Introduction

Poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) trees are preferred for soil erosion control on hill country farmland primarily because of their extensive root systems and rapid growth rates, their ability to grow in poor soils and in harsh environments and their ability to strike from long poles. The last characteristic allows the young pole to grow in the presence of stock with minimal restrictions and avoids the need to retire large areas of land from grazing.

Catchment Boards have planted between 20000 and half a million poles annually over the last 20 years. It has been estimated (van Kraayenoord 1968) that a further 20 million poles will be needed in the next twenty years at a current cost of about $1.20 per pole.

This paper describes the damage to poles by common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula and outlines research into methods of alleviating it.