocarps were sampled weekly in a set of permanent plots (100 m2) in young, medium-aged, and mature Pinus radiata (Don) plantations. Fungal richness, diversity, and sporocarp yields were estimated. Composite soil samples were also collected from each plot to determine explanatory edaphic variables for taxa composition. We collected 92 fungal taxa, of which 8% were ectomycorrhizal (ECM). Taxa richness, the Shannon diversity index, and ECM species richness were higher in mature stands. Interestingly, 26% of taxa were classified as edible. Sporocarp yield showed increasing trends towards matured stands. OM and C/N ratio significantly affected fungal composition and sporocarp production. The deliberate retention of mature trees in a patch form rather than clear felling of the plantations could be useful to conserve and promote fungal diversity and production, including valuable taxa such as Morchella, Suillus, and Tylopilus in older stands. This approach has important implications for forest floor microhabitats, which are important for macrofungal occurrence and production. Thus, this strategy could improve the economic outputs of these plantations in the Afromontane Region, while the mature trees could serve as a bridge for providing fungal inocula to the new plantations.

Early effects of two planting densities on growth dynamics and water-use efficiency in Robinia pseudoacacia (L.) and Populus deltoides (Bartr. ex Marsh.) × P. nigra (L.) short rotation plantations

Black locust is an interesting option for biomass production at sites prone to water shortage because the species combines water-use efficiency and a biomass yield largely superior to that of poplars under the conditions of the study. Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an interesting tree species for woody biomass production. However, its potential for this purpose has been much less studied and characterized than that for species from the Salicaceae family (i.e., poplar and willow). The objective of our study was to evaluate the potential of black locust for biomass production as compared to that of poplar. We estimated biomass production, growth habit, and efficiency of water use of two provenances of black locust (1) compared to those of poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh. × P. nigra L.), (2) at two planting densities, and (3) 2 and 4 years after planting. Black locust had a very different growth habit, much higher biomass production, and larger water-use efficiency than poplar. These differences were exacerbated during the driest year of the experiment. However, black locust responded very badly to harvesting. Black locust was more productive and more efficient in terms of water use than poplar, especially during the driest year of the experiment.

Analysis of tree biomass, net sequestered carbon and bioenergy potency in dry forest ecosystem, Indonesia

This study examines the potential to tree component biomass, biomass for bioenergy product and sequester carbon of forest area. CO2FIX program was used to determine about these value. In order to know about these values, we used CO2FIX program. Thinning harvesting scenarios were analysed, involving the establishment of short rotation harvesting (each 10 years) and long rotation plantations (200 year). As a result, an overall tree biomass components (stem, foliage, branch and root) were respectively recorded as follow: 2.49 ton/ha±0.67, 0.14 ton/ha±0.03, 0.35 ton/ha±0.09 and 0.65 ton/ha±0.18. The potential of biomass for bioenergy product and sequester carbon was increase until the end of project simulation. The increase average biomass of bioenergy was 25.96 Mg/ha±13.46 and the average of net sequestered carbon increase about 16.6±35.9 MgCO2equiv/ha. Our analysis on this study for all research variables is highest at each 40 years period because at this age, the rate of increment in the biomass of the tree is maximized.

Prospects of Sustainable Biomass-Based Power Generation in a Small Island Country

Biomass resources are abundantly present in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) but are mostly used for cooking and crop drying. Only three countries viz. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Samoa use biomass for power generation. This paper aims to (i) quantify the forest logging residue generated in Fiji, (ii) carry out a techno-economic and environmental assessment of a potential 10 MW biomass power plant (BPP) in Fiji and study the impact of feedstock cost (FC) on the electricity production cost (EPC) in relation to the financial viability, and (iii) discuss possible strategies to overcome challenges PICs face in developing biomass energy projects. It is found that a 10 MW BPP would require approximately 60,000 tonnes of biomass feedstock, which can be supplied by forest residue from logging in the western division of Viti Levu in Fiji. If the FC is taken as USD68.6/tonne and electricity export tariff to national grid is taken as USD0.1621/kWh, then the net present value is USD16.1 million, simple payback period is 5.6 years, and the benefit-to-cost ratio is 2.5. A sensitivity analysis reveals that electricity export tariff, availability of power plant, and feedstock costs are critical parameters affecting the NPV of the project. Various strategies such as utilising forest residues, planting short-rotation plantations in unused land, enabling policies, early stakeholder engagement, attractive electricity export tariff, and using appropriate harvesting and transportation technologies can help develop the biomass-based power sector in Fiji.

