Golden Orioles and Poplars

The following information is of particular interest to farmers and landowners.

Poplar varieties
There is a renewed interest in the planting of poplars, as a result both of government policy to find alternative uses for farmland and a wider appreciation of the value of poplar timber. Since the 1945, most planting of poplar was with hybrid black poplars, such as Robusta and Eugenei. But in the last decade, a number of new varieties, including Beaupre and Boelare, have been approved by the Forestry Commission for cultivation in Britain. There are proving markedly superior in growth rate and disease resistance. Fortunately they have two characteristics which are favourable to breeding orioles: they have large leaves, and they come into leaf early.

Poplars and Birds
Work by the Golden Oriole Group and investigations sponsored by the RSPB reveal that each pair of orioles requires 400-1000 poplars (equivalent to about three hectares of woodland) within a square kilometre, and uses trees which are over 10 years old. Poplar plantations in fenland also support a wide range of other birds, including such summer visitors as garden warbler, common whitethroat, willow warbler, chiffchaff, turtle dove, cuckoo and spotted flycatcher. In some of the woods, nightingales can be heard singing. As the plantations near maturity, other birds such as the woodpeckers appear. In effect, these poplar woods form oases in an intensive agricultural landscape.

Where to plant
Poplars are ideal trees to plant on arable fenland because of their very fast growth. Deep planting, if necessary down to 60 cm is essential to ensure that rooting develops in permanently moist soil. Single-line planting of poplars provide useful wind-breaks, but wider shelter belts, from three to six rows wide, will provide much improved shelter from wind, and can encourage woodland conditions to develop. Such planting can be developed near to dykes and other waterways, but ensure that maintenance needs are considered. Some waterways are ecologically important and trees could be detrimental if too close.

Design and planting
The woodland edge is an important habitat for orioles. Narrow woods or several small blocks joined by shelter belts provide ideal conditions for them. Traditionally, poplars have been planted at wide spacing, maximum 8m x 8m, to provide saw logs and veneer logs in 25 years. Closer initial spacing of 3m x 3m or 4m x 4m, however, will allow one or two thinnings within the first 10 years, so as to give modest early returns from small round-wood. Alternatively, other tree and shrub species may be planted between widely-spaced poplars to provide woodland conditions in the shortest time. In this way, the most desirable balance between the needs of timber production, improved wildlife habitat and landscape enhancement may be obtained.

Grant Aid
Currently there are schemes which make payment for the planting of trees (Woodland Grant Scheme), and for taking land out of agricultural production (Farmland Woodland Premium Scheme), but the whole grants system is set to change in 2005. For up-to-date information regarding grants for poplar planting in East Anglie, get in touch with The Forestry Commission, Santon Downham. Tel: 01842 815544

Marketing
Some of the present outlets are:
Rotary peeling - good quality butts provide excellent rotary peeling for veneers.
Sawn timber - poplar from good butts can be sawn easily and produces a light, good quality timber. Uses include cabinet making and musical instruments; for rough wood, pallets and boxes.
Chipboard, fibreboard and pulp - thinnings and top/lop can go for these uses. Being light yest odour/resin free, it has real advantages over softwoods.

Detailed advice on planting, management and marketing of poplars can be obtained from:
Poplar Tree Company
Tel 01981 250253.
Website: www.poplartree.co.uk

The UK Poplar Forum
Membership is free and includes occasional newsletter. Back issues also obtainable.
Email contact: ian.tubby@forestry.gsi.gov.uk