Masterton's Akura Conservation Centre is extending its poplar and willow nursery to meet increasing demand for the trees from farmers whose land is suffering from erosion.
In the past year Akura has produced 25,000 3m-high poplars to protect 385ha of hill country pasture in Wairarapa.
David Cameron, of Greater Wellington Land Management, said demand from farmers had increased and Akura needed to increase production of both poplars and willows by 36,000 in 2014 to meet demand.
"To do this we have leased 13ha of adjoining land from Papawai Kaikokirikiri Trust and will begin planting it this month.
"The beauty of using a 3m poplar pole is that they get established without removing stock from the paddock, so the farmer is protecting the soil without losing production."
