Area Extension Horticulturist 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.
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. Day shooting and spotlighting are effective where legal.