Lignocellulosic material grown on fields

 Lignocellulosic material can be obtained from perennial crops like fast growing tree species with a rather short rotation period, i.e. low time span from planting to harvest. After harvest the trees are able to re-sprout from the remaining stumps. Suitable tree species for so called short rotation coppice are poplar, willow or eucalyptus. Coppices have already been used by humans since centuries mostly for fuelwood production. Until the middle of 19th century such coppices from broad-leafed tree species like hazel, chestnut, ash, maple or hornbeam, were very common in Central and Southern Europe.

Beside woody plants there are also some herbaceous crops that are cultivated to obtain lignocellulosic material. These annual or perennial grasses are able to produce biomass quickly but differ greatly related to their chemical composition (i.e. lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose content).

Typical for this group are e.g. miscanthus, reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) or common reed (Phragmites australis).