Magnificent figures in the Suffolk skyline for centuries, black poplars are known for their distinctive downward-sweeping lower branches and upward reaching twigs. They grow to around 40m in height, 6m in girth in their 200-to-400-year lifespan and the wonderful gnarled trunks of veteran trees, covered with bosses and burrs, provide habitat for all sorts of insects. 

In terms of biodiversity, native black poplars provide a food source for moth caterpillars, rare butterflies as well as native poplar leaf beetles and other insects. Birds such as finches benefit from their seeds, while their crowns offer nesting areas.

Yet, these beautiful trees have been reducing in number over the years, due to habitat degradation (they love wet grounds like flood plains, riverbanks and ponds, which have been hit by highly effective drainage of the land), introduction of hybrid poplars viewed as more commercially lucrative and felling of veteran trees. The black poplar readily hybridises with other poplar species, depleting its numbers further still.

However, according to David Appleton Suffolk Black Poplar Project Leader and a Tree Warden with the Suffolk Tree Warden Network, word is now spreading of the importance of the native black poplar and therefore its value to our countryside.

In addition to its wonderful benefits for wildlife, their species also has properties making it a suitable human resource. In the Wildlife Live Webinar on October 16th, David outlined that EUFORGEN (European Forest Genetic Resources Programme) has found that the black poplar is renowned for its vegetative regeneration and rapid growth, which makes it a suitable crop for bioenergy and for pulp and paper production. Owing to its environmental plasticity, it can also be used for soil protection and afforestation in polluted industrial zones (according to recent S. African studies). Black poplar also provides forest ecosystem services, including soil stabilization and watershed protection.

Now, a growing number of enthusiasts and organisations are developing robust breeding programmes to preserve the stock of native black poplars. In Suffolk, a new black poplar nursery was set-up in 2022 and now black poplar plants are distributed  to landowners, conservation groups, and other organisations.

If you are interested in planting a black poplar or two, saplings are available to plant on suitable land. To find out more contact networks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org. 

Have you seen a tree you suspect to be a black poplar in your area? You can contribute to the conservation of this magnificent tree by making note of it’s location (using a 10 digit grid reference - www.gridreferencefinder.com) and emailing coordinator@suffolktreewardens.org.uk with information, photos are always beneficial too!

To support the native black poplar, you can also let us know of any likely locations for planting (with landowners’ permission) and make donations to the Suffolk Black Poplar Project, via www.suffolktreewardens.org.uk or contact networks@suffolkwildlifetrust.org for more details.

Our Wildlife Live Webinar series continues, via Zoom, with topics such as Marine Wildlife, Dormice, East Anglian Habitats, Insects, Geodiversity and Turtle Doves among others.

Click here to see the full programme and book your places.