September 2024 – Chesham Demonstrator Hub Update
BGI Site Plan
During September at the Chesham Demonstrator Hub, various crops continued to perform well. SRF Alder showed healthy growth, though about half of the trees had yellowing bottom leaves, and young catkins were spotted. SRF Black Locust saw vigorous growth, with some trees reaching 10 feet tall, while SRF Eucalyptus required staking but stood upright. Miscanthus Giganteus and SRC Poplar also performed well, with some Miscanthus reaching over 6-7 feet. Despite some insect damage, SRC Willow looked promising, while other varieties like Reed Canary Grass and Sida were thriving, contributing to overall successful progress across the site.
The Biomass Connect Demo Day on the 12th September was a huge success, attracting over 85 attendees from the UK, Netherlands, and Hungary. With 9 presenters and 6 demonstrations throughout the day, it was finished off with beers, wine, a BBQ and networking.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF alder is looking great.
- The bottom leaves are turning yellow on 50% of trees.
- Young catkins have been spotted growing on one of the trees.
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- Photo of young catkins growing
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ trees are growing well, with some reaching an estimated 10ft tall, with vigorous growth
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus trees that required staking, have been staked.
- All are standing up straight.
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- Eucalyptus at Chesham, Sept. 2024
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- Eucalyptus at Chesham, Sept. 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar is looking great with new shoots appearing still. The aisles have been mown.
- The SRC poplar is again looking great. The aisles have been mown.
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- SRF Poplar at Chesham, Sept. 2024
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- SRC Poplar – Leaf damage
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- SRC Poplar – Insect damage
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- SRC Poplar – Rust damage
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is now turning yellow /red. It is growing well over 6ft to 7ft tall now.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ is growing well with some reaching heights of around 4ft.
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- Miscanthus Athena
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- Miscanthus giganteus turning pink
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- Miscanthus giganteus
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- Miscanthus giganteus going pink
Willow
- The 0.5 ha SRC willow is looking good. Losses have been reported.
- There is some insect damage, with quite a few leaves affected, showing skeleton damage.
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- Insect damage to gapped up willow
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- Insect damage to gapped up willow
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- Curled brown leaves
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- SRC Willow – Skeleton Ghost
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- SRC Willow
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- Insect damage
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- Willow – Skeleton – insect damage
Sida
- The sida planted this year are flowering and the plot is looking great.
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- Sida – this years and last years
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- Sida – this years and last years
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- This years Sida in flower
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass is growing well.
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- Reed Canary Grass at Chesham, Sept. 2024
Plans and Actions
Biomass Connect Demo Day 12/9/24:
The Biomass Connect Demo Day at Chesham on 12th September was a huge success, attracting over 85 attendees from the UK, Netherlands, and Hungary. With 9 presenters and 6 demonstrations throughout the day, it finished off with beers, wine, BBQ and networking.
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
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- Chesham Demo Event. Sept 2024
Gallery
