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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 54
Updating the Suffolk database for Native Black Poplars (Populus nigra var. betulifolia) As Winter arrives, it is likely that some of Suffolk’s mature trees may be damaged or blown over by strong winds. Although many species of trees are widespread, there are only 290 known locations for Native Black Poplars in Suffolk and only 120 are of a known genetic type. Some of these trees have not been checked for 20 years so the SBIS record may be archived unless the tree is known to still be present. Where someone can visit the fallen tree or branch before it is removed, cuttings taken over winter usually strike roots quite easily if kept wet until the Spring; this is a common method of regenerating new saplings for one of Britain’s rarest native trees and ensures this iconic species is available for planting out into the wider countryside in suitably wet and open locations. The native Black poplar was formerly a component of floodplain woodland but now occurs as isolated specimens in wet meadows, along hedgerows, beside farm ponds and near to rivers (Plate 3). It has not reproduced naturally for many centuries and its current distribution reflects the once common practise of striking cuttings around farms. It has been in decline for the last 200 years and is now rare with as there are thought to be less than 8,000 mature specimens in Britain. Most surviving trees have reached old age and mortality rates are high and Suffolk has a significant proportion of the British population, especially the rarer female trees. Each one is precious and updating the Suffolk database relies on local eyes and ears across the county to report of any losses to me as the County Recorder for Suffolk’s native black poplars - I can’t hope to achieve this on my own. In the past year, East Anglian Daily Times have kindly publicised the need for resurveys and several readers have volunteered to check their local Native Black Poplars. However many more trees on the database need survey visits to provide an updated picture for this species in Suffolk. A new partnership for 2019 is now planned with Suffolk Tree Wardens who are keen to assist with a project to survey known locations of the mature trees on the county database. It will be a huge challenge but the aim is to see if the recorded Native Black Poplars are still present and alive or dead/gone or they may be growing from the base again. This project will be a big step forward for conserving this species in Suffolk and it is hoped that wherever possible, landowners will be encouraged to take cuttings from their trees before they disappear. New saplings planted out near to mature trees are always best as this means the location is suitable for the young trees to grow to maturity and allow their distinctive silhouette to remain on Suffolk’s skyline hopefully for the next hundred years. If anyone would like to assist with updating the native Black Poplar database for Suffolk, I’d be pleased to hear from you. Sue Hooton County Recorder for Native Black Poplars blackpoplar@sns.org.uk
Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 54 (2018)
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S. Hooton
GALL WASP NEW TO SUFFOLK
Plate 3: A mature native Black Poplar Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia in Mid Suffolk (p. 32). Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 54 (2018)