HOW TO grow your own Firewood

Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Publication 21484 CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION 1

PLANNING AND PREPARATION Deciding to Be a Tree Farmer ; 2 How Much to Plant 2 Choosing a Growing Site 3 Deciding Which Species to Plant 3 Deciding Tree Spacing 4 Site Definitions 5 Management Intensity Definitions 5

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Site Preparation before Planting 6 Plant Quality Stock 6 When and How toPlant 6 Weed Control 7 Irrigation 7 Fertilizing 7 Fire Protection 8 Pest Control 8

YIELD AND HARVEST CONSIDERATIONS Tree Growth and Yield 8 When to Harvest 10 How to Harvest 10 Resprouting from Stumps 10

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS Alternative Management Regimes 11 Establishment Costs 11 Costs per Cord 12 The Bottom Une 14

CONCLUSION 14

REFERENCES 16 HOW TO Grow Your Own Firewood

The authors are Dean R. Donaldson, Extension county director, Napa County; Richard B. Standiford, Extension Forester, UC Berkeley, and Karen Klonsky, Extension area specialist, UC Davis.

INTRODUCTION

Increased cost of petroleum fuels and concern for the environment have generated strong Interest In planting trees, particularly eucalyp tus, to produce firewood in California. Their rapid growth and high wood density make eucalyptus a promising renewable energy source. Many spedes grow in the same climate and soils required by the oak species native to California. The introduction of eucalyptus InCalifornia in about 1860, from seeds brought from Australia, led to a boom in large field plantings around 1900, partly because growers expected faster tree growth than actually occurred. Difficulty in processing the large plantings of that time (mainly blue gum or Eucalyptus globulus) into wood products and diminished expectations about potential tree growth, gained from ac tual measurements of growth, resulted in a gradual decline in eucalyp tus plantations. The mistakes made in these early plantings need not be repeated today. This publication, incorporating the latest experience from Uni versity of California field trials, is intended to guide those interested in planting trees (particularly eucalyptus) for firewood production. While its focus is on small farm production of split cordwood for fireplaces and woodstoves, the basic principles discussed also apply to large com mercial plantings. Use this publication to help you make decisions before you plant and as a sourceof information on obtaining maximum tree growth. planting, and the irrigation system demand lots PLANNING AND PREPARATION of money the first year. Compare costs of pro duction to potential income or the cost of an equal amount of purchased fuel before you be Deciding to Be a Tree Farmer gin. Success in this long-term commitment is Farming fuelwood is similar to fanning fruit based: one third on planning, one third on re trees or grapevines, except that wood is the mar sources, and one third on husbandry. Before you ketable product. Wood for fuel may be obtained start, answer these questions: from relatively small-diameter trees that are a. Why are you considering growing trees? Is planted at high densities to give rapid canopy it for fun—as a hobby, or is an income necessary? cover and high yields when irrigated and fertil Do you just want a few, fast-growing shade trees? ized. The tree farming described here has little in Is this a one-time harvest project, or do youwant common with traditional forestry which har sustained yields? What would make you quit the vests trees at 40- to 80-year intervals. Harvests in project? fuelwood plantations are usually every 5 to 10 years (depending on tree growth and the desired b. What experience do you have? What sup processing size). At least three harvests can be port can you expect from family and friends? obtained from resprouting species before trees Have you seriously discussed this idea with are replanted. them? Have you farmed before? Can you operate the equipment and make operations and pest Table 1 shows the range of costs Incurred in management decisions? What professional skills growing firewood trees, including a great deal of must you hire? front-end capital in the first 3 years. c. What resources are you willing to commit to growing trees? Time, labor, land and money How Much to Plant are required. Trees needtime to grow—expect to harvest 5 to 10 years after planting. Husbandry The amount of space you will need for plant chores also take time throughout the growing ing will be determined by how Intensively you period. And, the more intensively trees are plan to grow the trees. The absolute maximum grown, the more time is required to manage tree growth with unlimited water and fertiliza them. Labor is required, especially at planting tion at optimum spacing should produce about and at harvest. Who will do the physical labor? 18 usable cords of wood per acre per year. This Is Will you be capable, or will you need help? Can rarely achieved in practical situations, however. you count on others to help you several years Most intensively managed plantings on typical from now? If you plan to hire someone, Is that California sites will probably average from 8 to service available in the vicinity of your property? 10 usable cords of wood per acre per year IF the Who will cut, split, stack, and move your fire trees are harvested when all trunks average 6 wood (it is heavy)? Land is required; besides the inches in diameter. Thus an annual sustained growing space, where will the trees fall when you yield of 2 cords of firewood could theoretically cut them down?Where will you split and stack be expected if 1/4 acre was devoted to firewood the wood to dry? Money is required; young trees, protection. If you are counting on rainfall alone

