Spotlight on Black Locust

Black Locust plots across the Biomass Connect sites have now fully senesced, with most trees bare and only occasional curled leaves remaining. Structural integrity remains good overall, though some sites reported leaning stems requiring support. Pest pressures were minimal, though hare activity and larger mammals were noted at certain hubs.

Cockle Park
Most leaves have fallen, leaving bare stems. Hare damage was observed, but no signs of disease were reported. No pesticide or herbicide applications were made during the month.

Boghall
Trees are almost completely senesced, with grass patches now visible beneath the bare branches. Strimming was carried out on November 5th, and remaining grass clumps will be addressed as soon as possible.

Auchincruive
All Black Locust trees have fully senesced. A winter tidy-up is scheduled for early December to clear debris and maintain site condition.

Headley Hall
The majority of trees have dropped their leaves, though a few curled leaves remain on some stems. No pest or disease issues were noted.

Hillsborough
Leaves are now completely off, leaving only a few patches of nettles beneath the trees. Several trees are leaning and will require posts to help straighten them.

Aberystwyth
Significant leaf loss occurred during November, with no structural damage reported from recent storms. No pest or disease issues were observed.

Chesham
The Black Locust plots have dropped the majority of their leaves, marking the full onset of winter dormancy.

North Wyke
The majority of trees have fully senesced. Evidence of rat activity was noted, with holes and tunnels visible, along with mole hills. A badger appears to be entering through the deer-proof fence and using the plot as a latrine. The canopy in healthy trees has shaded out most weeds.

Spotlight on Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus plots across the Biomass Connect sites remain largely healthy and vigorous, though some hubs reported minor frost or wind damage during November. Growth continues at several sites, and staking work is being carried out to protect trees from winter storms. Pest and disease pressures remain low overall.

Cockle Park
The Eucalyptus trees are still green and healthy, with no signs of disease or vertebrate damage. No insect damage was observed, and no pesticide or herbicide applications were made.

Boghall
Some further wind damage was noted, but only to trees that had already been weakened by previous storms earlier in the season.

Auchincruive
Minor wind damage was observed, affecting only dead trees. A winter tidy-up is planned for early December to clear debris and maintain site condition.

Headley Hall
Most trees remain upright and healthy, though some frost damage was recorded, with brown specks and patches appearing on leaves. Photos of the affected trees have been added to the shared drive.

Hillsborough
The Eucalyptus plots continue to look strong, with some new growth observed. Trees with support posts will need attention over the winter as ties loosen.

Aberystwyth
All trees have been staked to provide additional protection from storms. One tree was blown over during Storm Claudia, but no pest or disease issues were noted. Paths between plants were mown during the month.

Chesham
All Eucalyptus varieties appear healthy and have fully recovered from the earlier beetle infestation, showing substantial new growth.

North Wyke
Since the last visit in September, the Eucalyptus trees have put on significant growth. Some trees growing horizontally will need staking or removal if damaged. Mole activity was noted among the plots, though it does not appear to be harming the trees.

Spotlight on Poplar

Poplar plots across the Biomass Connect sites have now largely senesced, with most varieties dropping their leaves during November. A few varieties retained foliage into late autumn, but overall, the transition to dormancy is complete. Minor wind damage was reported at some sites, particularly to trees weakened by earlier storms, though structural integrity remains good. Weed control continues to hold well where treatments were applied earlier in the season.

Cockle Park
Most leaves have fallen across the Poplar plots, leaving bare stems. No signs of disease were observed, and no vertebrate damage was reported.

Boghall
The Poplar plots were mown on November 12th. One variety still retained dead leaves, while others were fully bare. No significant pest or disease issues were noted.

Auchincruive
A little wind damage was observed, mainly affecting trees weakened by previous storms and those that were top-heavy. Weeds remain under control, though a quick tidy-up is planned for winter.

Headley Hall
The majority of trees have dropped their leaves, with only a few still holding on. Overall, the plots are looking healthy and well-prepared for winter.

Hillsborough
Leaves remained on the A4A variety into late November, while all other varieties were bare. Grass cutting was completed during the month, and a few trees were restaked to maintain upright growth.

Aberystwyth
Significant leaf loss occurred during November, with no structural damage reported from recent storms. No pest or disease issues were observed.

Chesham
Among the Poplar varieties, some retained their leaves while others were fully bare. No signs of disease were observed across the plots.

North Wyke
Trees have all but senesced, and weed control from the July application continues to hold well. No major pest or disease issues were noted.

Spotlight on Miscanthus

Miscanthus crops across the Biomass Connect sites are now largely senesced, with Miscanthus giganteus showing more advanced leaf drop and browning than Miscanthus Athena. Athena generally remained greener and exhibited more flowering during November. Phenotyping was completed at several sites, and harvest preparations are underway for early 2026. Wind damage scattered leaves at some hubs, while wet conditions affected ground access in others.

Cockle Park
Phenotyping was completed in late October, and by November, M. giganteus retained only green tips while Athena remained noticeably greener. No pest or disease issues were observed, and no vertebrate damage was reported.

Boghall
Both M. giganteus and Athena have almost completely senesced, though Athena remains slightly greener. Data collection is scheduled for January, and inter-plot mowing remains on the to-do list.

Auchincruive
Both varieties are nearly fully senesced, with M. giganteus showing more wind damage and scattered leaves across the site. Quadrats are planned for January, with harvest scheduled for February.

Headley Hall
M. giganteus has senesced and turned brown, while Athena shows mixed senescence, with upper leaves browning and lower leaves retaining some green. Flowering was observed in Athena plots.

Hillsborough
M. giganteus remains slightly greener than Athena but is senescing well. Athena showed some lodging, making access more difficult. No management interventions were required.

