July 2024 – Hillsborough Demonstrator Hub Update
Hillsborough Site Plan
The crops at the Hillsborough Demonstrator Hub are showing varied progress. Many species, such as SRF Alder, Poplar, and Miscanthus varieties, are demonstrating healthy growth with minimal pest and disease issues. However, some areas are facing challenges, including potential fungal infections in some SRC Willow varieties and high weed pressure in the Sida plot. Overall, while most crops are developing well, targeted management will be crucial to address specific concerns and ensure continued success.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF alder has put on some considerable growth in the last month. Stem width has increased and height, too.
- Some plants seem to be being affected more by the sawfly larvae than others.
- A slight bit of browning was observed in the leaves earlier in the month, however, this has grown out.
- The grass has been mown.
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- SRF Alder at Hillsborough, July 2024
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- SRF Alder at Hillsborough, July 2024
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- SRF Alder at Hillsborough, July 2024
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ plot has been mown this month.
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ trees were planted in May, there is no new growth yet. The grass has been mown and we have trimmed around the planting area.
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
Eucalyptus
- All SRF Eucalyptusvarieties are looking good.
- The gapped-up trees are growing.
- E. dalrympleana and E. nitens are about a foot taller than the rest.
- The grass has been mown.
- No new stakes have been put in yet.
- They are probably a good bit shorter than the other sites due to late planting last year.
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- SRF Eucalyptus
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- SRF Eucalyptus
Poplar
- The grass has been mown in both the SRF poplar and SRC poplar plots.
- The SRF poplar is growing well, gaining stem diameter and height. There are no signs of rust or much insect damage.
- The SRC poplar is also growing well and filling out in the stems. There is no sign of rust or much insect damage.
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- SRF Poplar
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- SRC Poplar
Miscanthus
- The Miscanthus giganteus is about 2m tall now. No management has been necessary this month. Weeds are minimal apart from around the edges.
- The Miscanthus Athena™ is also about 2m tall now. It is filling out in patches that were left after planting last year. No management has been necessary this month. Weeds are minimal apart from around the edges.
- The Illinois variety was planted in the 2023 Miscanthus variety trial plot on 24/07/2024.
- The 2024 Miscanthus variety trial plot has been prepared for planting of the Illinois variety.
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- 2023 Miscanthus Variety Trial
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- Miscanthus
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- Miscanthus
Willow
- Weeds are minimal in the SRC willow plot. It is starting to get canopy closure and grass weed is browning off through Allelopathy. The stems are thickening up and also gaining height. There is a potential fungal infection affecting Inger and other varieties (not the darker thin leafed variety or Endurance).
- The willow variety trial is looking good. The grass has been mown and the larger weeds pulled.
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- 0.5ha SRC Willow
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- 0.5ha SRC Willow
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- 0.5ha SRC Willow
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- 0.5ha SRC Willow
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- SRC Willow Variety Trial
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- SRC Willow Variety Trial
Sida
- Weed pressure is high in the sida plot.
- The plants are looking quite unwell. Brown leaves and not much growth put on.
- We will mow up the rows ASAP and then weed by hand.
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- Sida
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- Sida
Reed Canary Grass
- The reed canary grass plot needs to be sprayed
- We are checking which chemicals can be used.
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- Reed Canary Grass
Switchgrass
- The switchgrass seeds were sown on the 30th of May. It is hard to tell yet if the grass emerging is from the sown seed or just a weed grass.
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- Switchgrass
Silphium
- The Silphium seeds were sown on May 22nd but none are showing yet.
- We are looking to keep on top of weeds and then spray next spring in the hope of some germination.
Hemp
- The hemp is looking better now, but nowhere near last year’s growth.
- The seedlings are about shin – knee height.
- There is very good coverage even though seeds were broadcast.
- No management has been needed this month.
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- Hemp
Gallery
