Alternative planting method for short rotation coppice with poplar and willow

A reduction in energetic and economic costs is key to the sustainable development of Short Rotation Coppices (SRC) for energy purposes. During their cultivation, the highest costs are incurred during the planting and harvesting phases. A new planting method, which involves the horizontal disposition of stems or cuttings 120 cm long, at a depth of 5-10 cm, could provide energy and cost savings during planting. The results of three experimental plots in Casale M. to (AL), one in Cannara (PG) and one in Chioggia (VE) are shown: horizontal stems and long cuttings were able to produce from 1 to 5 sprouts per meter (sp m−1), depending on the genotype and environmental conditions. Willow was able to produce on average from 2.1 to 4.8 sp m−1 and between poplars, the species P. ×canadensis produced more sprouts that Populus deltoides (3.9 sp m−1 compared with 1.9 sp m−1). Yields reached a maximum in a Casale M. to trial with 12.7 oven dry tons per hectare (Odt ha−1) for poplar 'Orion' and 12.3 Odt ha−1 for willow 'Levante' at the end of first year. The variability of sprouts production and growth of trees makes this method suitable for SRC or stool-beds.