About the event

The Native Black Poplar ('NBP') (Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia) is a member of the Salicaceae family. It is dioecious and is thought either to be native or to have recolonised Britain some 7,500 years ago. Historically it was associated with riverside woodland and floodplains, being relatively fast-growing and short-lived, and is one of Britain's largest and most charismatic trees, with a distinctive, untidy silhouette, often with a heavy lean and down-sweeping lower branches.

Although once an iconic landscape tree (featured in Constable's The Haywain), it is now considered one of Britain's most endangered trees, variously as a result of agricultural drainage; the female trees producing copious downy seed leading to them often being cut down; and the specific conditions required for them to reproduce naturally (fertilised seeds of male and female trees need to bare, wet alluvial soils free of vegetative competition from June to October). Precise numbers are unknown but likely at best to be in the region of 10-20,000 individuals, with a very low proportion of females.

The genetic base of the surviving population is dangerously narrow: Forest Research advise that there are only approximately 150 unique clones in Britain. Propagation is now almost exclusively by cuttings from the existing known clones. NBPs hybridise easily with other poplars, placing the remnant population at further risk, and hybrids are often planted mistakenly labelled as NBPs.

The NBP's range extends primarily from Manchester to Lincolnshire, with significant populations in East Anglia, London, Vale of Aylesbury, Sussex, Gloucester, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the Welsh Borders, Cheshire and Manchester (inter alia).

Over 100 insects are associated with the species, including rare moths and butterflies; early catkins provide nectar. The timber has fire resistant and shock absorbing qualities, and historically was used for cart wheels, wagon bottoms, floorboards and clogs; trees were often pollarded for poles.

The current plight of the NBP was first highlighted in the 1970's and -80's by Edgar Milne-Redhead, whose work led to the Daily Telegraph's Great Black Poplar Hunt in 1994. A number of organisations came together in the early 2000's with a view to coordinating a national conservation project, but this failed to develop apparently due to and absence of sustainable funding and personnel changes.

Coordination between two small-scale conservation projects, coincidentally started in 2021 in Suffolk and Norfolk, together with interest from the National Trust, led to the organisation of a National Conference at NT Calke Abbey, Derbyshire, in April 2024, with attendees from DEFRA, Forest Research, The Tree Council, NT, Wildlife Trusts, The European NBP Genome Project, Tree Warden Networks and others. The conference identified a number of vibrant (but stand-alone) ongoing local conservation projects, including breeding, propagation, planting and surveying, and widespread enthusiasm amongst participants to continue and expand areas of cooperation. Work is now underway to develop a national conservation project.

David Appleton is Suffolk Black Poplar Project Leader and a Tree Warden with the Suffolk Tree Warden Network. 

This Wildlife Live Webinar is part of a series of online events on a range of wildlife topics. It is scheduled to last approximately one and a half hours, including a presentation plus a questions & answers session. Suffolk Wildlife Trust uses the Zoom platform for its webinars and, when you book, you will receive simple instructions on how to join the event from the comfort of your own home. When booking, please input the same email you will be using on the night. Subtitles are available.

(photo courtesy of David Appleton)

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Please ensure you enter your email correctly when booking as we will use this email to send you the links you need to join the Wildlife Live Webinar via Zoom. Your confirmation details and Zoom access will be specific to the email you submit. If you have any issues with booking your place or receiving the follow-up email, please contact us on networks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org.

All places are non-refundable. Full Terms & Conditions are available on our website via this link.