Native Black Poplar

Friends of Coy Pond are privileged to continue supporting Trees for Wimborne and the Countryside Regeneration Trust (The CRT) in the conservation bid to save the UK’s rarest timber tree: the Black Poplar (Populus nigra subsp betulifolia).

Native Black Poplars in Britain are faced with a very uncertain future and probably extinction without the intervention of conservation bodies and landowners.

“The key to saving the black poplar lies in spreading them across the country and increasing the genetic diversity of the population. By distributing the cuttings to different locations, we reduce the risk of a single pest wiping out the entire population. The more diverse the gene pool, the stronger the population will be. ” (The CRT, Planting for the Future: A Rare Opportunity to Help Save the Black Poplar)

The Friends of Coy Pond followed up an appeal from the CRT to help save the Native Black Poplar tree. (Dorset farm appeals for help saving ‘rare’ black poplar trees – BBC News)

Trees for Wimborne has supplied a 2nd female sapling to increase the possibility of fertilization by the nearby male sapling.

The Coy Pond sector of Bourne Valley is effectively a water meadow, and therefore ideally suited to the preferred habitat of black poplars.

Supported by Friends of Coy Pond, BCP Council & Trees for Wimborne, the trees will be planted, then registered, mapped and tracked.

Niki Harper of Trees for Wimborne said: “This has taken several years of locating Dorsets Native Black Poplars and then growing saplings from cuttings; we are very pleased that it has resulted in Black Poplars being planted where people will be able to enjoy this magnificent tree”.

Rob Stanley, Head Gardener, BCP Central Upper and Coy Pond Gardens said: “A very worthwhile project and something that is certainly needed to highlight the importance of trees and the way people can contribute to their survival. We are very pleased to be involved and assist in the start of a long life for these trees within our English Heritage Grade II listed gardens.”

Katsura “Toffee Apple” tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum)

The Katsura is an elegant medium-sized deciduous tree, with paired, broadly heart-shaped leaves to 10cm in length, bronze-tinted when young, and turning yellow, orange and pink in autumn, when they smell of burnt sugar.

Thanks to a generous donor, we are delighted to welcome a tree species new to the Coy Pond Gardens area.