TABLE 1. Range of costs expected for firewood plantations to raise the trees, double or triple the estimate of Find out the lowest temperature known at time required before harvest and reduce the your selected planting site and learn how fre expected yield per acre. quently it occurs. This will have an influence on Below is an example of how to determine, which fuelwood species will grow best at that roughly, the number of trees to plant each year site. to produce the firewood you need. (1) You need 2 cords per year to heat your Deciding Which Species to Plant home. Literally hundreds of species and hybrids of (2) Assuming your trees will grow at a rate eucalyptus and Casurina grow in their native just above average (you'll water and fertilize), the range on the Australian continent and on closely trees will produce 10 cords per acre per year, or adjacent islands. Australia, the size of mainland 50 cords in 5 years. United States, has a wide diversity of climates (3) To get the 2 cords you need each year, and soils where these species naturally exist, re you will harvest 2/50 acres of trees each year. sulting in much within-spedes genetic diversity. (4) If you plant about 1,200 trees per acre, Poplar has a similar widespread range through you need to harvest 2/50 times 1,200 trees each outthe world. When choosing seed, ask your year or 48 trees. commercial nursery to closely match climatic conditions and latitude of the native seed zone (5) Now, add 25 percent forlosses (12 trees). with the characteristics of the potential planting The result: You must plant 60 trees per year. site. (6) Therefore, you must plant 60/1,200 or Considerable attention has been paid to se 1/20 acre of trees per year. lection of species seed sources for field study. Of note are E. globulus from the Barnback prove nance and E. camaldulensis from the Lake Alba- Choosing a Growing Site cutya region of Australia. These seed sources The best tree growth occurs on sites with have been the most consistently high yielding to deep, well-drained loam soils with adequate root date. Trees of E. camaldulensis (Lake Albacutya) moisture and fertilizer all year. Select a spot suit have been available from the California Depart able for a group of trees 70 to 90 feet tall at har ment of Forestry and Fire Protection Nursery at vest. Irrigation water should be available on the Davis in February and March for the past several site: a water source yielding a minimum of 5 gal years. lons per minute is required to irrigate 1 acre. Limited data areavailable on performance of Restricted soil conditions reduce tree growth. seedling plantations in California. Plantations of Fuelwood trees need at least 3 feet of soil but tol seedling trees vary greatly, with a high percent erate a wide range of soil conditions. Land that is age of runts and deformed trees. These slow- flat or with gentle slopes facing north or east is growing trees reduce production efficiency and preferred, as natural soil moisture is higher on overall yields. these sites than on sunny south- or west-facing Cloned tree plantations have produced slopes. Avoid slopes greater than 30 percent because of safety hazards and increased costs at roughly 30 percent higher growth compared harvest time. with seedling plantations of the same species in field trials. The more rapid, uniform growth and Study the site to assess probable pests that desired tree form make the cloned tree planta could devour your trees. Deer fencing or protec tion highly desirable. However, because of less tion from rabbits may be required. Ask the neigh genetic diversity, plantations of clones may be bors and look for signs of other pests. Transport more vulnerable to environmental stresses than ing wood is a major cost. Thus, your woodlot seedlings. Clones off. camaldulensis and E. gran- shouldbe located within 20 miles of the final dis with excellent form and rapid growth charac destination. Access roads should accommodate teristics offer the best potential for profitable large, heavily loaded trucks. firewood plantations. One E. camaldulensis clone (C-2) is available in limited quantity on special CHOOSING A GROWING SITE order from a few nurseries. Clones of E. grandis o EASY ACCESS will be released next. Because of rooting difficul o SOIL DEPTH AT LEAST 3 FEET ties, donal material may cost more, but the trees are more uniform thanfrom any seed source that o NEAR HOME have been tested for yield. Availability of donal o MILD CLIMATE materials should increase in the future as re- 0 WATER AVAILABLE TABLE 2. General characteristics and guide to species selection

