Biomass and Oil Content of Eastern Redcedar
By
R. F. Wittwer, S. Anderson, R. Likens, K. Payne and E. J. Eisenbraun
Editor’s Note: The following is a summary of a paper given at the
10th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference,
Shreveport, LA, 1999. Summary provided by Craig McKinley, OSU
Forestry Extension
Printed in The Cedar Leader Nov-Dec 2004
The purpose of the study presented below was to provide information
about eastern redcedar biomass and oil contents to aid in the
development of a sustainable eastern red cedar industry.
A total of 14 sample trees were selected in the field for intensive
sampling and analysis. Eight trees were selected that were
considered to be “open-grown” and six trees were considered as
“closed-grown”. These categories distinguished between trees found
in fields and pastures that were free of competition and trees
surrounded closely by others of similar size and age. A number of
variables were measured in both the standing trees and by laboratory
analysis following harvest.
For open-grown trees, foliage and branches comprised approximately
70 percent of the total aboveground biomass, with bole components of
sapwood, heartwood and bark comprising approximately 30 percent. For
closed-grown trees, the relative distribution of crown and bole
components was nearly reversed, with crown accounting for about 35
percent of the total aboveground biomass and bole components account
for about 65 percent.
Using estimates derived across all data, the total dry weight of a
14 inch diameter closed-grown tree would be:
Foliage 123 lbs
Live branches 199 lbs
Dead branches 114 lbs
Bole bark 46 lbs
Bole sapwood 225 lbs
Bole heartwood 439 lbs
Total 1,146 lbs
Oil concentrations in the heartwood of sample trees ranged from 0.60
to 5.88 percent. Average oil content was 2.94 percent on a
dry-weight basis. Open-grown trees exhibited concentrations less
than the average, while closed-grown trees had concentrations of 3.3
percent or higher. These differences in concentrations coupled with
the greater proportion of heartwood in closed-grown trees (38
percent as opposed to 14 percent in open-grown trees) resulted in
significantly greater total oil content in closed-grown trees.
A 12-inch closed-grown tree would have approximately 17 pounds of
cedar oil, which at 1999 prices for oil, would be valued at about
$117.
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