GENUS PAULOWNIA: VERSATILE WOODSPECIES WITH MULTIPLE USES - A REVIEW

Short-rotation plantations for wood biomass production are systems in which different, fast-growing forest species are grown in intensive agricultural technologies to achieve high biomass yields. The genus paulownia comprises very fast-growing tree species, mainly used in biomass production for energy purposes, but not only. The biomass produced by this plant is used in its entirety; as heating material, industrial, ecological and decorative wood, protection of soil erosion, phytoremediation of polluted soils, air purification, animal feed, pharmaceutical industry, melifer, etc. Among the most promising applications are the production of biopolymers and bioethanol derived from cellulose. The proper cultivation and use of paulownia species contribute to maintaining ecological balance and nature conservation. The main objective of the paper was to carry out a careful and detailed analysis of the specific scientific literature describing their main characteristics and practical applicability to the different species of the genus Paulownia. The paper also examines the importance of cultivating paulownia species under conditions of economic viability while ensuring the maintenance of biodiversity and the protection of ecosystems.

Aboveground Biomass Estimation in Short Rotation Forest Plantations in Northern Greece Using ESA’s Sentinel Medium-High Resolution Multispectral and Radar Imaging Missions

Plantations of fast-growing forest species such as black locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia) can contribute to energy transformation, mitigate industrial pollution, and restore degraded, marginal land. In this study, the synergistic use of Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 time series data is explored for modeling aboveground biomass (AGB) in black locust short-rotation plantations in northeastern Greece. Optimal modeling dates and EO sensor data are also identified through the analysis. Random forest (RF) models were originally developed using monthly Sentinel-2 spectral indices, while, progressively, monthly Sentinel-1 bands were incorporated in the statistical analysis. The highest accuracy was observed for the models generated using Sentinel-2 August composites (R2 = 0.52). The inclusion of Sentinel-1 bands in the spectral indices’ models had a negligible effect on modeling accuracy during the leaf-on period. The correlation and comparative performance of the spectral indices in terms of pairwise correlation with AGB varied among the phenophases of the forest plantations. Overall, the field-measured AGB in the forest plantations plots presented a higher correlation with the optical Sentinel-2 images. The synergy of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data proved to be a non-efficient approach for improving forest biomass RF models throughout the year within the geographical and environmental context of our study.

Indian Timbers for Veneering - A Review

Conservation oriented forest management policies and total ban on commercial logging from natural forest has led the plywood industry in India to a situation of shortage of traditional timber raw material which is used for manufacturing wood based panels. The shortage of raw materials has forced many wood based product mills to operate below their installed production capacities. The wood based industries in India are managing to survive on the availability of timber outside forest, secondary species and other lesser known Indian hardwoods. The industry is dependent on imported timber species to some extent as a source of raw material. Under this circumstance, the study on lesser known Indian hardwoods which can be grown in agro forestry and farm forestry plantation will help in making use of these species for plywood manufacturing and thereby ensuring uninterrupted supply of raw materials for production of plywood and other wood based panels. Keeping this in view, a series of studies has been carried out at Indian Plywood Industries Research and Training Institute (IPIRTI) to investigate the suitability of secondary species of timbers or lesser known Indian hardwoods especially the short rotation plantation grown timbers for the manufacture of plywood. This is a compilation of the outcome of such studies carried out at IPIRTI.

Use of Optimization Modeling to Assess the Effect of Timber and Carbon Pricing on Harvest Scheduling, Carbon Sequestration, and Net Present Value of Eucalyptus Plantations

Quantifying the impact of carbon (C) and timber prices on harvest scheduling and economic returns is essential to define strategies for the sustainable management of short-rotation plantations so that they can provide timber products and contribute to C sequestration. In this paper, we present a mixed-integer linear programming model that optimizes harvest scheduling at the forest level, C sequestration, and Net Present Value (NPV) over a planning period of up to 15 years. The model included revenue from the sale of timber (pulplogs) and credits from the net C sequestered during the life of the stands. In addition, plantation establishment, management, harvesting, and transportation costs were included in the analysis. The study area comprised 88 Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill and Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden stands located in Uruguay, totaling a forest area of nearly 1882 ha. The study investigated the impact of C and timber prices on NPV, harvest schedules, stands’ harvest age, timber flows to customers, and C sequestered per period. The maximum NPV among all the scenarios evaluated (USD 7.53 M) was calculated for a C price of 30 USD t−1, an interest rate of 6%, and a timber price of 75 USD m−3. This was USD 2.14 M higher than the scenario with the same parameters but that included only revenue from timber. C prices also impacted stands’ harvest age, C sequestration, and timber flows delivered to end customers. On average, in scenarios that included C prices, timber flows and C sequestration increased by 15.4 and 12.1%, respectively, when C price increased from 5 to 30 USD t−1. These results demonstrate that harvest scheduling, harvest age, and NPV are very sensitive to C and timber, and that the best economic returns are obtained when the stands are managed to maximize timber production and C sequestration.

