HUNDREDS of trees including one of Britain’s rarest native species are set to take root in Dorset this autumn as a countryside charity celebrates its centenary.

Dorset CPRE, the county branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is aiming to raise £7,000 to plant at least 250 deciduous trees across three sites near Dorchester, marking 100 years of the national organisation.

The ambitious planting project will include endangered Black Poplars – Britain’s rarest native timber tree – alongside disease-resistant elms and other native species designed to strengthen Dorset’s landscape and support wildlife.

The trees will be planted at Kingston Maurward, east of Dorchester, with two sites close to the scenic Thomas Hardy Trail and another on a nearby water meadow beside Stinsford Church, where Hardy’s heart is famously buried.

The water meadow site adjacent to the Thomas Hardy Trail and a short stroll from Stinsford Church. (Picture: Rupert Hardy)

The project comes as conservation groups continue efforts to tackle the effects of climate change, restore wetlands and replace trees lost to disease, including Ash Dieback.

Rupert Hardy, trustee and Dorset CPRE’s lead on the centenary planting appeal, said: “We hope that CPRE members and others will back our centenary appeal by sponsoring a tree. We aim to raise at least £7,000, enough to plant at least 250 saplings at a cost of just £25 per tree.

“There’s a map of the sites on our website, and permanent memorial plaques will be placed at each site in recognition of donations. We hope people will be generous and adopt more than one tree.”

Map of planting sites at Kingston Maurward College. (Picture: Rupert Hardy)

Mr Hardy said Black Poplars, once commonly used for cartwheels and floorboards, are now in steep decline.

“John Constable’s famous painting The Hay Wain features the Black Poplar. Now there are only 7,000 left in Britain, mostly male, so the population is shrinking,” he said.

Young trees will be supplied by charity Trees for Dorset, while Kingston Maurward will provide ongoing care.

To sponsor a tree, visit JustGiving campaign page or find out more at Dorset CPRE website.