LANDOWNERS are needed to ensure a project to save a rare tree species is a success.

Durham Wildlife Trust and Darlington Borough Council are working together to help save the black poplar.

Hundreds of saplings taken from 15 mature black poplar are being grown in Darlington, and planted out at suitable sites.

The trees can be found in small numbers at various locations in the North-East, but Darlington is a stronghold because it has the ideal growing conditions in low-lying wetland areas.

The conditions needed for the trees' survival are becoming increasingly rare because of land drainage.

However, the project is fighting back with about 500 saplings, and plans to plant about 150 young trees this winter.

Ian Greenwood, project officer said: "All of the trees are given away free to land owners, and after a site assessment we go and plant them. Foot-and-mouth delayed things, because we could not get on to farmers' land. But we need more landowners for next years' planting."

The project, which has been running for three years, aims to reintroduce 1,000 trees to the area by the time the project ends in 2008.

Rob George, Darlington council's countryside and rights of way officer, said ten more sites would be needed for planting next year and each following year during the project.

"We really need a wet corner of a field or next to a stream, something like that," he said.

"Sites in and around Darlington, as well as up to Durham, into North Yorkshire and over to Middlesbrough can also be considered."

Any landowners interested in offering an area for reintroducing the trees needs to have enough space for up to 20 or 30 to be planted.

For details call Mr George on (01325) 388637.