BLACK POPLAR TREES
The black poplar ( Populus nigra ssp betulifolia ) is Britain's rarest native timber tree. The black poplar is endangered in Sussex and most of Britain. There are now only 33 mature black poplar trees in Sussex.
Centuries ago black poplar would have occurred naturallly in floodplain woodlands. Unfortunately, natually functioning floodplain woodlands are almost an extinct habitat, so this tree only survives through plantings and cuttings.
Reasons for its decline and current threats
Black poplar has historically prized as a timber tree. However, black poplars grow slower than some foreign poplars, and around 200 years ago they were replaced with faster growing non native poplars. Very few trees have been planted since the mid 1800s. Very few trees germinate naturally because a male and a female tree need to be close together, and in perfect natural conditions in order for the seeds to germinate. Black poplars easily hybridise with non-native poplars.
Nowadays, the main threat to the tree is the continued draining of wetlands, and the over-management of our rivers and floodplains. The poplar scab Venturia populina is also a threat to black poplar in certain areas of the country (Manchester).
Black poplar facts
- The black poplar was reputed for its relative resistance to fire and was often used for floorboards (particularly in Oast houses) and around fireplaces
- The tree was often used as a marker between land boundaries in flood plains
- The natural springiness of the wood meant it was used for clogs and cart wheels
- The wood can absorb paraffin and was used to make matches
- It is also very resistant to rot, and the branches often grow in a curve, which made it excellent for building timber framed buildings
- Black poplars have male and female trees
- Black poplars like to grow in wet areas like river floodplains
- Black poplars in Britain and Europe are all very closely genetically related. This makes them vunerable to extinction.
Black poplar spotting - field survey hints
The leaves are triangular, longer than they are wide, with the widest part below the middle. They usually have blunt 'teeth', and they lack the two tiny glands where the leaf joins the stalk which is common in hybrids.
Black poplar images by David Plummer
