Poplar tree
There are two obvious meanings of the word ‘Poplar’ in this context.
- the Poplar tree – from the Salicaeae family
- Poplar in the East End of London
There many streets in the Salisbury area named after both trees (Sycamore Drive, Syringa Court, The Beeches) and parts of London (Westminster Road, West End Road, Highbury Avenue).
Poplar Avenue is though fairly clearly named after the tree. It is in the part of the Bishopdown Farm estate (on the North East edge of Salisbury) that has a couple of arboreal names – it adjoins Ash Crescent, and is close to Sycamore Drive
Scottish streetnames in Poplar
While researching this I found an interesting post on an East London history website on the derivation of some of the street names in Poplar.
I know the area a little bit, and I’d always been puzzled by some of the names in the area, especially by the naming of Culloden school (which I think was the subject of a BBC2 documentary a few years ago).
The When Scotland met Poplar explains this to a large extent. Much of the area was bought by Hugh McIntosh of the East India Dock Company, who named much of the area after elements of his Scottish heritage.
Further to this, there is a belief that a more general Scottish influence in the Isle of Dogs area is demonstrated by aspects of Millwall Football Club. Although Millwall now play at the New Den in Deptford, the club was founded, and the area of Millwall itself, is North of the River, just South of Poplar Google map of Millwall. This theory is, to a large extent, de-bunked on the Millwall History fans’ website The Millwall History Files.
The Poplar Tree
There are three types of poplar tree native to Britain – the aspen, the white poplar and the rarer black poplar Woodland Trust – guide to trees.
There are legends around the aspen in particular.
One legend has it that the Cross that Jesus was crucified on was made of aspen. This is why the leaves appear to constantly tremble. Gardening – Native tree 6, the trembling poplar – Galway Independent
Visiting Salisbury?
For accommodation, see the Hotels in Salisbury page.
