Hub Site Update – NIAB Headley Hall – May 2023

April and May 2023 – Hub Site Update

• Land preparation was completed ahead of planting, this included glysophate spray on the plots where poplar and bare-root varieties were to be planted.
• The area for Miscanthus variety trials was power-harrowed prior to their planting day scheduled for the 17^th of April.
• The planting teams from Rothamsted Research arrived on the 16^th of April with bare-root planting material. Plots were marked out. Also, some spot spraying of weeds was undertaken prior to planting to help prevent competition from the weeds.
• Planting was undertaken on the 17^th by the Rothamsted team and the NIAB team.
• Alder, both Black Locust varieties, Eucalyptus and SRF Poplar were planted on the 17^th.
• The team returned on the 18^th to plant the SRC Poplar plot.
• The NIAB team subsequently installed tree guards on the Alder, Eucalyptus and SRF Poplar.
• The NIAB team also cut back the Black Locust plants as per instructions.
• Several hares have been spotted, so fencing will be needed to protect the young plants.

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