Newsletter No. 6 July 2025

Posted on July 09, 2025

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It has been a bit of a soggy week in parts of New Zealand recently, and today is no exception. The ground in places is fairly sodden and with more rain, the ground becomes quite susceptible to slippage or earth flows. Look around for existing cracks in the ground that may open up or where existing erosion scars are … signs that if not space planted, may result in erosion appearing.

North Island Farm Forester 2025

Stan Braaksma and his wife Jenny were jointly recognized as the Stihl North Island Farm Foresters of the Year at the NZ Farm Forestry Conference held in March 2025.

This prestigious award acknowledges their outstanding contributions and leadership in sustainable forestry and land stewardship across the North Island. Their commitment to integrating trees into farming systems, restoring native cover, and promoting responsible land management has earned them deep respect in the forestry and farming communities.

The Braaksmas farm near Masterton, where they manage a well-planted lifestyle block. Their property features a variety of woodlots, shelterbelts, and experimental plantings, reflecting decades of practical forestry experience and ecological care.

Stan’s professional career spanned several decades with the Greater Wellington Regional Council, where he played a key role in soil conservation, nursery development, and hill-country protection. A strong advocate for trees on farms, Stan has worked extensively with both native and exotic species, helping landowners plan for resilience, erosion control, and production forestry.

His involvement with the New Zealand Poplar & Willow Research Trust (NZPWRT) has been significant. Stan chaired the Trust’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for a number of years and was appointed a Trustee in 2018. He continues to provide expert guidance on species selection, establishment, and land use planning.

As an active member of the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA), Stan currently serves as Chairperson of the Poplar Action Group, helping drive research, extension, and grower support for this versatile and valuable tree species.

Together, Stan and Jenny exemplify the values of stewardship, innovation, and generosity—sharing their knowledge and property to inspire others in the farming and forestry sectors.

Stihl North Island Farm Foresters of the Year Award presented by Mark Lochhead and Philip Ropiha to Stan and Jenny Braaksma

Ambassadors out in the field

Brent Mountfort and his wife Antonia recently entered the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards—and came away with not one, but two accolades: the Livestock Award and the Biodiversity Award. These honours reflect their deep commitment to integrating sustainable land management with productive farming.

Brent and Antonia farm 267 hectares near Manawahe, with approximately 145 hectares in effective grazing. The remainder of the property includes around 32 hectares of commercial pine and 80 hectares of retired native bush, 29 ha of which is protected under QEII covenants and subject to ongoing restoration efforts.

Brent is not only a NZ Poplar & Willow Research Trust (NZPWRT) Ambassador, but also serves as the Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers Provincial President, a role in which he advocates for both farming resilience and environmental responsibility.

In March 2025, Brent generously hosted a field workshop on their farm, sharing his insights into how poplars play a vital role in their farm system. While many of the trees provide shade and shelter, especially around stockyards, their use extends far beyond:

• Space planting on hillsides to stabilise soil and reduce erosion.
• Managing ephemeral flow paths, helping slow water movement and reduce sediment runoff.
• Supporting biodiversity, by providing structure and shade that enhances native habitat.
• Aesthetics and landscape integration, enhancing the visual appeal and ecological function of the farm.

Brent and Antonia’s thoughtful integration of trees into their livestock operation exemplifies the best of modern land stewardship—where productivity and conservation go hand in hand.

To read more about our Ambassadors.

Brent (middle) pointing out features of the farm to the group

Where did poplars get their name?

Have you ever wondered where New Zealand-bred poplar cultivars get their names from? Many of them reflect the places, people, or features tied to their origins—showcasing the strong connection between tree breeding and the landscapes and communities they serve.

Below are some of the more common NZ-bred poplar cultivars and the stories behind their names:

Poplar and willow survival audits

John Ballinger, Northland Regional Council

The Northland Regional Council (NRC) conducted survival audits of poplar and willow plantings from 2022 to 2024. These audits aimed to evaluate the performance of various clones planted for erosion control purposes across Northland.

Key Findings

Poplar Clones Performance:

• P. deltoides x nigra clones: Otahuao and Veronese showed high survival rates, with Otahuao performing well despite possum browse and Veronese demonstrating good drought and wind tolerance.
• P. deltoides x yunnanensis: Kawa,the most widely planted clone, had variable survival rates, with poles showing the lowest survival of all clones.
• P. maximowiczii x nigra clones: Shinsei, Pecam, and Chiba exhibited high survival rates and good rust resistance.
• P. deltoides x ciliata clones: Rotorangi and Kaimai had mixed results, with Rotorangi showing high survival in some trials but poor performance in others due to nursery stock issues and rust infections.
• P. albax glandulosa: Yeogi had poor survival initially but improved significantly with better planting practices.

Willow Clones Performance:

• Tree Willow: Tangoio and Taitoko showed excellent survival rates, with Tangoio being tolerant of various conditions but susceptible to possum browse.
• Shrub Willow: Awanui and Kinuyanagi had high survival rates, while Glenmark performed poorly due to susceptibility to aphids and dry conditions.

Field Trials:

• Titoki Site: Shinsei and Pecam had the best survival and quality scores. Poor-quality planting material from the NRC nursery affected the survival rates of some clones.
• Whareora Site: Shinsei, Otahuao,Veronese, and trichocarpa crosses performed well. Survival rates were more strongly correlated with the quality of planting material than individual clones.

Discussion:

• Clonal Mix: The over-reliance on Kawa was highlighted, with recommendations to diversify the clones grown in the NRC nursery to reduce vulnerability to windthrow and improve overall resilience.
• Difference in Survival Between Planting Material: Wands and rooted cuttings had better survival rates compared to poles. The quality of planting material was crucial for survival, with younger, more vigorous material performing better.

Conclusion

The audits revealed the need for a diverse mix of clones to ensure resilience against varying climatic conditions and pest pressures. The findings will guide future planting strategies and nursery practices to improve the survival and performance of poplar and willow plantings in Northland.

2-year rising Pecam stakes growing well on mid slope, alongside Crowsnest poles at Titoki, Northland

National Field days

Mystery Creek in June provided a fantastic opportunity to connect with people interested in the many uses of poplars and willows. Teaming up once again with the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association (NZFFA), we shared a space in the Forestry Hub.

Our display of poplar wood products—ranging from toys and bowls to softball bats and heat-treated external weatherboards—attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the event.

We also took the opportunity to test an early version of our new decision-support app, designed to help users select the right tree for their needs. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing enthusiasm for its potential to support planting decisions on-farm and in catchment projects.

Stan Braaksma (Trustee NZPWRT), Sam Keenan (Deputy Director General at TUR) and Sally Lee (General Manager NZPWRT)

NZPWRT teaming up with the NZFFA group - after day one

Showcasing … Hiwinui (willow)

‘Hiwinui’ is a cross between S. matsudana and S. alba.

‘Hiwinui’ is suitable for general soil conservation planting. It is male, with bluish green leaves, a rather spreading crown, and is vigourous. The lower branches tend to hang down.

Nursery accreditation for Poplar and Willow Material

NZPWRT is exploring the introduction of a voluntary accreditation system for nurseries supplying poplar and willow material. The aim is to provide assurance to end-users—whether farmers, councils, or contractors—that the material they receive meets a consistent standard of quality.

Accredited nurseries would commit to providing vigorous, healthy planting material, particularly when supplying poles, stakes, or wands. Younger wood is preferred, as it typically has a higher chance of survival when planted.

This initiative supports NZPWRT’s broader goal of ensuring the right trees are not only selected—but also successfully established—across New Zealand landscapes.