Poplars and willows for soil erosion control in New Zealand

Poplars (Populus) and willows (Salix) are exotic to New Zealand and have been introduced and cultivated over the last 160 years, for soil erosion control on pastoral hill country, riverbank protection, shade, windbreaks and woodlot forestry. During the 1960s and 1970s over two million poplars were planted in government-subsidised erosion control schemes. Planting techniques and patterns are discussed. This type of subsidised planting declined in the late 1980s and 1990s with the emphasis shifting to land management systems incorporating Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) afforestation, poplar silvipastoral systems, and various plant combinations including poplars and willows for riparian management. To prevent long-term degradation by soil erosion, there is a need to develop economic silvipastoral systems on at least one million hectares of New Zealand pastoral lands and the New Zealand research effort is refocusing on obtaining the necessary information to ensure this is a viable option for farmers.