Press release
SAVING THE ENDANGERED BLACK POPLAR
20 January 2009
As part of a national effort to conserve the native black poplar tree, students from the West Somerset Community College will be working closely with The Crown Estate, Dunster and Triscombe Nurseries to arrest the decline seen in the local area over the last century.
The black poplar is an extremely attractive feature of the current landscape, with mature specimens found in hedgerows and along stream-sides, particularly in low lying, wetter areas. It is also a useful tree, with its wood traditionally being used for carts, scaffold poles and fence posts.
The trees have been in serious decline over the last century, and the species is now classed as endangered due to a loss of suitable wetland habitat and mature specimens not being replaced through new planting.
Andy Player, Countryside Ranger for The Crown Estate’s Dunster estate explained: “It is a shame to think that these little recognised, but important trees will soon be as rare as traditional orchards. They may even be lost entirely from the local landscape. The Crown Estate places a high priority on the protection and enhancement of woodland biodiversity at Dunster and this project is one of several initiatives to manage and maintain native woodland features on the estate.”
Community College students and staff from Triscombe nurseries have been taking cuttings from mature black poplars at Dunster to help secure the future of the trees locally. By taking the cuttings, it will be possible to provide replacement trees for local growers and ultimately safeguard the future of the species.
The project is being supported by Triscombe Nurseries and the cuttings should be ready for the next planting season. Further cuttings will also be taken in subsequent years.
The scheme is in-line with Natural England species action plans and is part of a wider project to record, monitor and advance the extent of the species.
If you are hoping to plant a tree in low lying areas of West Somerset, and are interested in planting black poplar, please contact Andy Player at The Crown Estate, Dunster on 01643 821 309.
Further Information
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