Aberystwyth
M. giganteus has dropped most leaves, with minor lodging observed. Athena is beginning to senesce and has reached the flowering stage. Variety trials show wide variation in senescence and flowering, with some plots remaining green while others are fully brown.

Chesham
Both M. giganteus and Athena have fully senesced and turned brown, marking the end of the growing season.

North Wyke
Phenotyping was completed mid-November. M. giganteus is more advanced in senescence, while Athena remains greener and shows more flowering. Variety trials revealed uneven establishment in some 2024 plots, with sparse growth in yield areas.

Spotlight on Willow

Willow plots across the Biomass Connect sites have now largely senesced, with only a few varieties such as ‘Endurance’ retaining foliage into late November. Interrow mowing and strimming were completed at several hubs, and winter maintenance plans are in place. No major pest or disease issues were reported, though hare and deer activity was noted at some sites.

Cockle Park
The Willow plots are senescing, with most leaves dropped. Hare and deer damage were observed, though no rust symptoms were found. No pesticide or herbicide applications were made during the month.

Boghall
The Willow plots were strimmed and mown on November 19th, leaving the site tidy for winter. No pest or disease issues were reported.

Auchincruive
Willow plots are almost completely senesced, with only a few dead leaves clinging on. A perimeter tidy-up is planned for early December to remove dead willowherb and maintain site condition.

Headley Hall
Most Willow varieties have dropped their leaves, including ‘Endurance’, though this variety still retains a few leaves at the tops of stems. Bud formation for next year is visible across the plots. Some lodging was noted in the top right corner of the variety trial area.

Hillsborough
Leaves have fallen from most trees, apart from the top two metres of stems. The variety ‘Endurance’ still retains full foliage. No major pest or disease issues were observed.

Aberystwyth
Significant leaf loss occurred during November, with only a few varieties retaining foliage. No structural damage was reported from recent storms.

Chesham
Varietal differences are evident, with some cultivars still retaining foliage while others have fully shed their leaves. No signs of disease were observed.

North Wyke
Trees have all but senesced, apart from the variety ‘Endurance’, which still has some green leaves. Interrow mowing carried out in September continues to hold well.

Spotlight on Sida

Sida plots across the Biomass Connect sites have now fully senesced, leaving only bare stalks standing. Most sites reported clean understories with minimal weed pressure, and seed collection was completed where required. No pest or disease issues were noted during November.

Cockle Park
All Sida plants are dormant, with no leaves remaining. Some hare damage was observed, but no pesticide or herbicide applications were made.

Boghall
Rhizome plants have totally senesced, leaving only stalks. No additional management was carried out during the month.

Auchincruive
Sida plots are completely dead, with only stalks remaining. A hand rogueing of dead docks is planned as part of winter maintenance.

Headley Hall
Plants have fully senesced but are still holding onto their seeds. The understory remains clean and free of weeds.

Hillsborough
Sida is well senesced, with most plants reduced to single stems. A handful of seeds were collected during the month.

Aberystwyth
All plants are fully senesced, and most leaves have dropped. No pest or disease issues were observed.

Chesham
Sida has dropped all leaves, leaving only the stems remaining. No signs of disease were noted.

North Wyke
Sida plants have fully senesced. A hand rogue of larger weeds and a careful glyphosate application with the Herbidome is recommended for the next visit.

Spotlight on Reed Canary Grass

Reed Canary Grass plots across the Biomass Connect sites have now fully senesced, with no new growth expected until spring. Weed management was carried out at some hubs, and plans for reseeding are in place where establishment has been poor. No significant pest or disease issues were reported during November.

Cockle Park
The Reed Canary Grass is yellow with very little green remaining. No hare damage was observed, and no disease issues were reported. No pesticide or herbicide applications were made.

Boghall
The plots were sprayed on November 24th using knapsack and boom equipment with glyphosate at 2 l/ha to control weeds ahead of winter.

Auchincruive
Reed Canary Grass has fully senesced, and a resow is planned for spring 2026 to improve establishment.

Headley Hall
The grass is well senesced across the plot, and no signs of lodging were observed. Overall, the crop appears healthy going into winter.

Hillsborough
Reed Canary Grass is well senesced, making it easier to identify and manage weed grasses within the plots.

Aberystwyth
Plants have fully senesced, and no signs of pest or disease were observed during the month.

Chesham
No new growth is present, which is expected for this time of year. No pest or disease issues were noted.

North Wyke
The Reed Canary Grass is establishing fairly well, though an area in the middle of the plot has lodged. This may be due to weather or animal activity, possibly badgers. Yield measurements using quadrats will be carried out in the new year.

Spotlight on Switchgrass

Switchgrass plots across the Biomass Connect sites have now fully senesced, with little to no green growth remaining. Wet conditions were reported at some hubs, and weed control measures were implemented where time allowed. Plans for reseeding are in place at sites where establishment has been poor.

Cockle Park
Very little green remains in the Switchgrass plots, and growth is patchy. No hare damage was observed, and no disease issues were reported. No pesticide or herbicide applications were made during the month.

Boghall
The plots were sprayed on November 24th using knapsack and boom equipment with glyphosate at 2 l/ha to control weeds ahead of winter.

Auchincruive
Switchgrass has fully senesced, and a resow is planned for spring 2026 to improve establishment.

Headley Hall
The area has fully senesced, with limited growth recorded across the plot this year. No pest or disease issues were noted.

Hillsborough
No Switchgrass crop is present at this site.

Aberystwyth
Plants have senesced, and some areas of the plot are very wet with standing water. No pest or disease issues were observed.

Chesham
No new growth is present, which is expected for this time of year. No signs of disease were noted.

North Wyke
A glyphosate application was planned but could not be completed due to time constraints and weather conditions. A spring application is scheduled to allow reseeding of the area.