S = tolerates salinity F = tolerates flooding search selection for cold tolerance, growth, form, field trials. For areas with minimum tempera and high yield continues. Not all species are tures below 20° F, or for higher elevation plant available as clones. ings, the most promising cold-tolerant eucalyp Plant several species to see which will per tus spedes are: E. viminalis (manna gum), E. dal- form the best on your site. A mixture of species rympleana (mountain gum), and £. gunii (dder will best resist pests and environmental stresses. gum). As above, several other spedes occasion Plant all of one species asa block or clump to ally have produced high yields, but have not account for the different growth characteristics proven as consistent in California field trials. of various species. This will also allow you to get French hybrid eucalyptus look good, but are not a better idea of what a larger planting would be readily available. Hybrid poplar have also per like. formed well in colder sites in California. Table 2 summarizes the qualities and adapta bility of fuelwood species commonly planted in Deciding Tree Spacing California. Native oak spedes are not included, because they grow so slowly compared with in Tree spadng determines the allocation of the troduced species. Plant species listed intable 2 as site's resources such as water, nutrients, and sun an alternative to harvesting native hardwood light to the individual trees. In projecting spac species. ing, consider the quality of the growing site, the tree spedes to be planted, and the intensity of Use table 2 to select species adapted to your management, Including fertilization and irriga area. Note that minimum temperatures and rain tion. In addition, to accommodate the equip fall are key considerations for most localities. If ment to be used, allow adequate access between spedal (salt or flooding) conditions exist, refer to tree rows. table 2 for California experience with listed spe des. Other spedes may also be adapted. Expect Factors favoring close spacing: A deep root reduced growth under salty or flooded condi zone; plenty of high quality irrigation water; di tions, or if soil depth or water is limited. rect sunlight all day; frequent fertilization; and no competition from weeds or other crops. For areas with minimum temperatures gen erally above 20° F, the best spedes tested are: E. Factors favoring wider spacing: Soils shal grandis (flooded gum) and E. camaldulensis (river low (less than 3 feet in root zone) with poor red gum). Approximately a dozen other eucalyp drainage or constricted layers; limited or no irri tus spedes have occasionally produced tested gation; shadows or shade during part of the day; high yields, but have not proved as consistent in no fertilization; and competing vegetation. Figure 1 shows the relationship between the High-intensity: Drip Irrigation to all age growing space per tree, the quality of the grow trees providing 80 to 100 percent ET demand. ing site, and management intensity. Use the defi Fertilized per soil analysis including at least 300 nitions given to Interpret this figure. pounds or N through drip system during grow ing season. From this figure, growing space per tree on a Site Definitions good growing site with high care shouldbe Excellent site: Soil depth more than 4 feet, about 25 square feet which is a 5-foot by 5-foot well drained loam soil, 25-plus inches of rain per spacing. On a poor quality site with low care, year. growing space per tree should be at least 144 square feet (12-foot by 12-foot spacing). To trans Good site: Soil depth at least 3 feet, with late the growing space per tree into trees per acre, some layering or textural changes over site. Rain divide 43,560 (the number ofsquare feet in an fall at least 20 inches per year. acre) by the total square feet per tree. When or Poor site: Soil depth less than 3 feet, subject dering trees, consider the areas that will be occu to high water table, salts or drought. Rainfall less pied by roads, etc., and do not consider them in than 15 inches. your planting acreage.

Management Intensity Definitions Example: Low-intensity: No water or fertilizer pro 5' x 51 = 25 square feet per tree vided, or provided the first season only. Some 43,560/ 25 = 1,742 trees per acre weeds present. 2 acres to be planted: 2 x 1,742 = 3,485 trees Medium-intensity: Water provided to seed lings and to older trees to meet at least 2/3 Add 10 percent; order 3,833 trees. evapotranspiration (ET) demand. Fertilized several times during growing season to a mini mum total of 100 pounds of nitrogen (N) per year.

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

-Poor Site tree

to

Management Intensity

FIGURE 1. Growing space per tree varies with site quality and management intensity. equipment. For example: 3-1/2 feet by 10 feet (35 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES square feet per tree) instead of 6 by 6 feet (36 square feet per tree).

