Hub Site Update – Newcastle University Cockle Park Farm – October 2023

10 November 2023

October 2023 – Hub Site Update

Crop observation made by hub site staff during October.

Demo plot SRF

  • Alder Is growing ok.
    Black locust ‘Turbo’ is doing fine but there are gaps due to hare grazing before the fence was put up.
  • Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ has suffered from early grazing.
SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2023

SRF Alder at Cockle Park Farm, October 2023

SRF Poplar

  • Poplar plants are growing fine.
  • 12 plants look to have died.
  • Low level weeds are present in the plot
  • Some leaves are getting damaged by tree guards.
Evidence of leaf damage by tree guard in SRF Poplar.

Evidence of leaf damage by tree guard in SRF Poplar.

SRF Eucalyptus

  • Plants are growing fine; however, 23 plants seem to have died.
  • There are some low-level weeds to control next growing season.

SRC Poplar

  • Establishment is good.
  • Rust is appearing on some plants.
  • Low level weeds have been found but no need to control until next growing season.
Rust observed on SRC Poplar leaf.

Rust observed on SRC Poplar leaf.

SRC Willow

  • Lots of gaps due to problems with the planter used.
  • Overall poorer growth across the site.

Miscanthus Giganteus

  • Growing well.
  • There is one area which needs to be replanted next season.
  • Low level of weeds, no need to control it until next season.
Miscanthus Giganteus

Miscanthus Giganteus

Miscanthus Athena

  • Poor establishment.
  • Plant count has been made as shown below.
    • Q 1= 17 Plants 17 x 400= 6800 plants/ ha
    • Q 2= 17 Plants, 6800 plants/ha
    • Q 3= 20 Plants, 8000 plants/ha
Quadrats used to make an establishment count in the 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena.

Quadrats used to make an establishment count in the 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena.

Grasses Demo plot

  • Reed Canary Grass was not planted this autumn and conditions are now unlikely to be dry enough.
  • The site is weed-free and sat in furrows.

General

  • The aisles between crops have been sown with grass and clover mix.

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