Tree of knowledge

Sherwood Forest is an ideal place to have a biomass boiler, and it would be an excellent showpiece for the woodfuel industry in this country. Unfortunately, the planners of the scheme have either not been given, or taken, appropriate expert advice on woodfuel and are planning to use willow. Had they done enough of the right homework, rather than jumping on a badly informed bandwagon, they would know that willow – although a very useful crop for other reasons – is the wrong choice for woodfuel boiler installations.

There are significant problems associated with its cultivation and use. Among these are the extremely high moisture content (70%) and the low density even when dried. Various properties of willow cause problems in burning, including fly ash and clinker formation, which necessitates frequent cleaning.

There are even problems with storage because of the nature of this particular wood (decomposition, fire hazard and smell). Rather than being a biomass solution, willow is an inappropriate choice, and a particular irony in this instance because the right kind of fuel is growing all around the proposed centre.

If the aim is to produce a visitor and education centre that can demonstrate the excellence and viability of wood as a fuel source, using willow will defeat the object. 3G Energi would be happy to advise builders, architects and planners interested in using biomass on the detailed reasons why willow will not work well and the options that will, with the research and experience that backs them up. Woodfuel heating is an important technology for all of our futures, and it would be a wasted opportunity if The Tree were to go ahead with fuel in its boilers that will cause operational difficulties for years ahead.

S Gulliver-Goodall, director, 3G Energi