Rare black poplar trees to be replanted in Howardian Hills

The black poplar, once a common sight across the English countryside and immortalised in John Constable’s 1821 painting The Hay Wain, now faces extinction with only around 7,000 trees left across the British Isles—just a handful of which survive in North Yorkshire.

Ambrose Greenfield from Forgotten Flora said: “If anything the problem is a bit worse than it seems because of the 7,000 or so trees left, only about 600 are female and the rest male.

Ambrose Greenfield with one of the few remaining mature black poplar trees in the Howardian Hills Nationla Landscape in the background. He is holding a young sapling propergated from this tree.. (Image: Supplied)

“This severely limits natural seed reproduction.

“We’ve taking cuttings from the two mature trees we do know of in the Howardian Hills, one of which is female.

“We are nurturing these in our polytunnels at Terrington, near Malton, and they are growing well.”

Across the 79-square-mile Howardian Hills National Landscape, a conservation effort led by the Forgotten Flora project and funded by the Howardian Hills Partnership is working to change the black poplar’s fate.

Ambrose Greenfield with one of the few remaining mature black poplar trees in the Howardian Hills Nationla Landscape. (Image: Supplied)

Partners include the North York Moors National Park’s woodland team.

Wetland creation is a key element.

The species, which once thrived along riverbanks and damp floodplains, has declined mainly due to habitat loss.

Conservationists hope to replant the new saplings within the Howardian Hills over the next year or two.

Mr Greenfield said: “Hopefully we’d be looking to plant these out over the next year or two at suitable sites within the national landscape, with some also going to the national park’s woodland team.”

Ambrose Greenfield from Forgotten Flora Project with a black polar sapling, part of a bid to revive the threatened tree. (Image: Supplied)

Wetland creation is a key element in giving the species a stronger foothold. The Howardian Hills Partnership has recently helped restore 40 acres at two sites along with funding hydrology surveys and pond creation.

The black poplar can reach 100 feet in height and live for more than 250 years.

It is known for its deeply fissured bark, leaning trunks, and triangular leaves.

Male trees produce red catkins, while females show yellow and green, and the leaves carry a faint scent of balsam.

The wood has traditionally been used for floorboards, cart wheels, and wagon bottoms because of its springiness and shock resistance.

Forgotten Flora is also working to propagate other declining species, including creeping willow and bay willow.

The Howardian Hills National Landscape was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1987 and was renamed as a National Landscape in 2023.