Press Release
PRESERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES IN DUNSTER
21 December 2009
The future of the endangered Black Poplar (Populus nigra ssp. Betulifolia) is being safeguarded by conservation efforts led by The Crown Estate in the Dunster Forest.
The Black Poplar has been in decline for the last 200 years and is now rarer than the Giant Panda with around 2,500 trees known to exist in Britain. Dunster Forest is one of the last remaining strongholds for the tree.
The Crown Estate are using National Tree Week (25 November to 6 December) to raise awareness of the initiative and will be taking cuttings from one of their veteran 18th century, native black poplars.
Andy Player, Countryside Ranger for The Crown Estate’s Dunster Estate said: “The Crown Estate places a high priority on the protection and enhancement of woodland biodiversity. Until quite recently virtually no native black poplars had been planted since the mid 1800s. As a result most mature trees are old and in poor condition. If nothing is done we will lose them altogether.”
Students from West Somerset Community College will work under the guidance of staff from Triscombe Nurseries. The cuttings will be grown on in pots by Triscombe nurseries and the West Somerset Community College at their new rural skills centre just outside Minehead.
Once mature, the cuttings will be planted back into suitable landscapes, where the trees can mature. Last year over 200 cuttings were taken which are now thriving in various locations across the local area.
The Dunster Estate office (01643 821 309) will provide local residents and businesses with more information on how to source native black poplar for local planting schemes.
Further Information
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