A GROUP of teenagers hope to encourage wildlife into Marlborough for hundreds of years to come after planting a group of rare tree saplings at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve.
Action for the River Kennet helped teenage volunteers to plant ten saplings of the rare Black poplar wood tree, which can live for as long as 200 years, on the banks of the river Kennet.
The tree can play a vital role in flood prevention as it commonly grows in damp areas and also attracts bees through its catkins.
ARK’s Anna Forbes said: "Working with these enthusiastic young people is great, they are out in the fresh air and giving new things a go. They are meeting and working alongside other teenagers and finding out about their local wildlife
site.
"Planting the trees is making sure we are planning the future of Stonebridge and it will be amazing for the teenagers to see their little
male and female saplings grow into magnificent trees in the future."
Stonebridge Wild River Reserve in Marlborough already has eight mature specimens growing and two healthy young trees that were planted back in 2012.
The Black poplar wood tree was formally used to make match sticks, carts and floor boards but has now become a rarity.
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