I use the 5' Miracle tubes and ordered them from here.What kind of tubes and where you do order from? I've been thinking about planting some white oaks in my oak wilt devastated areas. Seems like tubes could be a good way to get them established and out of reach without caging.
The first tubes I bought were the ones in Scott's link. I still have them and am using them...they must be 10-12 years old. The link I posted is a tube made by the same company and they look nearly identical. The new ones have a seam down the side so they split more easily when the trunk gets big enough, but that's the only difference I can see. They are also supposed to be lighter material, but I can't really tell the difference.
If I had to pick a favorite tube, this would be it I think
https://www.treeprotectionsupply.com/tree-tubes/tree-pro/tree-pro-5-ft/
Must be the soil, this spot was farmed until I got the land and planted trees. Before it was crops it was used for cattle. Sandy loam under the first 6" or so. Not all my soils are like this, but its nice to even have some! Other than that I dip most everything i plant in Water Sorb. Put a slow release fertilizer tab near the conifers, spray them with Deer Stopper concentrate a few times that first year, and pull the weeds occasionally. I'm sure it's more nature than my doing though :) The 77's I got were much fuller and healthier than the example they show in their website too.wow! How'd you manage so much growth so quickly?