Site Preparation before Planting Plant Quality Stock "Asthe twig is bent, so grows the tree." That old saying is still true. With good site prepara Plant seedling eucalyptus 6 to 10 inches high tion, your trees will have the best opportunity to or when they have six to eight true leaves. The grow because competing vegetation has been most successful seedlings are those grown in eliminated and the soil has been prepared to al nursery liners or small forestry-type containers low easy root development. (1/2 to 1 inch in diameter and 6 to 10 inches long). These have well-developed roots so essen Develop an over-all field plan showing tial to high survival. Avoid using large eucalyp roads, drains, and areas to be planted.Indicate tus in 1-gallon containers because they are ex where firewood splitting and stacking will occur. pensive and more likely to have a defective root If you are developing a large area, consult with system, such as circled or kinked roots. the Soil Conservation Service or with a regis tered professional forester who will ascertain Most seedlings have been grown under that your plans will protect the environment greenhouse conditions and must be hardened off and will meet all conservation guidelines. before planting. Gradually expose them to the climate at the planting site for approximately a Once you have acquired a site for planting, week before planting. immediately prepare for the trees. The summer and fall before planting remove all existing vege Seedlings often form globelike swollen areas tation, Including brush and perennial grasses. at the base of the trunk; these are normal and do Smooth the site to make operating equipment not indicate a defect. Plants with root and trunk safe at planting and harvest. defects break off or fail to develop adequate roots. Check seedling quality before purchasing In areas where root growth is inhibited due because field experience indicates that stunted to soil compaction, hard pan, or rocks, ripping seedlings produce small trees. may benefit tree growth. Hire a tractor to deep rip the root zone to 30 or 36 inches. Rip the soil Order seedlings 6 months before planting. cross slope to minimize erosion hazards. After Remember to order 10 percent more than you ripping, disk and dragthe soil surface to provide will actually plant sothat you can cull poorly a smooth, safe field for planting. Consider plant formed or runt trees. Trees cost 15 to 70 cents ing an annual grass to prevent erosion after rip each, so quality control is a small percentage of ping and disking, if they are done in the fall. the total cost of the operation. Next, install your irrigation system. Be sure your pump or supply will deliver enough water When and How to Plant to satisfy the needs of the area you plant. Con sider providing outlets for the local fire protec In general, plant your trees after the danger tion district to supply them in case of wildfire. of frost is past in spring before the soil dries out Your local fire chief can assist you with the de and high temperatures set in. This is about the tails. Test the system before you take delivery of time corn is planted. When irrigation water is the trees. available, trees can be planted anytime through early summer, provided trees do not become Finally, just before planting, control the stressed for water. Where winter frosts are not weeds one final time. Most people use a contact severe and spring rainsare adequate, it is possible herbicide to help conserve soil moisture. Con to plant eucalyptus in early spring without irriga trol the weeds within a week of planting. A pre- tion. Weigh carefully the survival risks associated plant application of herbicide will leave a mulch with drought, frost, and hot summers against the of dead vegetation which makes an excellent feasibility and cost of irrigation. Late summer planting bed and continues to protect the soil and fall plantings are not as successful. against erosion from wind and rain. Tree spacing is a function of soil depth and Water seedlings before the first hot (over 90°F) days. If you are not irrigating, this is when the water available for growth. As discussed most mortality will occur. Postplanting water above, the deeper the soil and the more water is available, the closer trees can be planted. Many stress accounts for most tree mortality and poor growers prefer a rectangular spacing to other growth during the first year. designs to provide greater access for harvest Seedlings may be hand or machine planted. Plant all of one spedes as a block to account for values are usually printed with local weather in different growth characteristics and for uniform formation. Average ET values for the state are ity at final harvest. Remember, keep seedling also available from your local farm advisor or roots moist at all times and plant in moist soil. from the USDA Soil Conservation Service office. Plant seedlings to the same depth they were Fuelwood trees should receive between 80 to 100 planted at the nursery. For seedling survival, percent ET values (as inches of water applied to eliminate air pockets by firmly pressing soil the soil surface) to maintain rapid growth. Lesser around the roots. For a complete discussion of amounts will result in proportionally less planting procedures, refer to Leaflet 2925, Plant growth. ing California Forest Land, Universityof Califor Itis possibleto establish eucalyptus without nia Division of Agriculture and Natural Re irrigation if weeds are controlled before planting, sources. and the trees are planted very earlyin the season before the soil starts to dry out. Growth rate and survival will be reduced in comparison with irri Weed Control gated sites; however, this may be a desirable op Weed competition severely reduces young tion for areas where irrigation is unavailable or tree growth and survival. Plant trees in a weed- costly. In general, unirrigated plantings have free field and keep weeds under control the first 2 been successful on sites with more than 15 years. After planting use soil-active herbicides or Inches of annual rainfall and where excellent close cultivation to minimize weed competition. weed control is practiced. The section on "Eco Follow labels closely. Herbicides frequently tried nomic Considerations" at the end of this publi include: napropamide, oryzalin, and oxyfluor- cation serves as a framework for evaluating the fen. Some labels indicate registration for shelter- relative costs and benefits of irrigated versus belts or field nursery plantings.The following unirrigated plantings. have shown potential for crop injury in new Some fuelwood spedes are tolerant of water plantings: atrazine, simazlne, hexazinone, and with some salts in it. Field trials have demon sulfometuron-methyl. In locations where soil is strated slower growth in salty soil or withpoor loam to clay loam in texture with greater than 1 quality irrigation water. Trees have to work percent organic matter, no injury has been ob harder to get the water they need when it is salty. served from simaizine. More specific information For the most part, fuelwood trees do not reclaim may be available from your local farm advisor's soils by removing salts from the water or the soil. office or from a licensedpest control advisor. However, trials continue to measure exactly the Continue weed control until the ground is com amount of salts they do use. pletely shaded by the trees. Weeds will outcom- pete trees for the first 6 months, so weed control is essential for maximum production. Fertilizing Fast-growing fuelwood spedes should be fer tilized based on a complete soil analysis of the site. Most spedes respond to high nitrogen lev Irrigation els. Maintain adequate nutrition appropriate to For most fuelwood spedes tree growth is di your level of management and desired growth rectly related to the amount and quality of irriga rate. Little data are available about growth re tion they receive. Field trials have demonstrated sponse tonutrients other than nitrogen. more uniform stand growth from drip irrigation Fertilizers can be applied to growing trees by compared with other irrigation methods. Design broadcasting them dry throughout the tree stand the irrigation system to deliver roughly the same and letting rain carry them into the root zone. amount of water to each tree in the Meld. If you Another method is to apply soluble nutrients by are going to use a drip system, consider design dissolving them into irrigation water and apply ing it to apply fertilizer. ing through the drip system. Caution: Use spe Water is applied to the surface to replace cial anti-backflow equipment designed for this water pumped out of the tree leaves during purpose only. Most major plant nutrient ele growth (called evapotransplration, or ET). The ments are sold in a form suitable for injecting amount used varies, depending on the weather through drip systems. Your fertilizer or irrigation and the season. In most areas of California the dealer can assist you. Remember, small plants are ET value is determined by the California Depart very sensitive to salts in the irrigation water. Add ment of Water Resources (DWR) and is printed fertilizers only midway through the irrigation in the newspaper as an aid to local growers. ET cycle and always finish with dean water. Fire Protection growth and promptly removing all freshly Wildfire can destroy or severely damage a fu- downed trees and limbs. elwood stand. Effective fire prevention can be Your local farm advisor or pest control advi achieved by careful cleanup during preplanting sor can provide information about pest control preparation. Remove all brush, weeds, and trash for your area. within and surrounding your plantation. Within the plantation, frequent cultivation or the use of herbicides will minimize fire hazard from weed growth. Healthy, well-watered trees are more re sistant to fire. YIELD AND HARVEST CONSIDERATIONS

