Trees mark boundary

The aim of the St John Without project is to mark the little-known boundaries of the parish at the furthest four points of the compass each with five trees.

The trees, made available through a 485 grant from the International Tree Foundation, will be planted in the shape of a cross at each location.

The first five were planted on Saturday at the northernmost point of the parish at Bevern Bridge, where the Bevern Stream flows under the A275.

They are all pure native black poplars which should grow well on this low-lying land. The Bevern is a tributary of the Ouse and is famous for the large sea trout that breed there.

Organiser Mary Parker, tree warden for St John Without, said: 'A few years ago it was realised that the pure form of the black poplar was almost extinct. Only 20 specimens could be found in Sussex.

'A regeneration programme was undertaken by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and Wakehurst Place.

'St John received offspring from a magnificent female black poplar which grows beside another Ouse tributary close to the church at Isfield.'

Tree planting will also take place with black poplars at the parish boundary's eastern end near the railway bridge over Allington Lane, with ash at its western end on the Downs near Four Lords Burgh, and with beech at its southern end in the Ashcombe Valley.

Among those present on Saturday were Mary Parker, organiser; Derek Hunnisett, deputy Lord Lieutenant; Tony Denyer, International Tree Foundation; Lady Marina Bury, representing the owner and trustees of the Bevern estate; farmer Francis Millwood; Lord and Lady Renton of Mount Harry; St John residents Nevill Mardell, Sarah and Emma Cook, Ken Parker and Dennis and Joan Bourne, and Barcombe resident Gary Saunders.

l In 50 years the black poplars should be 100ft high!