Biomass equations and carbon content of aboveground leafless biomass of hybrid poplar in Coastal British Columbia

Hybrid poplar plantations offer opportunities for enhancing carbon sinks, but accurate assignment of carbon credits requires accurate estimation of the amount of carbon stored in poplar biomass. Here we present individual-tree bole and branch biomass equations derived for Populus trichocarpa Torr. and Gray × P. deltoides Marsh. hybrids from plantations in coastal British Columbia, Canada. Trees ranged in age from 4 to 13 years old and were planted at a density of 1111 stems ha−1. Equations were applied to similar short-rotation intensive-culture plantations near or at rotation age to derive estimates of aboveground leafless biomass production and amount of carbon sequestered. After 12 years, predicted aboveground leafless biomass accumulation ranged from 9.2 to 13.6 Mg ha−1 year−1; predicted bole biomass accumulation ranged from 7.5 to 11.3 Mg ha−1 year−1. Total carbon in aboveground leafless biomass at age 12 ranged from 51.2 to 75.7 Mg ha−1. Three of the stands reached 14 years of age prior to harvest. Predicted carbon content of aboveground leafless biomass at 14 years of age ranged from 73.7 to 88.7 Mg ha−1.