The Decline of Black Poplar Trees in the UK
Trees in the UK have long been marginalised. Habitat destruction, making space for agriculture or living or using wood for energy and building has ravished the UK's woodlands. Now that our woodlands are hanging on by a thread, diseases are eliminating what we realise we like and need more of a little too late.
Amongst the rare, Black Poplars are a scarce tree indeed in the UK. There are less than 7,000 in the entire UK.
Recognising the rarity of this native tree and the value that native species hold after millennia of adapting to environmental conditions and vice versa, Protect Earth has always made space for Black Poplars, planting them when appropriate. And we have taken the right approach to planting these trees, as 80% of what we have planted has survived.
Let's look a little closer at Black Poplars, why they are now considered a rare and endangered species, future challenges, and Protect Earth's efforts to stabilise Black Poplar populations.
What happened to the Black Poplar tree?
The Black Poplar thrives in dense soil and moist environments. The tree's name derives from its grey-brown bark, which frequently takes on a blackish hue as it ages. The twisted trunk showcases distinctive burls and tuberous protrusions, while the deeply fissured bark imparts an air of venerability to the tree. Some will look especially venerable as Black Poplars can live to 200 years!
Three main factors have ravaged Black Poplar tree populations in the UK. Once upon a time, they were used in construction and manufacturing. Then, the Victorians discovered faster-growing non-native trees and cleared Black Poplar to make room and never cared about planting Black Poplar elsewhere.
Black Poplars fell further down the poplar-ity (excuse the pun) ladder because of the downy seeds females produce (there is one more factor we'll reveal later).
Centuries ago, Black Poplar wood use in buildings and various products was widespread. Because of its fire-resistant properties, the wood was the preferred choice for constructing wooden-framed houses. Its shock-resistant nature made it suitable for carts and floorboards. Possessing a fine texture and nearly white colour, the wood, with its ability to absorb paraffin, was the preferred choice for making matches. Victorians favoured the wood to make clothes pegs, and the timber was used to craft artificial limbs, wine cases, pallets, shelving, and toys.
However, the past two centuries witnessed the displacement of native Black Poplars by fast-growing trees introduced from abroad. The decline in demand led to a decreased incentive to plant more Black Poplar, replacing felled numbers.
Additionally, Black Poplars require specific conditions for natural reproduction, limiting their ability to stabilise numbers. Notably, Black Poplar are dioecious, meaning a tree produces either male or female gametes. The female Black Poplar's downy seeds were viewed as a nuisance, resulting in female trees being pulled down, worsening the current population crisis.
The Black Poplar landscape today
Today, Black Poplars are mainly found in Shropshire, Cheshire, Somerset, and East Anglia. This rare species grows in isolation, particularly in marshy environments near ditches and floodplains.
Over the centuries, due to excessive harvesting, the prioritisation of other species, and its perception as a troublesome plant, the population of wild Black Poplars in Britain has dwindled to around 7,000. And now for the final factor making Black Poplar stabilisation efforts difficult - disease. Poplar species are susceptible to fungal diseases, including cankers, leaf rusts, and poplar scab. According to the Forestry Commission, the Black Poplar is the most endangered native timber tree in Britain. Among these 7,000, only 600 are female trees. Given the scarcity of wild Black Poplars (especially females), the likelihood of self-pollination is low. Instead, the task falls upon nursery-grown Black Poplars to regenerate the population.
The risks extend beyond losing the Black Poplar itself, as numerous other species rely on it for sustenance and habitat. Caterpillars of various moths, such as the hornet, wood leopard, poplar hawk, and figure of eight, feed on the Black Poplar. The catkins serve as an early source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects, while the seeds become a food source for birds.
Protect Earth successfully planting Black Poplar
Protect Earth has championed the Black Poplar, having planted 935 trees over the last three years. Ever mindful of matching the right tree to the right conditions, we can confidently report that 80% of the 935 are still growing strongly, showing no signs of doing anything else.
We want to continue introducing more Black Poplar where conditions are suitable in future planting projects. As this cycle continues, we hope to bring Black Poplars back to their original footprint across the UK through our efforts and enough male/ female trees for natural propagation to occur.
To sum up
Black Poplars were once favourited and then fell from grace - both of these factors contribute to their low population numbers today. With the Black Poplar population at risk and struggling, disease is continuing to cause worry and strain on this tree's total population with predictions on an already fragile natural UK.
Protect Earth is working to help this threatened species by giving it space in planting projects where we identify it will fit and where we are confident of survival. Our evidence-based instincts are proving right with an exceptionally high 80% survival rate.
Black Poplar is the UK's most endangered native timber tree. Help us reverse this by contributing to our land purchasing pot where we can buy space to plant more Black Poplars.
