The effect of whole-tree storage on the fuelwood properties of short-rotation Salix crops

A 7-year-old stand of willow (Salix ‘Aquatica’) was manually felled by using a chain saw and a clearing saw. Uncomminuted stems were piled and stored for 18 months. The heating value and basic density of the material changed over the storage period. The moisture content dropped from the initial 54% to 26% by the end of the second summer of storage. The bark content dropped from 24.1 to 14.9%.