Approximately 368 million tons of woody biomass can be sustainably produced annually in the United States [1], forming the basis of many natural resource based industries (e.g., energy and fiber) that depend upon cellulosic feedstocks for development and expansion. Considering the renewable energy supply chain, woody biomass is derived from forestlands and intensively man- aged plantations [2]. Both feedstock sources have associated environmental, social, and economic advantages and disadvantages, and a substantial amount of research has been and is currently being conducted to address these issues [3–5].
Purpose-grown short rotation woody crops are a sustainable feedstock option for reducing pressure on native forests and man- aging the remaining landscape for non-production benefits [6,7].