Document Library

An index to our poplar and willow documentation

NZPWRT Impact Report 2025-2026

Our Impact Report highlights the difference NZPWRT is making across New Zealand's hill country. It showcases how our investment in breeding, research, knowledge sharing and partnerships is helping regional councils, farmers and rural professionals protect erosion-prone land, build resilient landscapes, and strengthen the future use of poplars and willows.

Topics: NZPWRT;

Document Type: Publications;

NZPWRT Strategy 2026-2036 Webinar

At a recent webinar, NZPWRT introduced their Strategy 2026-2036, where they shared their vision for the future, the strategic priorities that will guide their work, and how they plan to strengthen research, extension and partnerships to support resilient landscapes and productive farming systems.

Topics: NZPWRT;

Document Type: Videos;

NZPWRT Annual Plan 2026-2027

This Annual Plan outlines the key priorities and actions for the NZPWRT for the 2026 – 2027 financial year. It provides a clear framework for delivering the first phase of the 2026-2036 Strategy, ensuring the Trust focuses on high-impact activities aligned with its four strategic pillars.

Topics: NZPWRT;

Document Type: Publications;

NZPWRT 5-10 Year Strategy 2026

This strategy provides a clear direction for the Trust over the next 5-10 years. It outlines how we will build greater awareness, confidence and adoption of poplar and willow as practical and valuable tools within New Zealand’s landscapes and communities.

Topics: NZPWRT;

Document Type: Publications;

Willow Vegetation for Managing River Edges

The art of balancing community expectations, cost, and politics in an environment of climate change. There is no ‘one size fits all’ tool in the river management toolbox, particularly when it comes to balancing expectations from numerous stakeholders about what’s best. Policy, affordability, politics, and science all play a part.

Topics: Erosion Control; Rivers; Willow Information;

Document Type: Videos;

Performance of bioengineering solutions (poplars and willows) for riverbank protection during Cyclone Gabrielle

This project looked at how bioengineering functioned within Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, including performance in relation to flood flow effects, erosion control, stopbank protection, interception of silt and woody debris, and benefits to downstream receiving environments.

Topics: Erosion Control; Rivers; Poplar Information; Willow Information;

Document Type: Videos;

NZPWRT Strategy 2026–2036: Building Resilient Landscapes for Future Generations

The NZ Poplar and Willow Research Trust is committed to ensuring poplar and willow continue to play an essential role in protecting and enhancing New Zealand’s landscapes and communities.

Topics: Poplar Information; Willow Information; NZPWRT;

Document Type: Publications;

Form poplar pruning demonstration

Ideally form pruning should be done at year 3-4 depending on growth rate. Priority is to select and maintain one dominant leader focusing on improving form and reducing wind loading.

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Timber;

Document Type: Videos;

Willow Clone Factsheet ‘Awanui’ Salix lasiolepis × S. viminalis NZ 1401

‘Awanui’ is a New Zealand-bred shrub willow hybrid cross of S. lasiolepis, a shrub willow species from California, and S. viminalis, a osier willow species from Europe.

Topics: Willow Information; Willow Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Willow Clone Factsheet ‘Cheltenham’ Salix matsudana × alba NZ 1402

‘Cheltenham’ is a New Zealand-bred tree willow hybrid cross of S. matsudana, the Peking willow from China, and S. alba, the white willow from Europe.

Topics: Willow Information; Willow Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Willow Clone Factsheet ‘Kew’ (Salix matsudana) PN 227

‘Kew’ is an imported tree willow clone of S. matsudana, the Peking willow from China.

Topics: Willow Information; Willow Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Willow Clone Factsheet ‘Moutere’ (Salix matsudana × alba) NZ 1184

‘Moutere’ is a New Zealand-bred tree willow hybrid cross of S. matsudana, the Peking willow from China, and S. alba, the white willow from Europe.

