October 2024 – SRUC Auchincruive Demonstrator Hub Update
At the Auchincruive Demonstration Hub, crops have been showing natural seasonal transitions, with many entering senescence. Miscanthus giganteus remains thick and dense but is starting to brown from the bottom, while Miscanthus Athena™ has also begun senescing alongside the dying off of weeds. Eucalyptus trees remain robust and healthy, including recovery among previously droopy trees. Poplar and Willow exhibit varying stages of senescence, with some branches damaged by storm Ashley but no major structural issues. Alder is browning but holding onto its leaves, and Black Locust shows significant leaf drop. Birds have been observed among the Miscanthus and Willow, highlighting biodiversity benefits at the site.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- The SRF Alder have started to senesce.
- Most leaves are brown and crunchy.
- The trees are currently hanging on to their leaves.
- Alder at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Alder at Ayrshire, October 2024
Black Locust
- About 60% of the SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ trees have completely dropped their leaves.
- Other trees are yellowing and in the process of dropping leaves.
- Black Locust at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Black Locust at Ayrshire, October 2024
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus is still big, green, and healthy
- The droopy E. denticulata trees in the bottom left corner seem to have recovered a bit.
- Eucalyptus at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Eucalyptus at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Eucalyptus at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Eucalyptus at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Eucalyptus at Ayrshire, October 2024
Poplar
- The SRF poplar is in varying stages of senescence. Most trees still have all their leaves, but all have started to brown/drop. Some snapped branches from storm Ashley (just branches, not trunks)
- The SRC poplar trees are in varying stages of senescence, some trees are completely bare.
- The Italian poplar is also in varying stages of senescence.
- SRF Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRF Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRC Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRC Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Italian Poplar at Ayrshire, October 2024
Miscanthus
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus is still very thick and dense (and green), but senescence is starting from the bottom. Lots of little birds have been seen within the plot.
- The 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena™ is now senescing. The weeds (willowherb) have died as well.
- Miscanthus giganteus at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Miscanthus Athena™ at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Miscanthus Athena™ at Ayrshire, October 2024
Willow
- The 0.5 ha SRC willow is in various stages of senescence.
- Lots of little birds have been seen within the plot.
- There are a couple of snapped branches around the edges – looks like storm damage rather than grazing.
- SRC Willow at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRC Willow at Ayrshire, October 2024
- SRC Willow at Ayrshire, October 2024
Sida
- Most of the sida plants are still upright.
- Some are completely bare, some are still hanging on to leaves.
- Sida at Ayrshire, October 2024
- Sida at Ayrshire, October 2024
Reed Canary Grass
- Some emergence has been noted in the reed canary grass plot.
- Reed Canary Grass Emergence?
- Reed Canary Grass Emergence?
Switchgrass
- Some emergence has been noted in the switchgrass plot.
- Switchgrass emergence?