Economic Modelling of Poplar Short Rotation Coppice Plantations in Hungary

No study has been previously completed on the range of sites, potential yield, and financial characteristics of poplar short rotation coppice plantations (SRC) in Hungary. This paper conducts a literature survey to reveal the biomass production potential of such plantations and presents a model that is used to analyze their financial performance. The results indicate that the break-even-point of production is between 6 and 8 oven-dry tons per hectare per year once a minimum cost level and wood chip price within a 10% range of the 2020 value are considered. The higher the wood chip price, the lower the break-even-point. Since the model excluded the administrative costs that depend on the type and size of the management organization, the break-even-points can be significantly higher in reality, which suggests that short rotation energy plantations can be a financially reasonable land-use option in above average or even superior poplar-growing sites. The rotation period of industrial poplar plantations that produce high quality veneer logs ranges from 12 to 25 years. Though such sites can provide higher returns on investment, short rotation plantations have the advantage of providing a more evenly distributed cash flow. To facilitate the wider application of poplar SRC, the related policies need to apply specific subsidies and allow the rotation cycle to be extended up to 20–25 years, which is currently limited to 15 years.

Methane production from green and woody biomass using short rotation willow genotypes for bioenergy generation

Short rotation plantations of willow genotypes, harvested in vegetative growth phases, were tested as an alternative biomass for methane production. The substrate characteristics, maximal methane yields (K) and highest methane production rates (µmax) were determined. Leaves and stems from diploid Energo (EN) and tetraploid (PP) plants, harvested in June were superior methane sources to woody tissue. This could be related to the lower lignin contents in green willow. Fermentation of pooled biomasses from tetraploid genotypes harvested in June-August was more efficient than methane production from diploid tissues. Microbial community analyses by 16S rRNA genes showed a dominance of the order Clostridiales. In field study, based on Energo plantation, the maximum in green biomass accumulation was in early month 9 of the vegetation period. A theoretical calculation showed similar or better energy potential per unit area for willow than in the case of maize silage. This study encourages the use of green willow biomass as feedstock in biomethanation processes due to its relatively low production costs and uncomplicated agricultural practice.

Quantitative evaluation of microwave irradiation on short-rotation plantation wood species

The durability of imported timber is a matter of growing concern in the tropical Indian climate, with their refractory nature further adding to the woes with respect to further processing. In the present study, the effect of microwave pre-treatment, exposure time and initial wood moisture content on retention, treatability and cross-sectional anatomical properties of Tectona grandis and Southern yellow pine imported from Ghana and South America were evaluated. Water based preservative copper chrome borate (CCB) of 2 % concentration was used for the study. The experimental study in combination with dip-diffusion method returned with significant improvement in retention of about 5-6 folds more than the control sets in Southern yellow pine and Tectona grandis. Another set of Southern yellow pine and Tectona grandis samples were further treated using a full cell pressure method after microwave, without initial vacuum, which showed similar trends with 3-4 folds increase in retention over controls. Both experiments returned with significant improvement in the treatability class of Tectona grandis and Southern yellow pine. Anatomical analysis was performed using a light microscope with 5 and 10x magnifications on treated and untreated samples of both Tectona grandis and Southern yellow pine. The outcome of the anatomical study exhibited improvement in vessel diameters in the treated samples of Tectona grandis with reduction in the degree of occlusion by presence of tyloses. For Southern yellow pine, checks on micro level and cracks on macro level appeared along the ray cells and the diameter of the resin canals were substantially expanded which ascertains that microwave pre-treatment ameliorated the flow of fluids in the wood microstructure which improved permeability and resulted in better uptake and penetration

Farmers\u2019 Willingness to Adopt Short Rotation Plantations on Marginal Lands: Qualitative Study About Incentives and Barriers in Slovakia

