|
|
Walking & Cycling
Native Black Poplar
|
|
|
 While you're out and about on two legs or two wheels, take a look out for the native Black Poplar tree.
The River Colne Countryside Project in partnership with its
sister project on the Stour Valley has been seeking to re-establish the
distinctive and elegant tree, the Native Black Poplar, (Populus nigra, sub species betulifolia).
Known as Britain’s rarest timber tree, the tree was
originally a common component of flood plains, river banks and other wet
areas. The specialised conditions of
unmanaged riverbanks of hundreds of years ago led to successful germination as
the seed of the tree needs to lie on undisturbed wet mud from June to October. It is doubtful if any successful natural
reproduction has occurred for hundreds of years due to the isolation of
remaining examples.
Its presence today is due to the economic value of the timber
it produces. It’s flexible,
non-combustible and load bearing qualities led it to being used in the
construction of buildings, brake blocks and even arrows on the Mary Rose.
Markets for this type of use have largely disappeared, but
the gnarled bark provides a home for a wide range of insects and the
distinctive sweeping branches and lean make this an important element of
lowland English countryside in terms of wildlife habitat and landscape feature.
20 years ago experts were predicting that the tree could
become extinct. Interested groups came
together to save this tree. In the
Colne and Stour Valleys cuttings from mature specimens have been taken, DNA
tested, and grown on. Over the past few
years many new trees have been planted out and the Project continues to look
for new sites to plant this magnificent tree.
If you think you may know of an appropriate site and would
like to help, contact the River Colne Countryside Project who may be able to
offer a tree for planting and help conserve one of Britain’s rarest trees.
Simon Amstutz
Project Officer,
River Colne Countryside Project
simon.amstutz@colchester.gov.uk
07702 918980
|
|
|
|