Pest Control Fuelwood plantings may be damaged bydo Tree Growth and Yield mestic livestock, rodents, deer, and insects. The growth rate of firewood trees varies Young, newly planted trees are most vulnerable. greatly, depending on the species planted, the Pest control problems vary from planting to quality of your planting site, the intensity of planting and from season to season.Inspect management, and the number ofyearssince young trees frequently so that you can minimize planting has occurred. Table 3 shows reported the impacts of pests with early control. growth rates from studies throughout California. An effective weed control program will help Growth ranges from 2 to 17 cordsper acre per reduce gopher damage. Fencing or tree guards year. Native blue oak stands typically have a may be necessary inareas with high deer or rab growth rate of only one fourth of a cord per acre bit populations, but these are expensive and per year. Therefore, landowners interested in should be carefully considered.Trees planted producing firewood should leave their oak from cuttings such as poplars are especially vul stands alone and plant firewood species in open nerable to damage from rodents. Grasshoppers ings or nonoak areas. can also attack and damage young plantings. While table 3 shows growth rate for a certain The eucalyptus long-horned beetle (eucalyp treeage, a grower would need additional infor tus borer) occurs throughout southern California mation to determine accumulated growth and in several northern California locations. (yields) at different agesto decide when to har Borers mainly attack older, stressed trees with vest. The upper graph of figure 2 illustrates accu root disease or trees planted on sites to which mulated tree growth over time. In early growth they are not well adapted. They are considered a stages, very little usable wood is produced while minor threat to healthy young standsof rapidly the trees develop root systems and foliage. Trees growing trees. However, the borers are attracted then entera periodof rapid growth when most tofreshly cut or downed trees and limbs. There is of the usable wood volume is produced. Finally, no pesticide treatment recommended for this they reach a plateau where growth increases at a beetle. Growers can minimize stand attractive slower rate. The shape of this curve varys accord ness to borers by managing trees for optimum ing to species, management practices, and site

TABLE 3. Firewood plantation growth reported in California

8 t Total yield VIELD (cords)

t

GROWTH (cords

per acre per year)

Average annual growth

AGE Age to cut for maximum production

FIGURE 2. Schematic illustration of firewood growth and yield and rotation length for maximum yield for two different growing conditions.

