Black poplars were once one of our commonest species. Their springy wood was used for making everything from arrows to carriage wheels in the Middle Ages.
But female trees were regarded as a nuisance because of the clouds of fluffy seed they produce each summer.
And over the centuries, they have been weeded out until just a few hundred survive. Today most remaining black poplars are males, meaning the species is in danger of extinction.
Last year 17 male trees were found beside the Relief Channel , near King’s Lynn, by the Environment Agency.
Now a 3ft-high female tree has been planted nearby, in the hope the first green shoots of love will flourish.
EA technical officer Julia Massey said: “We were disappointed that none of the trees found on our land were female.