Up to now we have been attempting to clone a cutting from every isolated veteran tree,
and one from every group of trees because we don't know which ones are identical
genetically. Genetic fingerprinting of the trees will tell us how many unique clones we
have actually got and how many are just identical vegetative clones. Thus we can
concentrate on cloning and propagating clones that we know are different from each
other, which will save enormously on clone bank space and running costs.
For the DNA fingerprinting to determine the clones in an area all we need are a couple
of fresh young terminal twigs with still unfurled leaves and fresh buds. They have to be
processed very quickly for the DNA to remain intact, and since it is least expensive to
tool up for processing large batches of samples they all need to be collected in a short
space of time.
IF YOU KNOW OF A VETERAN BLACK POPLAR TREE, CHECK IT OUT AGAINST
THE ESSEX LIST AND IF IT IS NOT THERE PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP.
I will be collecting all the samples in April-May as soon as the leaves begin to unfurl.
SUMMARY OF VALIDATED VETERAN WATER POPLAR LOCATIONS Vc18/19
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Essex Field Club Newsletter No. 58, January 2009