conditions. The upper graph represents the total trunk diameters. The cordwood growth is ap cordwood yield at different ages; the lower graph proximately proportional to the tree diameter represents the average annual growth rate ofthe squared. The growth can be determined by divid stand in cords per acre per year. This lower graph ing the average tree diameter squared by the to shows that tree growth reaches a maximum tal treeage. Growth should be plotted, as in the level, and then declines. lower half of figure 2. The total yield of the stand Growers can develop site-specific growth is a function of the average tree diameter and and yield information for their own plantation height according to a specific volume equation by annually measuring a random sample of tree developed from research trials. When to Harvest You may find commercial loggers interested in harvesting and buying your firewood trees. Growers interested in maximum wood pro However, there is some planning and paperwork duction should harvest their trees when the aver required before harvest can begin. Your local age annual tree growth rate is at a maximum. California Department of Forestry and Fire Pro Beyond this point, the total cordwood yield on tection Service forester can advise youand pro the upper graph of figure 2 isstill increasing, but vide a listing of licensed timber operators and at a slower rate and the average annual growth is registered professional foresters. decreasing. The grower would be wise to harvest the stand when the average annual growth is at a maximum. This age of the trees when harvested is known as the rotation age, and ranges from 5 Resprouting from Stumps years for fast-growing species on good sites Many fuelwood species have the capacity to spaced closely together, to .12 or more years for resprout or coppice from the stump after they are slow-growing species on poorer sites. harvested. Dormant buds at ground level begin growth when stimulated by sunlight after har Harvest trees in the spring to allow maxi vest. This eliminates the need to replace the har mum time for stump regrowth. Spring harvest vested trees with new plants, as the sprouts form also allows maximum field drying time for cut the next firewood crop. wood. To encourage stump sprouting after harvest, certain harvest guidelines should be followed. How to Harvest Harvest trees when they are 4 to 8 inches in di ameter for highest sprouting percentage and effi Tree harvesting takes place when trunk di cient fuelwood size. Cut stumps close to the ameters average about 6 inches measured at chest ground to encourage best stump and root attach height. Cut and fell the trees carefully, withonly ment for the sprouts. Try to avoid damaging one person using the saw. Use clear-cut methods stumps further with harvest machines or by to avoid hanging limbs called "widow makers." dragging trees along the base ofa stump. Harvest Fell trees so that they do not pile on top of each trees in the spring, whenever possible, to allow other. Remember: Trees are heavy; expect a 6- maximum sprout growth before winter frost and inch diameter tree to be70 feet tall and to weigh to allow time for harvested cordwood to dry be about 800 pounds. Plan on regularly disposing fore the winter firewood burning season. the twigs and leaves to maintain a safe work area. For details about equipment and safety when Most experts agree that sprouts do not re cutting firewood, see University of California quire thinning. Over time some will be crowded leaflet 21367 and WRAES 66. (See listings in Ref out, others will blow down, and some will simply erences.) stop growing. Left alone, most stumps will even tually support one tothree strong shoots for the After a tree is felled, one person can remove next harvest cycle. A fewstumps will not sprout the moderate-sized limbs. The tree can then be at all. lifted or dragged with a tractor to the side for further cutting into stove wood. You may con sider felling one row of trees at a time. Cut and split felled trees before they dry out.

Cut felled trees into final-use lengths as soon ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS as practical. The rule is: the greener the wood, the easier itis to split. Split all pieces larger than your The costs for establishing and operating a arm. Split wood stacks more securely, dries faster firewood plantation will vary from location to than nonsplit pieces, and is preferred by consum location. In general, costs will be highest in the ers. first year during seedling establishment and care. Field-stack firewood off the ground for Annual costs thereafter will be substantially less drying. It takes approximately 6 months in direct with the exception of harvest costs. sunlight to air-dry dense fuelwood after harvest. Capital outlay varys greatly, depending on Wood that is air-dry contains 15 to 20 percent the decisions made about tree spacing, irrigation, moisture by weight. Freshly cut trees are about 50 and fertilization. Three different management percent moisture. Wood that is air-dry is ready to alternatives are described in table 4. The associ burn and needs to be protected from the rain to ated costs for each management regime are prevent rewetting. shown in tables S and 6.