Short rotation plantations (SRP), also called short rotation coppice, can contribute to bioeconomy by satisfying the rising demand for wood raw material while strengthening the rural economy. However, farmers all over Europe show limited adoption of SRP. Marginal lands are considered a promising option for producing SRP biomass and avoiding conflicts with food production. This study focuses on the Malacky region in Western Slovakia because of suitable land quality and a board production site close by providing a significant local market for the produced biomass. Qualitative interviews in 2018 explored personal and situational factors that influenced local farmers’ (N = 19) willingness to adopt SRP. Slovakia’s land fragmentation in combination with the required landowner’s consent, competition with food production, and lack of identification with SRP were identified as prominent barriers. The economic benefit from using low quality lands and environmental benefits from SRP were identified incentives. Moreover, the study found agricultural cooperatives more open to SRP than agricultural business companies, as they are more interested in the economic benefits and prefer agricultural activity over fallow land. Because the study identified conflicting views about the possible impacts of SRP on the environment and the rural community, it is considered crucial to provide farmers with science-based facts on these issues. This aspect should also be acknowledged to increase acceptance of stakeholders, such as land owners, governmental actors, and the general public, which is needed to develop measures to encourage SRP.

Solid wood property variations in early-age Acacia plantation trees grown in southern Vietnam

A high demand for woodchips has encouraged smallholder farmers in Vietnam to invest in short-rotation Acacia plantations to produce pulpwood that has a relatively quick, though often low, income return. Because of an expanding export furniture industry, the Vietnam Government has sought to increase sawlog production and, at the same time, improve returns to smallholder farmers. However, currently the quality and therefore market value of the timber from acacias under differing management strategies has not been well quantified. Acacia auriculiformis, both in its pure form and its hybrid with A. mangium (Acacia hybrid) are grown in plantations in Vietnam to produce merchantable timber, though the inferior mechanical properties of juvenile wood at an early age has impeded access to higher-value product markets. However, with thinning, there may be improvements in wood properties that could enhance sawlog values. This study examined how the wood properties of plantation grown Acacia hybrid change with stand age, explored differences in wood properties between Acacia hybrid and A. auriculiformis following different thinning treatments, and determined which of the two species is the most favourable for solid wood products. The potential to supply logs to produce sliced veneer for the furniture industry was also investigated. Logs from A. hybrid trees aged eight years could be processed to manufacture structural products, and at age five years for manufacturing utility furniture. Acacia auriculiformis thinned to 833 stems per hectare at age 4 years had mechanical wood properties indicating a potential for durable flooring products that can command a high value in the market. Because of dead knots, most sliced veneer samples were not acceptable for face veneer, though visual assessments indicated that with pruning, an attractive high-value product could potentially be produced. Tree species rather than age or thinning treatment had the most influence on wood properties.

Multi-tree cut-to-length harvesting of short-rotation poplar plantations

Small tree size represents the main challenge when designing a cost-effective harvesting system for European short-rotation plantations. This challenge is further complicated by the need to obtain 4-m logs for high-end products, which rules out the possibility of deploying whole-tree chipping. Both challenges can be met through mass or multi-tree handling (MTH), which must begin at the time of felling and continue uninterrupted along the whole supply chain. The objective was to: (1) gauge the productivity and the cost of CTL harvesting applied to these plantations; (2) assess log yield and capacity to match dimensional specifications; (3) determine if MTH applied to CTL technology offers a real benefit compared with conventional single-tree handling. The authors conducted a time study using a block design with a two-machine cut-to-length harvesting system (i.e. harvester and forwarder) in single- and multi-tree handling operations on the clear cutting of a hybrid poplar plantation in Poland, as well as we manually measured the produced volumes of the study. Higher productivity (+ 8%) was achieved under the multi-stem handling mode. The MTH system proved capable of containing harvesting costs below € 15 per green ton, while fulfilling set timber quality requirements in terms of value recovery and log quality specifications. A new, software-based, MTH system is recommended to be used in short-rotation poplar plantation for logs and biomass harvesting. When the coppicing season is over, the system can be deployed for the conventional thinning operations.

