Using short-rotation, intensively managed hardwood plantations as ‘green’ inventory for southeastern U.S. pulp mills

As a routine wood source for a pulp mill, recent studies have shown that intensively managed, short-rotation hardwood plantations are not cost effective. The objective of this study was to determine if these plantations may be cost effective as “green” inventory, replacing some portion of high cost remote woodyard inventory. Three southeastern U.S. pulp mills were used as case studies in a net present value analysis. Short-rotation hardwood plantations of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) were simulated to replace a portion of remote woodyard inventory, with wood delivered to a pulp mill from this “green” inventory only when pulp mill inventory levels became critical. If this “green” inventory is not used, these plantations continue to grow until needed. With current yield from an experimental fiber farm, short-rotation plantations were not cost effective as “green” inventory. However, if yield could be increased approximately 33% through either genetic or cultural improvements, all three pulp mills could have reduced overall wood cost by establishing a fiber farm. Application: This study demonstrates some of the potential benefits and limitations of short-rotation hardwood plantations as a fiber source.