Hallwood Farm Marl Pit

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.2761, -2.9857

Open in the interactive map →

Also within

Cheshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SJ343759 — Unfavourable Recovering 0.11 2012-12-19

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Description

Area, 0.1 hectares 0.25 ac Description Hallwood Farm Marl Pit has been selected because it contains black poplar Populus nigra which is an uncommon and declining British native tree. Black poplar was originally a component of forests on flood plains in the lowlands, but these forests have long since been cleared and it now survives only in hedges, river margins and other sites outside woodlands. A recent survey has shown that less than 3,000 trees survive in Britain and that most of these are mature or over mature and dying back. Propagation by cuttings is possible and may account for many of the surviving trees. Certain local races are recognisable and most consist of the more attractive male trees. This site contains one male and two female trees growing in close proximity which ensures an abundant supply of fertile seed. Since no hybrid trees grow nearby there is no chance of cross fertilisation and genetic alteration of the true native species. The seeds are collected and are being used to propagate the species in other parts of the country.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
black poplar Populus nigra LC tree salicaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea