"It is a dramatically handsome tree. The trunk is massive and fissured, covered with bosses and burs, and often developing a decided lean in middle age. The branches turn down towards the ends, then sweep up again into twigs which, once the voluptuous crimson catkins have fallen, carry dense switches of shiny, beech-shaped leaves." (Richard Mabey, 1996)

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To protect existing trees and encourage restoration in appropriate locations through planned planting.

To inform and educate landowners, managers and the public about black poplars.

To ascertain, maintain and increase a diverse age structure and genetic diversity of the London population.

2.    Introduction

Until recently the black poplar (Populus. nigra ssp. betulifolia) was largely a forgotten tree. It was just assumed to be one of the many types of hybrid poplars that are visible, often in rows, in many urban landscapes.

Black poplars are usually found in wet areas, typically along side streams and rivers. They are characterised by their large, often leaning and ungainly appearance with massively arching, down-curved branches and heavily burred trunks as Mabey describes above. In the spring, the male and female trees produce red and green catkins respectively. Although generally neater in appearance, hybrid black poplars are often mistaken for the now rare native black poplar.

In the past, black poplar wood has been used in mill buildings and for brake blocks, as it is heat and fire resistant. Its shock absorbent properties were exploited in wagon bottoms and it was used to make rifle butts in the First World War. Thin branches from pollarded black poplars have been used for hurdles and fruit baskets in place of hazel and willow.

An action plan is needed for black poplars because of their rarity, generally elderly age profile and likely inability to reproduce sexually due to genetic pollution from hybrid poplars. They will probably be reliant for some time on the planting of cuttings.

black poplar © Alan Holmes

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