10 Alternative Management Regimes every 5 years for a total of four harvests over a 20- year period. The expected yield ranges from40 to Low-intensity management uses 10-foot 80 cords per harvest, depending on other condi by 10-foot spacing for a total of 435 trees per tions and an annual growth rate of 8 to IS cords acre. No nitrogen is used and the trees are wa per acre per year. tered in the first year with a tank truck. Weeds are controlled in the first year and the year after harvest. This low input approach will naturally Establishment Costs result in relatively slow growth and the trees will probably not be ready to harvest until thetenth The annual costs vary greatly from year to year. The expected growth will be about 20 to 40 year. The highest cost year is predictably the first cords per harvest or an average annual growth of year when the trees are planted and established. 2 to 4 cords per acre per year. After that, the highest cost years are the harvest years. For this reason, the costs of establishment Medium-intensity management is based are given in table 5 and the total costs for each on a 6-foot by 6-foot spacing for a total of 1,210 rotation are given in table 6. The variation in trees per acre. The trees are put on a drip system costs for each year over the 20-year life of the and fertilized through the drip with nitrogen trees is shown in figure 3. beginning in the second year. Weeds are con trolled in the first 2 years and in the first 2 years Table 5gives the pretax, first-year costs to after each cutting. The trees achieve more rapid establish the woodlot for each of the three man growth than in the low-intensity system because agement regimes described in table 4. The costs of the additional water and nitrogen, and better are given on a per-acre basis. The start-up costs weed control; therefore, they can be harvested include the costs of land preparation, purchasing every 7 years. The expected yield is 40 to 60 cords and planting the trees, irrigation and fertiliza each harvest which is a growth rate of 6 to 8 tion, and weed control. The cost of equipment is cords per acre per year. also included. The drip system includes the cost of the drip line, emitters, and mains. It is as High-intensity management differs from sumed that the site already has a well and an medium-intensity only in the amount of fertil adequate pump. izer applied. Fertilization begins in the first year at 100 pounds per acre and is increased to 300 The amortized annual cost per acre in table 5 pounds for the third through fifth years. Because is calculated from the total cost per acre. Itis es of the rapid growth, the trees can be harvested sentially the annual paymentyou would have to

TABLE 4. Description of three alternative firewood tree planting situations over a 20-year period

11 TABLE 5. Estimated first-year costs to establish a fueiwood planting under three management regimes

make to pay off a 20-year loan for the establish The overhead cost is the same for each man ment costs at an interest rate of 4 percent. Even if agement system. Taxes and insurance are as you put up cash for your woodlot development, sumed to equal $15 per acre per year. The amor there is still an opportunity cost of having that tized cost of trees and equipment in table 6 is money tied up in the woodlot instead of earning derived from the values calculated in table 5. For interest in another investment. The interest rate example, the amortized annual cost of the trees of 4 percent was used because it is the real rate of andequipment for the low-intensity manage interest in the economy with inflation sub ment shown in table 5 is $108. For a 10-year rota tracted out. For example, in the low input re tion, this equals: gime,the total cost per acre for the first year is $108x10 = $1080 $1,469. Spreading that out over 20 years at an interest rate of4 percent per year lowers the Table 6 shows $1,081 because of a rounding annual cost to $108 per acre. error in table 5. The total cost per rotation in table 6 is the sum of cultural costs, overhead, and amortized Costs per Cord costs of trees and equipment. Total cost per cord Table 6 gives the total cost for each harvest is calculated by dividing the total cost per rota tion by the number of cords per rotation and rotation. Remember that the length of the rota adding $35 for harvest costs. For example, the tion differs for each level of management inten cost per cord for low-intensity management at a sity. For example, the fertilizer cost of $2,006 per yield of 20 cords per rotation is equal to: acre for the medium-Intensity regime is for a 7- year period for an average of $287 per year, while ($1,081 / 20 cords) + $35 = $105 the cost of $1,695 under high-intensity manage ment is for a 5-year period and an average of $399 per acre per year.

12 TABLE6. Estimated totalcosts per harvest rotation togrow fuelwood under three management regimes

High•60 cords

FIGURE3. Annual investment forfuelwood production.

13 TheBottom Line You can see from the average cost per cord Figure 3 shows the annual costs for each in table 6 that the lowest cost of production re management intensity. The three-dimensional sults from low-intensity management (with its graph demonstrates that the highest costs are in corresponding low yields) and high-intensity the establishment year followed by the harvest management (with Its corresponding high years. Each level of management intensity has a yields). This suggests that if you want to invest different number of harvests. in an expensive drip irrigation system, then you Costs itemized in tables S and 6 and in fig must also invest in fertilization. The decision as ure 3 are pretax costs. Investment tax credits to whether or not to go with a low- or high-in and amortization for tree planting expenses tensity approach depends on the availability of may be possible for some growers under provi cash, growing space, labor and water, as well as sions of the federal "Reforestation Tax Incen yield requirements. tive" program.

CONCLUSION The fuelwood species discussed grow rapidly and tolerate a wide range of California conditions. Actual wood yield depends on local site and management conditions for each species planted. This publication encourages homeowners with adequate space to consider planting fuelwood species on a small scale to offset their energy needs. It discusses the importance of long-range planning and con sideration of the physical and economic demands of growing trees for future harvest as fuelwood. Figure 4 shows a time line summarizing the steps involved in producing firewood. The production guidelines discussed are based on the latest California field tests. Using these guidelines, growers can consistently produce large trees for safe use as firewood and reduce the demands on our native hard wood species. The information presented here illustrates that, with good planning and management, you can economically grow your own firewood. Growers are reminded that "middle-of-the-road" manage ment is the least cost effective. The best approach is to manage for maximum production or minimum input. You may have started out interested only in cutting enough firewood to supply your family with a constantheating source, only to discover that you could sell some of the firewood. To pursue this alternative, refer to UC leaflet 21367 (Firewood Harvesting for Forest Management) for additional infor mation on marketing, regulations, and sources of assistance when harvesting firewood.