Multi-criteria analysis to compare multiple risks associated with management alternatives in planted forests

Aim of study: Adaptation of silviculture in planted forest may help to mitigate damage due to biotic and abiotic hazards. However, compromises have to be found because it is not possible to minimize the risk from all hazards through application of a single forest management approach. The objective of this study was to improve a multi-criteria risk analysis (MCRA) method that makes it possible to rank forest management alternatives (FMAs) according to multiple risks. Material and Methods: We defined eight FMAs for maritime pine forests in France, Spain and Portugal. We used as the definition of risk the combination of hazard, susceptibility and exposure. Hazard level was estimated using archive data on occurrence and severity of damaging agents over the last few decades. Forest susceptibility to hazards was evaluated by experts who scored the effect on stand resistance of eleven silvicultural operations characterizing each FMA. Exposure was estimated as value at stake, which combined forest standing volume, simulated with forest growth models, and wood prices. Main Results: Using the PROMETHEE algorithm, we found that the overall ranking of FMAs was consistent across all countries, with short rotation plantations to produce pulpwood or energy wood were the least at risk. The ranking was mainly driven by forest values at stake. We found that by improving the accuracy of forest values exposed to damage, based on growth models and representative wood prices, the MCRA outcomes were more useful and realistic. Research highlights: Our methodology provides a relevant framework to design FMAs that would minimize risks while maintaining income. Keywords: Pinus pinaster; vulnerability; hazards; growth modelling; expert assessment; wood price; southwestern Europe.

Functional traits of individual varieties as determinants of growth and nitrogen use patterns in mixed stands of willow (Salix spp.)

Short rotation plantations of willows (Salix spp.) have high biomass production potential in many parts of the world, and may frequently support ecosystem services related to nutrient cycling. A plantation management enhancing favorable environmental impacts that are conducive to maintaining ecosystem services is a main challenge in establishing sustainable biomass production systems. There is evidence supporting the hypothesis that biomass production and nutrient cycling can be increased by supporting ecosystem niche differentiation (complementarity) through enhancing the number of plant species or varieties grown in the stand. However, the specific trait values of the individual components (e.g., varieties) in a mixed community could also be more important than the community diversity per se. We assessed, at community level, the plant trait profiles related to growth and nitrogen (N) use for four different Salix varieties that were taxonomically distinct at species or genotype level (‘Björn’, ‘Jorr’, ‘Loden’, ‘Tora’) and field-grown in unfertilized plots of pure and mixed communities during one cutting cycle in Central Sweden. The aims were to use elements of functional growth analysis for exploring the mechanistic relationships between various traits related to growth and N use at stand level in our pure and mixed willow communities; and to address two hypotheses related to (i) the effect of diversity level on above-ground traits linked to growth, N uptake efficiency, N productivity and N conservation; and (ii) the influence of individual variety identities on the growth and N use traits observed in a mixture. Diversity level had no significant effect on the traits assessed here, and we thus found no evidence in support of our hypothesis that traits linked to growth, N uptake and use are significantly affected by the diversity level per se. In most but not all cases, the admixing effects on trait values were explained by the effects of the individual variety characteristics assessed in monocultures in combination with their relative share in the respective mixtures. The absence or presence of individual varieties strongly affected community-averaged (stand level) trait values. Therefore, the design of desirable variety mixtures is suggested that combine, for example, the high nutrient conversion efficiency that certain varieties achieve in mixed stands with the specific nutrient acquisition characteristics of other varieties.

Eucalypt harvest residue management influences microbial community structure and soil organic matter fractions in an afforested grassland

Retaining harvest residues (HR) in the field is considered an option to recycle carbon (C) and nutrients in short-rotation plantations, but the fate of HR in the soil remains unclear. The effects of HR management and nitrogen (N) availability on soil organic matter (SOM) pools and microbial community structure of forest plantations represent a major knowledge gap. To fill this gap, we explored how management scenarios that differed in the amount and type of HR [removal of all residues (-R), residue retention without (+R/-B), or with bark (+R/+B)] and N availability [0 (-N) or 200 kg N ha-1 (+N)] influenced microbial activity and structure and SOM fractions in a recently afforested grassland. Specifically, we measured HR decomposition, carbon dioxide efflux (respired CO2), phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), and determined changes in particulate (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) over 12 months using differences in δ13C natural abundance between Eucalyptus HR and grassland soils (δ13C ∼-28 ‰ and -13 ‰, respectively). Microbial respiration was stimulated by HR retention (+R). Bark retention reduced HR half-life by ∼70 days, on average, while N had little influence. Bacterial groups (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) were the primary decomposer of eucalypt HR, while Actinobacteria used more of the former soil organic carbon (SOC). +R/+B increased fungal biomarker PLFA concentration and fungal:bacterial ratio, suggesting a key role of Fungi in the fragmentation of woody HR. N influence on microbial community structure and SOM pools was dependent upon HR management. Retaining HR increased SOC concentrations, most significantly in the 0–1 cm soil depth and POM fraction, and when bark was included. +R/+B resulted in higher POM-C concentrations (up to +37%) and more depleted δ13C-POM compared with -R and +R/-B, respectively. Collectively, our results suggest it is feasible to increase POM-C and fungal abundance through HR management practices in the early stages of decomposition, which may potentially contribute to SOC stabilization in the long-term. Yet our findings remain to be tested in long-term studies, we provide quantitative evidence of the potential of a more conservative HR management to contribute to the sustainability of eucalypt plantations.

