Economic comparative advantage of willow biomass in the Northeast USA

We evaluate the potential economic availability of willow (Salix spp.) short-rotation woody crops in the Northeast USA. Based on results from a 20-year agronomic simulation, the Northeast USA could potentially provide between 2.1 and 9.7 million dry Mg year⁻¹, depending on farmgate price and competition with other energy crops. In a diversified biomass energy-crop scenario, willow outperforms other lignocellulosic energy crops in planted area and production at 91% of supply and 83% of planted area in a low-price scenario in the Northeast USA. In a high-price scenario, willow also outperforms competing energy crops at 47% of production and 51% of planted area. In contrast with the rest of the USA, willow comprises the greatest portion of energy crop potential in the Northeast. These results suggest that willow has an agronomic comparative advantage in this region as compared to herbaceous energy crops, with great potential to increase production given adequate market prices.