A bit of an unusual Tree Tuesday this week – and rather sad. This is a Black Poplar in the grounds of the National Trust’s White Mill in East Dorset – a place I know very well as I’m a volunteer there during the summer. It’s age is anywhere between 300 and 500 years and the species itself is very rare.
It died several years ago, and we didn’t know that the stump was hollow. The years of spiders webs and rotting wood accumulated in there is spectacular.
I suppose the very high rainfall we’ve had this year contributed to the collapse, and as the tree is now unsafe it will have to be cut down – this is in a garden open to the public. It’s provided a home for snakes, birds and huge fungi for many years and will be greatly missed by all who know the site.
On the positive side, many cuttings were taken 15 years ago and are planted around East Dorset, so it’s not all bad.
Thanks for looking – Happy Tree Tuesday.
ps. There’s an article about Black Poplars here if you’re interested.
28mmf2 