The poles are usually 3m long while narrower “whips” are about 1m. “They have the most amazing root system that is very good at stabilising banks,” Smith said. “We use them where appropriate.” For areas of low erosion risk, native plants such as cabbage trees were good while the poplar and willow poles were great in areas of high erosion risk along stream and river banks or to help stabilise hillsides. The narrow 1m “whips” could be used in areas with riparian fencing “where cows can’t eat them”. While the 3m poles were stock resistant, cattle loved to eat the whips if they could get to them, Smith said.