Damage caused by porcupine eating the bark off the trunk of a Pinon pine. Such injury can severly weaken the tree subjecting it to attack by Ips beetle, as well as other insect and disease organisms. Injury extending around the branch or trunk results in death of that portion of the tree above (beyond) the damaged area.

Porcupines can also damage fruit trees, sweet corn, alfalfa, and small grains. They chew on hand tools and other wood objects while seeking salt. They can destroy siding on cabins.

Porcupines are considered nongame animals and are not protected. Fencing and tree trunk guards are recommended. Steel leghold traps (No. 2 or 3) may be legal in some areas. Day shooting and spotlighting are effective where legal. Livetraping with large commercial cage traps or homemade box traps are effective. The trap must be placed in the vicinity of the damage and baited with a salt-soaked cloth, sponge or piece of wood. Once caught the porcupine must be moved 25 miles or more to ensure it does not return.

Schemnitz, S.D. 1994. Porcupines. In: Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

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