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Two studies were undertaken using inert fibrous pads as a non-destructive approach to sampling microarthropod communities on the bark of broadleaved trees. In the first study, pads were suspended at heights varying from 0–5m elevation in broad leaved trees in London to determine the vertical distribution of Collembola. In the second study, pads were attached to bark with excluders restricting arthropod ingress either from above or below to check directionality of movement. Collembola were found up to 5 m up trees, with clear vertical zonation in density and species composition. Willowsia platani (Nicolet, 1841) was the most heightassociated species, but was only collected in summer. The second study suggested that Willowsia platani mainly climbed upwards, but none of the results were statistically significant.