Poplars
Lombardy poplars (Populus nigra 'Italica') were planted at Bestbrook over 80 years ago. Some are near the end of their natural life, whilst others have already been felled to make tongue & grooveInternal lining boards which slot together to form a strong flat surface. The 'V', created where the chamfered edges come together, helps disguise shrinkage planks to match the existing wall & ceiling lining in the cookhouse.
A new generation of Lombardy poplars has been planted to ultimately replace the original trees - cuttings were taken from existing trees and grown on in the vegetable garden before being planted out. Significant layers of leaf litter, with ample shade above, lends itself well to woodland plantings.
New rust-resistant poplar hybrids, such as Yeogi, Tasman & Kawa, have been planted for timber production. Pole cuttings root readily in-situ and quickly establish as new trees. Rapid growth means a 20 year rotation is the expected period before milling. This wood is ideal for use in non-structural internal building work, such as architraves
, skirting boards and cornices, as it is light-weight, easily worked and relatively knot-free.
