The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Renewables => Topic started by: oldwolf on December 14, 2015, 10:19:45 am

Title: Coppiced Willow
Post by: oldwolf on December 14, 2015, 10:19:45 am

Is there a calculus to work out how many acres of willow I would need to plant to coppice after three years for wood pelleting to run one aga/rayburn stove with back boiler etc.
Is anyone doing this?

Title: Re: Coppiced Willow
Post by: sss on December 14, 2015, 12:33:04 pm

I can't comment on how accurate the Web page is, but some info here
http://www.thewillowbank.com/willow-for-sale/firewood-info-page/ (http://www.thewillowbank.com/willow-for-sale/firewood-info-page/)

Title: Re: Coppiced Willow
Post by: chrismahon on December 14, 2015, 01:56:54 pm

That's an interesting web site SSS. Does pellet wood need seasoning? The trees need planting a year apart as well I think? I'm reluctant to accept the claimed heat value of 4000Kw per ton. Seasoned and fully dried hardwood won't give that, so I think 3000Kwh is more likely the maximum. Our little place consumes nearly 10,000Kwh a year so perhaps aim for 4 tons minimum Oldwolf?