Planting for the Future: A Rare Opportunity to Help Save the Black Poplar At Bere Marsh Farm, nestled along the River Stour in Dorset, a vital project is taking root this winter. We’re excited to announce cuttings from the UK's rarest native timber tree, the black poplar, are ready to be planted and we are calling for people to come and collect them. There are only around 7,000 black poplar (Populus nigra subsp betufolia) trees in the country. Even more concerning, only around 600 of these trees are female - making the preservation of this species crucial. At Bere Marsh Farm, we’re fortunate to have two black poplars on-site—one male and one female. The male tree, planted by the late Angela Hughes, who owned the farm before the CRT, stands proudly outside Bere Marsh Cottage, while the female tree is along the riverbank. There are also others nearby across the road and along the River Stour. Male black poplar tree at Bere Marsh Farm, planted by the late Angela Hughes Saplings at Bere Marsh Farm ready to be collected. Black poplar is a dioecious species, which means male and female catkin flowers are found on separate trees. Male catkins are red and female catkins are yellowy green. The flowers are pollinated by the wind and female catkins then develop into fluffy cotton-like seeds, which fall in late summer. The black poplar can be identified by its deeply fissured bark, triangular leaves and spreading branches often with up-turned tips. They thrive in boggy terrain and wetland habitats and Bere Marsh Farm provides perfect growing conditions for this water loving tree, because the farm is regularly flooded by the River Stour. Black poplars can live for 200 years and reach 30 metres in height. Help Grow the Next Generation This winter, we’re taking an important step towards preserving this species. Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and the support of Trees for Wimborne, we have 35 cuttings ready to plant from our male black poplar. These cuttings will be distributed to people around Dorset and further afield, who are interested in growing their own black poplars. The CRT's Dorset Conservation Officer Jenny Ashdown said: “The tree was tested by Trees for Wimborne and found to be native, a subspecies betulifolia, and male. Black poplars easily hybridise with other species of poplar, producing hybrids. Our volunteers took 200 cuttings and 35 are now ready to go out. We will have more in the future. "Material was recently taken from the other tree on the farm by a project being run collaboratively by Trees for Wimborne and Trees for Dorset. This was tested and confirmed that it is also native (Populus nigra subsp betufolia) and cutting material was taken to grow on. The saplings we have now, grown from the male tree, are a vital part of the project, and they’re ready to be shared with those eager to help.” Black poplar flowers Dorset Conservation Officer Jenny Ashdown Why Does This Matter? The key to saving the black poplar lies in spreading them across the country and increasing the genetic diversity of the population. By distributing the cuttings to different locations, we reduce the risk of a single pest wiping out the entire population. The more diverse the gene pool, the stronger the population will be. Hopefully Bere Marsh Farm will play a role in spreading these trees further afield. “Through collaborations like this, we’re increasing awareness and encouraging a broader effort to help protect and replant black poplars. Swapping cuttings with Trees for Wimborne helps to further expand the genetic diversity,” said Jenny. How You Can Get Involved If you’re interested in planting a black poplar, there are a few things to keep in mind. These trees thrive in wet, boggy ground and can grow to be quite large. It’s essential to plant them in a space that can accommodate their size, ideally at least a few miles away from Bere Marsh to help diversify the gene pool. We need to know roughly where you plan to plant it, so we can map the locations and track the spread of these important trees. While black poplars can be coppiced (cut back to encourage new growth), this needs careful management to keep them healthy and thriving. Thanks to Our Supporters We’d also like to extend our thanks to the Blandford Rotary Club, whose generous donation has provided tree guards to protect the cuttings and help them thrive in their new homes. To cover the costs of compost and potting, we ask for £10 for each cutting. Looking Ahead At the CRT we’re just beginning this journey to reintroduce the black poplar to the local landscape. By planting these trees, we’re not only preserving a rare species but also contributing to a healthier, more resilient ecosystem for future generations. • Please note for the current set of cuttings, we have now had enough enquiries to find homes for them all. Thank you everyone for your support and getting in touch to help us with this project. More ways to support us If you want to help us protect local wildlife in other ways you can join as a CRT Friend, attend our in-person and online events and volunteer on one of our farms. You can also sign-up to our monthly newsletter 'CRT News' for regular updates from our farms, straight to your inbox. Join Events Volunteer News Published: December 2024 Manage Cookie Preferences