Wood ash as a soil amendment in Canadian forests: what are the barriers to utilization?

The contribution of forest biomass to Canada’s energy production is small but growing. As the forest bioenergy industry in Canada expands, there is growing interest in more sustainably managing the wood ash that is generated as a by-product. Despite being rich in nutrients wood ash is usually landfilled in Canada. Soil applications of ash in Canadian forests could be used to mimic some of the effects of wildfire; to replace nutrients removed during harvesting; to counteract the negative effects of acid deposition; and to improve tree growth. At present, the provincial/territorial processes for obtaining regulatory approval to use wood ash as a forest soil amendment can be challenging to navigate. Furthermore, the costs for obtaining approval, transporting and soil-applying wood ash can render landfilling a more cost-effective method of ash management. To ensure that wood ash applications in Canadian forests are conducted safely, effectively and efficiently, experience from European countries could provide...