blackpoplar

commonlime

S p o t t h e D i f f e r e n c e

Black poplar – Are very rare nationally and difficult to identify. They usually have burrs and

deeply fissured dark grey bark, and can grow up to 30m tall.

They have triangular leaves that are pale when young but become dark

green as they mature. This deciduous tree can often be found leant at an angle and the

ends of the branches are characteristically upswept unlike other poplars. Poplars can be confused with the common lime which has an asymmetrical leaf, whereas the black poplar has a triangular leaf.

Lombardy poplar – These very tall, columnar trees are often used as wind breaks and screens. They can reach heights of over 35m and tolerate soot and smoke very well.

Aspen – This tree is famous for the rustling sound of the leaves; aspen is a quick growing, deciduous tree and can reach heights of over 30m. Found in woodlands, on wasteland and abandoned quarries.

White poplar – Commonly known for the white undersides of its foliage and the whispering that they cause in the wind. They can reach heights of over 35m. It is often found on road sides and near the sea due to its tolerance of salt.

Golden poplar – An uncommon and ornamental hybrid Black poplar reaching up to 30m high with a dense, domed habit and late

flushing golden foliage.

f u r t h e r i n f o r m at i o n

The Forestry Commission - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCIN057.pdf/$FILE/FCIN057.pdf

The Woodland Trust - http://www.british-trees.com/treeguide/poplars/nhmsys0000461971.htm Poplar trees - http://www.2020site.org/trees/poplar.html Royal Parks - http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/Richmond-Park.aspx?page=wildlife London Black Poplar Species Action Plan - http://www.lbp.org.uk/downloads/Publications/SpeciesInfo/Black%20Poplar%20LBAPRevised.pdf Richmond Black Poplar Species Action Plan - http://www.swlen.org.uk

This leaflet has been produced by the Richmond Biodiversity Partnership and funded by Richmond Council. © Richmond Biodiversity Partnership 2011. Text by Harriett Dearman, The Royal Parks and Jamie Simpson on behalf of Richmond Biodiversity Partnership. Photographs by Jamie Simpson.

c o n S e r vat i o n & h o w t o g e t i n v o lv e D

Wild black poplars aredeclining in the UK.There are a number ofcontributing factors thathave lead to this decline:

The loss of natural river systems which has resulted in a lack of suitable habitat needed for natural regeneration The Introduction of pests and diseases The large population of hybrid trees means that seeds from female trees are very likely to be hybridised The lack of native male trees in close proximity to native females means there is little opportunity for natural fertilisation

Black poplars are now protected under Section 13 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which prohibits the unauthorised uprooting of any wild plant species. They also gain protection from the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 when a black poplar grows within a hedgerow. Conservation schemes are increasing to help

protect this rare species. There is an interest in the re-establishment of floodplain habitats,

including floodplain woodlands which are a main habitat for black poplar. There are concerns over river flooding and natural flood defences such as tree species including black poplar are being investigated.

R I C H M O N DB I O D I V E R S I T YPA R T N E R S H I P

Please contact us if you need this in Braille, large print, audio tape, or another language on 0845 612 2660.

Richmond Biodiversity Partnership, c/o Parks and Open Spaces, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham TW1 3BZwww.richmond.gov.uk/biodiversity

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a b o u t b l a c k p o p l a r

The black poplar is a large fast growing tree whose trunk and limbs look very dark on an overcast day. It was previously a species of floodplain woodland; however the current distribution is limited to remote and isolated specimens in wet meadows, along hedgerows, beside ponds and close to rivers. During the 17th and 18th centuries black poplar timber was in high demand because of its valuable properties. However, a collapse in the demand has caused numbers to decline over the last 200 years and the black poplar is now one of the rarest native trees in the UK. There are so few wild black poplars left that they have not reproduced naturally for centuries due to a lack of suitable seed germinating conditions. Their rarity makes them unlikely to pollinate each other and they are susceptible to cross pollination from other poplar species.

There are around 7000 wild black poplars located in Britain and female trees are extremely rare with only 600 nationally. Due to intensive river management over the last few centuries and the resultant loss of suitable seed germinating habitat, wild trees have not reproduced naturally for over 200 years.

Their rarity also makes them unlikely to pollinate each other and they are more susceptible to cross pollination from other poplar species. Recent planting has been carried out using

vegetative cuttings and consequently genetic diversity is

very low in the remaining population which represents human planting

preferences rather than natural distribution.

b l a c k p o p l a r i n r i c h m o n D

The Richmond borough has more black poplars than any other London Borough. Kew Gardens has a range of trees that were grown from cuttings across the country, Richmond Park also has veteran female poplars as well as many more recent plantings. The black poplar population situated along the Thames at Barnes is considered one of the most important nationally. This is due to the large amount of veteran females, which are most likely to be the part of a relic natural population. There are however both veteran and mature trees located around other areas in the borough.

The Royal Parks have initiated a propagation programme using cuttings from 4 female veteran trees in Richmond Park and other local genetic clones which are grown in the nursery at the Isabella Plantation. These young trees are distributed by partners at various sites around the borough, particularly along the Thames. The local species action plan recognises the need to do further research to identify the diversity of genetic clones present in the borough and propagate these as well.

fa c t S a b o u t b l a c k p o p l a r

The tree was often used as a marker between land boundaries in flood plains

Its resistance to fire meant it was often used for floorboards around fireplaces

The wood can absorb paraffin and was used to make matches

In Greek mythology the black poplar was created when Phaeton’s sisters made such a nuisance of themselves mourning his death, that the gods turned them into black poplars

Places to see Black Poplar in Richmond Borough(please refer to the map)

WWT London Wetland Centre www.wwt.org.uk

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew www.kew.org

The Royal Parks – Richmond Park www.royalparks.org.uk

Ham Lands

Barnes Common

Marble Hill Park, Meadowside

Barnes towpath

Historic Royal Palaces – Barge Walk www.hrp.org.uk