Woody Biomass

Bio fuels are a popular topic these days and there is always new ones being developed. There is sugar-beets, corn, switch grass, algae, and one of newest is "woody biomass". Woody biomass is bio fuel derived from softwood and hardwood trees. One of the most promising for woody biomass is the Loblolly Pine, a softwood. Loblolly Pines is a type of pine in the south-east US, also grown in North Carolina. North Carolina generates around 3.3 million acres of Loblolly Pine each year in addition to naturally grown trees. Most of these trees go to be used for paper or construction but North Carolina still produces more timber then it needs. There are also other trees such as hardwoods that are good for bio fuels but because the Loblolly is a softwood it grows much faster which makes it better to harvest. Woody biomass is currently being researched by Oxford and NC State. In addition to other bio fuels, "woody biomass" could help the US lessen its dependence on fossil fuels while becoming more environmentally friendly.

 Video from Canada on Biomass

uploaded by AgriComm

http://www.biofuelscenter.org/index.php/feedstocks/woody-biomass?start=3