- Characteristics
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Details
As Britain’s rarest native tree, it is now recognised that the Black Poplar needs immediate positive action to prevent any further decline in numbers. A large, fast-growing, broad-headed tree, it was once common on flood plains and in river valleys, but the destruction of habitat and hybridisation with other species has meant that this ecologically important tree is now seriously endangered.
Site and soil
Deep rich soil in damp river valleys. Full sun or part shade; tolerant of chalky soils.
Height and spread
Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;
After 10 years: 10m x 4m
After 20 years: 17m x 9mLeaf and bark
The leaves are diamond-shaped and 10cm long. They are glossy, opening with a bronze tint in spring, darkening to a glossy dark green before turning yellow in autumn. The bark is very dark brown, almost black, and deeply fissured. The trunk is heavily burred.
Flower, seed and fruit
The flowers are catkins, borne on the tree in mid spring. Male catkins are red, the females green, the females ripening to fluffy seedheads in summer. The Black Poplar is dioecious – male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. When bought in quantity there is a good chance both sexes will be represented.
Uses
Woodland, wildlife, specimen tree. Black Poplar timber is very light, but strong, and is shock absorbent and resists heat and splintering well. It has been used to make clogs, matches, toys, artificial limbs, wagons and rifle butts. The bark has been used as a cork substitute for floats; in times of famine, the inner bark was dried and ground as flour. The young shoots can be treated to produce a hormone rooting aid for cuttings.
Wildlife
Over 20 species of moth feed on the leaves of the Black Poplar, including the Poplar Hawk Moth and the Bordered Beauty. Studies are being carried out on its potential importance in flood management.
- Plant Protection
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The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
Vole, Mice
20cmRabbit
60cmHare
75cmRoe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mFallow Deer
1.50mPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice
20cmVole Guard
20cmNone required Pest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit
60cmSpiral Guard
60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Easywrap
60cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsMesh Guard with Spray Shield
60cm x 130mm2 x Bamboo Canes
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Fruitwrap
60cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Ecostart
60cm x 57-73cmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
60cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare
75cmTubex Easywrap
75cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsSpiral Guard
75cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Fruitwrap
75cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Ecostart
75cm x 57-73mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Combitube
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mTubex Tree Shelter
1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Combitube
1.20m x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
1.20m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
1.20m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard
1.20m x 300mmMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest Fallow Deer
1.50mTubex Tree Shelter
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Combitube
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard
1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mmMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.80m x 60mmSpraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
- Planting & Care
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Aftercare
The Black Poplar is not usually pruned, but broken branches should be tidied back to a clean cut as soon as possible.