Topics: Willow Information; Willow Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Willow Clone Factsheet ‘Taitoko’ Salix matsudana × pentandra NZ 1341

‘Taitoko’ is a New Zealand-bred tree willow hybrid cross of S. matsudana, the Peking willow from China, and S. pentandra, the bay willow from Europe.

Topics: Willow Information; Willow Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Willow Clone Factsheet ‘Tangoio’ (Salix matsudana × alba) NZ 1040

‘Tangoio’ is a New Zealand-bred tree willow hybrid cross of S. matsudana, the Peking willow from China, and S. alba, the white willow from Europe.

Topics: Willow Information; Willow Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Wai-iti’ (Populus deltoides × P. trichocarpa) PN 5039

‘Wai-iti’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. deltoides, a black poplar species from eastern North America, and P. trichocarpa, a balsam poplar species from western North America.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Fit4Site App and User Guide

An App owned by NZ Poplar and Willow Research Trust, developed and maintained by Bronwyn Rodgers - LocationMatters. This app will provide you with a guide on what to plant.

Topics: Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: User Guide;

Trees that pay twice; resilience + returns (23 October 2025)

Shane Carroll and Prof. Nicola Shadbolt from Westview Farm (Pohangina Valley). They’ve blended trees into a working hill-country system with beef, sheep, deer and dairy, and won top honours in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Shane also serves as a NZ Poplar & Willow Research Trust farmer ambassador, and Nicola is ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit), and an FMG director. Discussion on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how they decide where trees go and why, without compromising day-to-day farming.

Topics: Erosion Control; Timber;

Document Type: Videos;

Field trial of poplar poles, wands and bare-rooted stakes - Research Brief 20

Poplar wands and rooted stakes are quicker and cheaper to produce and easier to plant than poles. Increasing their use could accelerate planting rates and soil protection, and they may better handle dry summers in the establishment years than poles.

Topics: Nursery; Poplar Information; Purchasing Poles;

Document Type: Research Briefs;

Rooted Cuttings for Poplar and Willow Establishment

Colin Stace, a Senior Catchment Advisor from Hawke's Bay Regional Council shows us how to use poplar and willow rooted cuttings to establish trees when poles are not the best option.

Topics: Cultivation; Nursery; Trees for the Farm;

Document Type: Videos;

Factsheet 8: Is Cabbage Tree a Soil Conservation Species?

Cabbage trees dense root system helps stop soil erosion on steep slopes and because they tolerate wet soil, they are a useful species for planting along stream banks.

Topics: Erosion Control; Root Systems;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Braaksma’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5038

‘Braaksma’is a Populus deltoides x P. nigra hybrid.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Argyle’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5015

‘Argyle’ is a PVR-licensed variety resulting from the 1980 P. x euramericana crosses.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Crowsnest’ (Populus deltoides x P. nigra) x P. nigra NZ 5010

‘Crowsnest’ is a New Zealand-bred PVR-licensed variety that originates from a backcross between a P. x euramericana hybrid and P. nigra. It was first released commercially in 1994.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Chiba’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra × P. nigra NZ 5037

‘Chiba’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. maximowiczii, a balsam poplar species from Japan, and P. nigra, a black poplar species from Europe.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Dudley’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5022

‘Dudley’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 2000. A NZ PVR application is pending.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Fraser’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5017

‘Fraser’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 1996.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Hororata’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5033

‘Hororata’ was bred in New Zealand in 1993 and released for commercial use in 2011. It is female.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Geyles’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5034

Bred in New Zealand in 1993, ’Geyles’ was released in 2011. It is a male clone.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Kawa’ Populus deltoides x P. yunnanensis PN 35 NZ 5006

‘Kawa’, bred in NZ in 1974, is a cross between P. deltoides and P. yunnanensis from China. It was released commercially in 1986.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Kaimai’ Populus deltoides x P. ciliata NZ 5025

‘Kaimai’ is a P. x asiamerica hybrid, resulting from a 1983 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. ciliata. It was first released commercially in 2011.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Plummer’ Populus angustifolia × P. yunnanensis NZ 5040

