September 2024 – Headley Hall Demonstrator Hub Update
Headley Hall Site Plan
There were a number of developments during September at Headley Hall. The SRF alder showed severe leaf damage due to beetle infestations, while SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ remained healthy despite some wind rocking as the weather worsened. SRF Eucalyptus require supports to help with tree lodging, though the trees remained largely healthy. The Poplar plots performed well, with good canopy and trunk growth and some trees showed early senescence. Miscanthus varieties experienced robust growth, and the SRC willow variety trials saw caterpillar damage in certain plots. Maintenance tasks, such as topping grass aisles and managing fencing, were also addressed to ensure continued progress.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF alder trees are showing severe leaf damage.
- The plot is full of big blue beetles.
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- Alder 30-9-24 at Headley Hall
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- Alder Beetles 30-9-24 at Headley Hall
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- Alder Beetles 30-9-24 at Headley Hall
Black Locust
- Most of the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ trees are looking healthy, but a few are starting to wind rock now the ground is softer, and the weather takes a downturn.
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- Black Locust Turbo 30-9-24 at Headley Hall
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- Black locust Turbo damage leaves 30-9-24
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- Black Locust Turbo 30-9-24
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus trees at Headley Hall are looking healthy despite a few being at an angle.
- Tree supports have been ordered and we are awaiting delivery of these to get them in the ground to help with the lodging of the trees.
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- Eucalyptus damage 30-9-24
Poplar
- The SRF poplar plot has good canopy cover and the trees have put on some real girth in the trunk this growing season. There are two dead trees.
- The SRC poplar trees are looking healthy. The plants have got quite big during the growing season and some of the lower leaves have now started to senesce.
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- SRC Poplar at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
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- SRF Poplar at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
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- SRF Poplar at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus plot is looking good. The plants have grown well this year and are well over 2 m tall now. Lower leaves ar starting to senesce.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ is growing well after a shaky start with consistent growth across the plot. The area has a fair bit of grass at the bottom of the plants, but it is pretty clear of weeds.
- The 2023 Miscanthus Variety Trial plots are at varying stages of leaf senescence and have varying heights.
- The 2024 Miscanthus Variety Trial plot looks good with plant heights at about 1 m. The gap filled plots seem to be struggling a little bit, unsure of the reason for this other than it was fairly late in the year that these areas were planted.
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- Misc variety trial 2024 at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
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- Miscanthus Athena 30-9-24
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- Miscanthus giganteus 30-9-24
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- Miscanthus giganteus 30-9-24
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- Misc variety trial 2023 at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
Willow
- The 0.5 ha SRC willow plot has good height across the area, but the Lisa variety is still showing signs of leaf drop. On most varieties the leaves are starting to drop off lower down the plant. There is no signsof rust in the crop.
- In the SRC willow variety trial plots RR10051 and Endurance have been getting their leaves eaten by many caterpillars. The rest of the plots have not been affected by this yet but we will keep a close eye on this. Overall there is good growth in the plots and the newly planted plots seem to be establishing well.
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- Willow 0.5 deer damage
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- Willow 0.5 height 30-9-24
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- Willow variety trial 30-9-24
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- Willow variety trial 30-9-24
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- Willow variety trial 30-9-24
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- Willow variety trial 30-9-24
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- Leaves missing 0.5 willow 30-9-24
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- Leaves of willow 30-9-24
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- Ghosting on Willow 30-9-24
Sida
- The sida plants are in flower.
- Some of the leaves are turning yellow, we are hoping this is just senescence and nothing more serious.
- The area still to be hand rouged. We will get to this as soon as possible.
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- Sida at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass leaves are at an early senescence stage.
- The area is to be topped with a mower when we can get machinery on the field without making too much mess.
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- Reed canary grass at Headley Hall, Sept. 2024
Switchgrass
- The switchgrass area needs to be rouged of volunteer weeds and then topped before winter.
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- Switchgrass at Headley Hall 30-9-24
Plans and Actions
The grass aisles are to be topped by local farmer when they are available.
Weeds have been cut around the fence with fence line sprayed to get rid of the weed issue that we had with the fence. sprayed with 4 l/ha glyphosate on 12/9/24.
The gate has been reconnected.
The fence is putting out a pulse with better readings closer to the solar panels.
