Fen Landscape – Poplars

East Wood, RSPB Lakenheath, August 2021

The poplar plantations are a striking feature of RSPB Lakenheath – the trees thrive on the moist soil and the mild/temperate climate. There are many 40-60 year old plantations throughout the British lowlands, including the Fens, as a result of Wilkinsons Match encouraging landowners to plant the trees for the match and basket making industries.  Private planting reached a peak of about 400 ha annually in the 1960s; planting by all sectors totalled about 6540 ha.   But a decline in the use of matches and replacement by synthetic fibres in basket making saw the market for the wood collapse.  Many of the plantations are therefore left standing today.  The RSPB is planting additional species, e.g. alder, to encourage biodiversity.

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