The Asherah poles were often mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the ways the Israelites sinned against the Lord and worshiped other gods.
An Asherah pole was a sacred pole (or sometimes a tree) that was used in the worship of the pagan goddess Asherah. Asherah poles were also referred to in Scripture as the "high places." This is likely due to the worship being done on hilltops and mountains.
Asherah was considered a goddess of fertility. those who worshiped Asherah were also often involved in sexual practices prohibited by God.