Harvesting systems for poplar short rotation coppice

•The harvesting of short rotation coppice is a key activity of biomass production.•Cut-and-chip or harvest-and-storage system are the most diffused methods.•The cut-and-chip approach has a higher working capacity and economic convenience.•The harvest-and-storage represents a solution of great potential in the next future.•New harvesting systems worth of evaluation are appearing.

The harvesting of wood species intended for energy production is one of the critical steps for the establishment of an economically viable supply chain. The review examines the state of the art of the main systems for collecting the short rotation coppice (SRC) by referring to poplar (Populus spp.), one of the main energy species for southern Europe. Starting from the early experiences of willow (Salix spp.) in Sweden, over time two approaches have established: the cut-and-chip and the harvest-and-storage system. In the work, the pros and cons of the two systems are analyzed and their efficiency compared, giving also some indication about the next evolution of the machines. Emerging systems showing an interesting future potential as bales production or the development of small-scale tractor-powered harvesters are also described. Finally, some economic considerations on differences between harvesting cost for the cut-and-chip and harvest-and-storage system are reported.