Tree Planting in Bourton Park
On Saturday morning volunteers from the Buckingham Table helped plant 12 saplings along the riverbank of Bourton Park to improve the appearance of this green space and help increase biodiversity in the area.
A small parcel of woodland between the car park and riverbank were planted with small clusters of Black Poplars (Populus nigra betulifolia) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa). The Black Poplar is Britain’s rarest native timber tree and the native race betulifolia is 
special to Great Britain and N.W. Europe. Fully-grown trees are often highly majestic with massive down-arched, side branches and very rough bark that often bears bosses. Constable often featured them in his paintings. Most trees are males, but the rare females can be distinguished by green catkins followed by fluffy seeds. We believe a Black Poplar tree was given to the town of Buckingham by Queen Victoria to celebrate her visit to the town. There are some beautiful examples of mature Black Poplar trees in Heartlands park. The saplings were secured from Cole’s Nurseries through a donation from Buckingham Table.
Chair of Environment Committee, Councillor Ruth Newell said “We are grateful to Buckingham Table for their generous donation and for helping with the planting, and, as well as adding to our rare Black Poplar tree population in Buckingham it also contributes to our Climate Emergency action plan. If other groups would like to donate to our tree planting in the Town please contact Buckingham Town Council.
Notes
- For enquiries please contact Paul Hodson at Buckingham Town Council on 01280 816426, office@buckingham-tc.gov.uk.