Biomass Energy

Willow production for biomass energy

Canada’s ratification and commitment to the Kyoto Accord has created opportunities for further development of a biomass energy sector. Willow is a woody crop well known for its high growth rate and ease of establishment, and is successfully grown as a bioenergy crop in the United States and Europe.

Willow production in the parkland and boreal transition regions of Saskatchewan is gaining interest from an expanding bioenergy industry, as well as landowners, governments, and research institutions. The University of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Forest Service implemented a willow research program in 2006 to determine the appropriate cultural practices and clonal varieties for the northern prairie region.