14 Preparation and Planning (1 to 2 years before planting)

Decide you can do it Decide you should do it Decide how much wood you need Figure space required Select location Arrange financing Select species to plant

FIGURE 4. Time line for growingyour own firewood.

15 REFERENCES Donaldson, Dean R., William A. Dost, and Richard Standiford. 1983. Heating Your Home with Wood. Univ. Calif. Div. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Leaflet 21336.8 pp. Donaldson, Dean R. 1987. Commercial Sources of Fuelwood Seedlings in Small Containers. In- house Cooperative Extension handout available from local farm advisors' offices. Eucalyptus Improvement Association, P.O. Box 4460, Davis, CA 95617. Provides quarterly news letter and current educational material for growers of eucalyptus. Food and Agriculture Organization ofthe United Nations. 1979. Eucalyptus for Planting. FAO Forestry Series 11, Rome, Italy. 677 pp. Fisher, W. 1977. Chain Saw Safety. Western Regional Agricultural Engineering Service publication (WRAES66).4pp. Hillis, W.E., and A.G. Brown. 1978. Eucalyptus for Wood Production. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. Griffin Press, Adelaide, South Australia 434 pp. Laacke, Robert J., Peter C. Passof, and Paul C. Smith. 1978. Planting California Forest Land. Univ. Calif. Div. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Leaflet 292S. 44 pp. Passof, Peter C, Richard B. Standiford, Paul C. Smith, Thomas F. Robson, and Arthur L. Scarlett. 1983. Ten Common Questions about Forest Tree Planting. Univ. Calif. Div. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Leaflet 21368.4 pp. Standiford, Richard B., Denice C. Froehlich, Peter C. Passof, James A. Rinehart, and Thomas F. Robson. Firewood Harvesting for Forest Management. Univ. Calif. Div. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Leaflet 21367.8 pp. Standiford, Richard B. and 18 co-authors. California Agriculture, November, 1988, vol. 42 number 6, pages 18-31. Article titles: Short-rotation intensively cultured woody biomass plantations; Seven- year performance of eucalyptus species in Napa County; Low-elevation foothill fuelwood plantation; Maximum biomass yields on prime agricultural land; Economic feasibility of eucalyptus production; and Selection and clonal propagation of eucalyptus.

16 WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS

Pesticides are poisonous. Always read and carefully follow all precautions and safety recommenda tions given on the container label. Store all chemicals in their original labeled containers in a locked cabinet or shed, away from foods or feeds, and out of the reach of children, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock.

Confine chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardens containing fruits and/or vegetables ready to be picked.

Dispose of empty containers carefully. Follow label instructions for disposal. Never reuse the containers. Make sure empty containers are not accessible to children or animals. Never dispose of containers where they may contaminate water supplies or natural waterways. Do not pour down sink or toilet. Consult you county agricultural commissioner for correct ways of disposing of excessive pesticides. Never bum pesticide containers.

PHYTOTOXICITY: Certain chemicals may cause plant injury if used at the wrong stage of plant development or when temperatures are too high. Injury may also result from excessive amounts or the wrong formulation or from mixing incompatible materials.Inert ingredients, such as wetters, spreaders, emulsifiers, diluents, and solvents can cause plant injury. Since formulations are often changed by manufacturers, it is possible that plant injury may occur, even though no injury was noted in previous seasons.

This publication is printed on recycled paper.

The University of California, In compliance with Titles VI and VII of the avil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of theEducation Amendments of 1972, Sections S03 and 504 ofthe Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Art of 1975, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, mental or physical handicap, orage In any of its programs or activities, or with respect to any of its employment policies, practices, or procedures. Nor does the University of California discriminate on the basis of ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, citizen ship, medical condition (as defined In section 12926 of the California Government Code) or because Individuals arespecial disabled veterans or Vietnam era veterans (as defined by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974 and Section 12940 of the California Government Code). Inquiries regarding this policy may be addressed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-3560. (415) 987-0097.

3m-pr-10/90-HS/ALS Above: Five-month-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis planted ina narrow band at the edge of a fenceline. Fuelwood plantations can be established in narrow bands.

Left: Three-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis grown in a low rainfall zone (less than 12 inches annual rainfall) without supplemental irrigation. Note the wide tree spacing and complete weed control essential in dryland plantations.

Front cover: Eucalyptus viminalis, irrigated and fertilized, averaged 27 feet in height and 3 inches in diameter at breast height after 3 years.