Conservation Projects

Friends of Coy Pond are privileged to support 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).

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

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Friends of Coy Pond followed up on a BBC Dorset article publicizing the appeal by The CRT to help save the Native Black Poplar tree.​

 

Conservationists at the CRT's Bere Marsh Farm, near Shillingstone in Dorset and Trees for Wimborne have been busy propagating cuttings which are to be distributed around Dorset and further afield.

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"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).

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Following successful application, the CRT has supplied a male sapling and Trees for Wimborne a female sapling. We hope more cuttings will be made available to extend our support.

 

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 & The CRT the trees will be planted, then registered, mapped  and tracked.​​

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Coy Pond Friend John Preston said: “At the end of December, a local Dorset BBC article featured the work of Bere Marsh Farm, near Shillingstone. There, the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is raising cuttings to enable people to spread the trees around in suitable locations.

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“We have sought the advice of BCP head gardener for the area to find the best position for the trees, which can ultimately grow up to 50 metres. We are delighted to be able to take on two saplings and to help with this project.”

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CRT Head of Conservation Helena Darragh said: "We are delighted to have been able, in partnership with Trees for Wimborne, to provide both a male and a female black poplar sapling to the Friends of Coy Pond.

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“The area is ideally suited to the preferred habitat of black poplars and we were impressed by their application for the cuttings. The locations of the trees will be registered and we look forward to seeing them thrive in coming years."

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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”.

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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."