I’m new to planting fruit trees. I planted my first apple and crabapple trees — all from NWC — in late April in Zone 4a (Minnesota). I used 5’ welded wire to keep the deer away and used hardware cloth to keep voles/rabbits away. The hardware cloth is 6-7” in diameter. I’ve read a lot lately about using pea gravel or crushed limestone around apple trees in order to keep small critters away, especially in winter. I know such rock is put around (OUTSIDE) hardware cloth or screening, but I’m wondering if anyone recommends putting rock INSIDE the hardware cloth or screening, as long as the rock is not touching the actual tree trunk. Thoughts?
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PROTECTION: Rock Inside Hardware Cloth or Screen?
- Thread starter JAW
- Start date
Apple Junkie
5 year old buck +
It sounds like you're doing a great job of protecting your trees now.
I don't use pea-stone myself, but my guess is that you don't need to put it inside the hardware cloth since the purpose of using it is to protect the trunk against rodents. If the rodent happens to get inside your hardware cloth, the stone is not going to protect your tree.
I thought the purpose of using pea-stone inside the welded wire was to hold down weed-matting. I could be mistaken about this... so I hope someone can add to my response and let both of know if using pea-stone is helpful by itself, or if it's sole purpose is to hold weed-matting in place.
I don't use pea-stone myself, but my guess is that you don't need to put it inside the hardware cloth since the purpose of using it is to protect the trunk against rodents. If the rodent happens to get inside your hardware cloth, the stone is not going to protect your tree.
I thought the purpose of using pea-stone inside the welded wire was to hold down weed-matting. I could be mistaken about this... so I hope someone can add to my response and let both of know if using pea-stone is helpful by itself, or if it's sole purpose is to hold weed-matting in place.
sandbur
5 year old buck +
I would staple tight to the trunk on top and tight to the rootstock on the bottom. Leave some extra window screen stapled together for growth.
Get that window screen low enough to be covered by dirt and not exposed if the tree sways in the wind.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Get that window screen low enough to be covered by dirt and not exposed if the tree sways in the wind.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bowsnbucks
5 year old buck +
The explanation given to me about using crushed limestone - which is what I use - involves 2 purposes. 1 - It holds down the landscape cloth. 2 - The sharp, jagged edges of crushed limestone chips are painful for any critter trying to tunnel into it, through it, under it. And they ARE sharp!! Also it caves in on any mouse or vole trying to tunnel.
We've been covering our landscape cloths with about 3" to 4" of crushed limestone chips when we plant the trees. 3' x 3' square of landscape cloth - 3' x 3' of limestone chips 3" to 4" deep. The aluminum window screen is put in place BEFORE the chips go down, so the chips act like a protective "moat" around the screen. More or less like a sharp, jagged "mine field."
Since using this method - beginning in 2013 - we haven't had any chewing by mice or voles on any of our trees. This is NOT my idea - I learned it from others.
We've been covering our landscape cloths with about 3" to 4" of crushed limestone chips when we plant the trees. 3' x 3' square of landscape cloth - 3' x 3' of limestone chips 3" to 4" deep. The aluminum window screen is put in place BEFORE the chips go down, so the chips act like a protective "moat" around the screen. More or less like a sharp, jagged "mine field."
Since using this method - beginning in 2013 - we haven't had any chewing by mice or voles on any of our trees. This is NOT my idea - I learned it from others.
hardscape mulch like pea gravel or limestone chips can be placed immediately adjacent to the trunk of a small tree - still use a wire barrier - with little concern for injury to the tree. ANY mulch product that will hold moisture should be kept 2-3 inches away from the trunk. Since stone will dry quickly, without harming the tree, I frequently run stone up against the trunk before placing a barrier (hardware cloth) around the trunk. Remember, any mulch that holds moisture should be kept away from the trunk.
