Considering poplar on field bunds and full blocks. Want rotation length, returns and buyers.
Is poplar tree farming profitable in Punjab and how long to harvest?
BBalwinder Singh1yr ago · 480 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓1yr ago
Poplar is the classic agroforestry tree of Punjab, Haryana and the western UP terai, grown both on field boundaries and as full blocks, and supplying the plywood and matchstick industry. It is fast growing, with a typical rotation of around five to seven years to harvestable size. A big advantage is intercropping, in early years you can grow wheat, fodder, sugarcane or vegetables between the rows, so the land keeps earning while trees mature. Returns per acre over the rotation can be attractive, but they depend heavily on wood price at harvest, which has cycled up and down, plant quality, spacing and survival. Buyers are plywood mills and traders. Use good clonal planting material suited to your area, maintain proper spacing and watering, and protect from waterlogging and pests. Do not assume the best ever wood rate; check current mill prices and the clone recommended by PAU or your forest department before planting.
JJagtar Singh1yr ago
I grow poplar in blocks and on bunds near Hoshiarpur. The plus point is I take wheat and fodder between rows for the first two or three years. Harvest around six years. Wood price swings, plan for that, do not plant only because someone quotes a high rate.
SSukhdev Singh1yr ago
Use good clones from a reliable nursery, cheap saplings gave me poor survival once. Plywood mills buy the wood. Avoid low waterlogged patches, poplar does not like wet feet. Intercropping early helps cover costs.
HHarbans Singh1yr ago
The wood rate moves in cycles, I have seen it high one rotation and weak the next. Some of us hold off felling a year if the mill rate is poor, since standing trees keep adding girth. Talk to the mills directly near harvest to know the real running rate.
DDavinder Kaur1yr ago
Spacing decides how much you can intercrop. Wider rows let me take wheat and fodder for two to three years which paid most of my costs before the trees closed the canopy. After that the shade limits intercrops, so plan the early years to earn.