Native Trees - Manchester Poplar
Once a familiar site, these Manchester-marvels are now a much rarer find, and one of the UK's most endangered Native Trees. Four native Black or 'Manchester' Poplars can be seen here in the grounds of Limehurst Farm, dating back to the early 1600's. It was estimated that between 5000-7000 of these trees remained in Britain in 2002, with a vast majority of these occurring in Greater Manchester. However, by 2005, half of these were felled due to a blight of Poplar Scab disease. The tree's connection with Manchester originates from the 19th century, when it was found to be one of the few trees that could resist the smoky, polluted air of the city. As a result, black poplars were planted all over Greater Manchester. However as the city grew, the tree's natural habitat of the flood plain, was slowly drained in order for the land to be cultivated for livestock. This caused a decline in Manchester Poplars along with many other species of trees and plants. As the city...