[Stoves] [biochar] Capturing carbon in the timber industry

[Kevin]

Dear John

Leaving the tops, limbs, and stump on site after harvesting is probably a good thing, especially if the slash is driven over by the harvesting machinery. Crushing it down helps it to return organic matter to the soil, and minimize the fire hazard if it is allowed to dry without contact with the ground.

Something like 90% of the nutrients in a tree are in the branches and leaves or needles, and it is a big mistake to remove them from the site. It can lead to rapid nutrient depletion. Removing the stumps for their biomass loosens the ground excessively, and can aggravate possible erosion problems. 

"Natural" stands, in contrast to plantations, invariably have a range of tree species, some of which have commercial value, and some of which don't. It makes sense to harvest the "unmerchantable stems" for fuel or charcoaling purposes. However, leaving the tops, limbs,  leaves/needles and stumps seems to be a good step toward sustainable forest management.

Best wishes,

Kevin Chisholm

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Nissen 
  To: biochar at yahoogroups.com 
  Cc: Ron Larson ; Biochar-production ; Discussion biomass ; Ron Larson 
  Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 6:21 PM
  Subject: [biochar] Capturing carbon in the timber industry


    

  Hi all,

  I've just had a month's holiday in New Zealand, where forestry is big 
  business, and was horrified by the way they apparently left wood debris 
  on the ground after taking the timber away. They also left stumps in 
  the ground to rot away. Has any thought been given into capturing the 
  carbon left after the timber is removed? It must be a major source of 
  CO2 and methane.

  Cheers,

  John



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