The effect of cutting technique on the mortality and resprouting vigor of poplar stumps in short-rotation plantations

Mechanical felling is the most cost-effective solution for harvesting short-rotation poplar plantations, but the damage inflicted by conventional shear-cutting devices on tree stumps has raised concerns about stump mortality and resprouting vigor, both of which are crucial to coppice regeneration. To determine whether such concerns are justified, this experiment monitored the survival and resprouting vigor of 11 sample blocks composed of two 10-stump row segments that were cut according to one of two methods: (1) a chainsaw or (2) an excavator-mounted shear. The sample blocks were located within the same plantation, established 7 years earlier with hybrid poplars (Populus nigra × Populus deltoides) belonging to the AF8 clone. One year after cutting, no differences were found between treatments in terms of stump mortality, number of shoots per stump, shoot diameter at 30 cm from the insertion, or shoot height. These results support the use of mechanical shears to fell short-rotation poplar coppice. However, further studies should be conducted on multiple fields and clones in order to safely generalize these preliminary findings.

The effect of cutting tool on the mortality and re-sprouting vigor of poplar stumps in short-rotation plantations

The effect of cutting tool on the mortality and re-sprouting vigor of poplar stumps in short-rotation plantations

Evaluation of poplar and willow clones on the experimental short rotation plantation in Kharkiv region: results of the second cultivation year

Purpose. To estimate the growth performance of poplar and willows clones on the 2nd vegetation year at short rotation plantation in the Kharkiv region, and to identify the most perspective clones for the establishing of bioenergy plantations.Methods. The growth characteristics of 2-year-old poplars (10 clones) and willows (3 clones) were analyzed on experimental plot established in 2014 due to common practice, with stem cuttings 20–25 cm long and 0.8–1.2 cm in diameter. During the analysis performed in October, diameter and height of the shoots were measured and the quantity of plants with 1, 2, and ≤ 3 shoots per plant was determined.Results. The investigations revealed significant interclonal variation in estimated growth parameters on the second vegetation year. The poplar clones ‘Huliver’, ‘Strilopodibna’, ‘Rohanska’, ‘Slava Ukrainy’ and willow clone ‘Pryberezhna’ demonstrated high growth rates. The shoot height of poplars ‘Rohanska’ and ‘Slava Ukrainy’ were 30% and 42% respectively, higher than average rates after two years of cultivation. The clones of poplars ‘Huliver’, ‘Strilopodibna’, and clone of willow ‘Pryberezhna’ had the largest diameters exceeded the average rates more than 20%. Poplars ‘Constanta’, ‘Lvivska’ and ‘Noctiurn’ demonstrated low growth. By the sprouting capacity the clones were divided into two groups: with a high level of sprouting capacity increasing significantly during the second growing season (‘Huliver’, ‘Rohanska’, ‘Druzhba’); and with low sprouting capacity within both vegetation seasons (‘Constanta’, ‘Noctiurn’ and ‘Lvivska’). In general, a comparison of the averaged growth parameters of poplars and willows revealed that the willows prevailed the poplars in height, but no significant differences in diameter and sprouting capacity were observed.Conclusions. The poplars ‘Huliver’, ‘Strilopo­dibna’, ‘Rohanska’, ‘Slava Ukrainy’ and the willow ‘Pryberezhna’ demonstrated high growth values, and poplar clones ‘Huliver’, ‘Rohanska’ and ‘Druzhba’ showed a high level of sprouting capacity. During the two growing seasons the clones of poplars ‘Constanta’, ‘Lvivska’ and ‘Noctiurn’ showed low growth rates and sprouting capacity. The results of experiments could be taken into account when establishing short-rotation plantations of bioenergy trees, in particular on plots without artificial irrigation.