CU and ArborGen team for Biofuel Research

Researchers at Clemson University are teaming with a commercial forestry company to determine what variety of poplars are best to make biofuels. ArborGen planted four species of poplars last year at Clemson’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center. Scientists from the company and the university plan to monitor the 3,000 trees with the goal to find a tree that can grow fast, regenerate itself after being cut down, and produce clean and efficient biofuel. Researchers say these poplars will likely grow up to 50 feet tall and will sprout again from their own stumps after being cut down.