What's next?

.....A good question   

Much has already been done to save the native Black Poplar. But there's more still to be done....

This is happening now:

• hundreds of cuttings from proven native stock are being grown on at several Forestry Authority sites, ready for replanting near their known sources. Several local authorities - including Huntingdonshire - are doing the same.

• Work on the DNA testing of around 600 BP samples is being carried out at Nottingham University by PhD student Fiona Cooper. Together with Marianne Le Ray of the Environment Agency, Ms. Cooper recently published her first analysis results   'A study of genetic diversity in Populus nigra subs. betulifolia in the Upper Severn area of the UK using AFLP markers'.

• several regional Black Poplar groups are working hard to preserve, maintain and promote known trees in their own regions - notably in Cheshire , Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Gloucestershire

• vetted new trees are being added to the central database maintained since the start by Institute of Terrestrial Ecology records co-ordinator Jane Croft.

But what's really next is up to you.

You can:

1. Keep your eyes open. With luck there will still be unknown native Black poplars growing somewhere -- maybe somewhere near you. Click here for help on identifying a native Black poplar, or HERE. for some trees you can go and see.

2. Talk to your local Tree Officer. Ask if he knows of examples in his area, and if he knows how important they are.

3. Help us raise the profile of the Forgotten Tree with Parish, District and County Councils. Write to Fiona Cooper or to me.