‘Plummer’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. angustifolia, a balsam poplar species from western North America, and P. yunnanensis, a balsam poplar species from south-western China.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Pecam’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5036

‘Pecam’ was bred in New Zealand in 1993 and released for commercial use in 2011. ‘Pecam’ is male.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Pakai’ Populus deltoides × P. trichocarpa NZ 5009

‘Pakai’ is a New Zealand-bred poplar hybrid cross of P. deltoides, a black poplar species from eastern North America, and P. trichocarpa, a balsam poplar species from western North America.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Otahuao’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5020

‘Otahuao’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 1993.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Mapiu’ Populus maximowiczii × P. nigra NZ 5035

‘Mapiu’ was bred in New Zealand in 1993 and released for commercial use in 2011. ‘Mapiu’ is female.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘San Rosa’ Populus deltoides x P. ciliata NZ 5026

‘San Rosa’ is a P. x asiamerica hybrid, resulting from a 1983 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. ciliata. It was first released commercially in 2011.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Rotorangi’ Populus deltoides x P. ciliata NZ 5027

‘Rotorangi’ is a P. x asiamerica hybrid, resulting from a 1983 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. ciliata. It was first released commercially in 2011.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Shinsei’ Populus nigra ‘LP 1’ x P. maximowiczii NZ 85-069-002

‘Shinsei’ is a NZ-bred PVR-licensed tree that was first released commercially in 2000. It originates from a 1985 cross between the Italian P. nigra ‘LP 1’ and a P. maximowiczii male clone from Hokkaido, Japan.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Selwyn’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5016

‘Selwyn’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and Populus nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 1995.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Veronese’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra PN 870

‘Veronese’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid that was bred in Italy, imported into New Zealand and released commercially in 1986.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Toa’ NZ 5007 (Populus deltoides x P. nigra) x P. yunnanensis

‘Toa’ is a NZ-bred PVR-licensed tree that was first released commercially in 1996. It originates from a 1982 cross between a P. x euramericana hybrid and the Chinese balsam poplar P. yunnanensis.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Yunnan’ P. yunnanensis, The Chinese poplar PN 35

’Yunnan’ is a single clone of the balsam poplar P. yunnanensis from the Yunnan province in China. It was first imported in 1908, and was released for general use in 1986.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Poplar Clone Factsheet ‘Weraiti’ Populus deltoides x P. nigra NZ 5018

‘Weraiti’ is a P. x euramericana hybrid, resulting from a 1980 NZ cross between P. deltoides and P. nigra ‘Italica’. It was first released commercially in 1996.

Topics: Poplar Information; Poplar Clones;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Trialling ways to manage Southland's hill country erosion

Envrionment Southland's senior land sustainability officer, Keith Finlayson, is passionate about protecting the land. Keith has looked at understanding the best methods of managing erosion on Southland's hill county.

Topics: Erosion Control;

Document Type: Fact Sheets;

Newsletter No 5 March 2025

Wow! 2025 seems to be racing along, as we head into autumn. Some parts of the country are starting to certainly feel the effects of the dry.

Topics:

Document Type: Newsletters;

Poplars and Willows as Bioengineering Tools Workshop Hawkes Bay 2025

The New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust is offering national training 2-day workshops for new and experienced practitioners. The first one of 2025 is Tuesday 11 February - Wednesday 12 February 2025 in Hawkes Bay.

Topics: Erosion Control;

Document Type: Publications;

Understanding Poplars and Willows Whakatane, Croydon, Whanganui 2025

The New Zealand Poplar and Willow Research Trust is offering national training 2-day workshops for new and experienced practitioners. Locations: Whakatane, Croydon, and Whanganui; Dates: March and April 2025

Topics: Erosion Control; Poplar Information; Trees for the Farm; Willow Information;

Document Type: Publications;