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Abstract Chemical composition, nylon bag ruminal degradation and the ensiling characteristics of the biomass of 10 short rotation, intensively-cultured hardwood tree species were determined to evaluate their potential feeding value for cattle. Species examined included: ailanthus, aspen, black alder, black locust, birch, elm, green ash, honeylocust, poplar and willow. Dry matter of these species ranged from 27.5 to 31.4% during initial growth, and from 28.2 to 32.3% with regrowth. Species averaged 18.8% in crude protein; black alder, black locust, honeylocust and poplar were over 20%. Only black locust and honeylocust had crude protein percentages higher than 20% with regrowth. Gross energy averaged 4.1 kcal/g and acid detergent fiber (ADF) averaged 28.3%. Ash ranged from 5.2 to 9.0%. Lignin averaged 8.9%, and ranged from 5.5 to 12.2%. With regrowth, the trend was for a decrease in crude protein, ether extract and gross energy, and an increase in dry matter, ash, neutral detergent fiber, ADF and lignin. Ruminal dry matter loss from nylon bags averaged 37.7% with 24 h of incubation. Dry matter loss of black locust and honeylocust were higher (P<.05) than the other species. The ADF loss averaged 15.3% and N loss averaged 41.6%. Black locust and honeylocust were higher (P<.01) in N loss than the other species. With regrowth, all species showed reduced ruminal losses in dry matter, ADF and N. All of the species were adequately ensiled in laboratory silos, with the exception of elm and willow. Based on the data, short rotation, intensively-cultured hardwood tree biomass appears to have a feeding value for cattle. Copyright © 1986. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1986 by American Society of Animal Science.