With the New Zealand government setting a goal to plant one billion trees between 2018 and 2027, estimates suggest that this can encompass a significant area across New Zealand. While 50 percent of that target is associated with current planting rates, making sure that the “right tree is in the right landscape” is critical in your farming system.



Conservation trees have a number of added benefits to your farming system. Having a space-planted conservation tree arrangement provides an extensive interlocking root system, which has the ability to reduce mass movement erosion. Successful space-planted establishment results in water management, topsoil retention and stock benefits, as well as slope protection across erosion prone country.



One of the most effective ways of controlling streambank erosion can be through the establishment of strongly rooting plants. The reinforcement and soil-binding ability of conservation trees, such as willows and poplars, allows for a buffering ability against water speeds in waterways, anchoring stream banks and developing fibrous root systems for interception of nutrient runoff.



Topsoil retention is directly related to annual pasture production. Research undertaken by the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust1 has shown on-farm costs associated with topsoil erosion include reduced nutrient and water storage and increased repair costs in roads and infrastructure. Pasture production on eroded slopes has an immediate effect, with total pasture production in the long term reaching 80 percent of its original ability.



Shade and shelter are both vital considerations for stock throughout the year. Shelterbelts can successfully provide cover for stock in adverse weather conditions. Shade, particularly in summer months, reduces heat stress and can improve feed conversion efficiency.



Choosing the ‘right tree for the right landscape’ is critical for tree survival after planting and long-term success. For information surrounding ‘What to plant and where in your farming system’, see Figure 1 (below). For ‘Tree management, enabling a symbiotic tree-pasture system’, see Figure 2 (below).



Investment into the protection of erosion-prone land directly impacts long-term pasture production and landowner profitability. For more information, contact your PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative or the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Trust.



Figure 1: What to plant and where in your farming system

Figure 2: Tree management, enabling a symbiotic tree-pasture system

¹Information provided by the New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust www.poplarandwillow.org.nz/.