Diesel Trees
June 6th 2008 23:18
From treehugger.com:
The Brazilian Copaifera langsdorfii, to use its botanical name, can be tapped not unlike a rubber tree, but instead of yielding rubbery latex it gives up a natural diesel. According to the nurseryman selling the trees, one hectare will yield about 12,000 litres annually.
Once filtered—-no complex refining required, apparently—-it can be placed straight into a diesel tractor or truck. We read that a single copaifera langsdorfii will continue to produce fuel oil for an impressive 70 years, with the only negative being that its particular form of diesel needs to be used within three months of extraction.
You can also check out this video on YouTube in which an Australian farmer who's growing Diesel Trees is interviewed. He admits it "sounds like a fanciful concept," but insists it's real.
There are also articles in the Sydney Morning Herald and ABC.net.au.
As odd as the idea sounds, Diesel Trees do appear to be real. Here's the wikipedia article about them. They simply produce a plant oil pure enough that diesel engines can run on it.
The Alaska Science Forum notes:
Though not likely to become a significant source of diesel fuel in temperate climates, in the tropics Cobaifera plantations might produce as much as 25 barrels of fuel per year. Still, Cobaifera relatives in the same genus, Euphorbia, are producing 10 barrels per acre in northern California.
It would be pretty cool Your text goes hereto be able to fill up your car directly from a tree in your backyard. (via geoisla)
Stay warm, thanks to global warming, I'm freezing my hinder parts off and it's late spring.
Raven
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Comment by katyzzz
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Fill her up with water, please.
Comment by tlcorbin
Katyzzz, were it only that easy, and probably is. But I have more faith in mandated hybrid flex fueled vehicles, it give the consumer choices and those choices will drive the market.
That will force the market back into the realm of reasonable.
Raven
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Comment by Jason King
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This would be an ideal solution to explore, especially now they are mentioning another 10-20c petrol hike this week!
Now I just need the money tree and I will be in heaven. I would also like a strawberry freddo frog tree. And maybe, just maybe an Oporto Big Bondi tree. YUMMY.
Nice article!!
Comment by tlcorbin
Strange that this isn't circulating around a bit more. It's a great story and hopeful idea.
Hahaha, your trees sound like fun, whereas this is only a money tree. Thanks for taking the time to research the story as well Jason.
Raven
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Raven