FUELWOOD CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME INDIAN MOUNTAIN SPECIES

Qualitative analysis of 20 indigenous mountain taxa of Garhwal Himalaya proved that temperate species are best suited as firewood as they contain high density wood, low ash and moisture fractions, high biomass to ash ratio and low nitrogen percentage. Our results showed that Anogeissus latifolia (a tropical taxa) had an average calorific value, high density and comparatively low ash content and thus has the highest Fuelwood Value Index (FVI). Morus serrata, Rhus javanica, Viburnum spp. Symplocos spp., Rhamnus triqueter, and Salix spp., have promising fuelwood properties.