Question on window screen at tree bases

[Native Hunter]

I'd never had a tree gnawed at ground line so always felt I didn't need to use the screen. But this spring I found one that had been damaged, so I'm in the notion of going back and adding the screen now to pears and apples.

For you guys who have done this, please share your method.

What kind of screen do you use that will last the best?

Does anyone have pictures?

How far do you go below ground line and what is your method for installing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[browndog]

I use 36" aluminum window screen or hardware cloth. I try to bury it about 2". Do not use the fiberglass window screen.

 

[Native Hunter]

I use 36" aluminum window screen or hardware cloth. I try to bury it about 2". Do not use the fiberglass window screen.

Thanks - how do you attach it on the ends? Do you fold it to leave room for tree growth?

 

[Merle Hawggard]

I use a small stapler to hold it together, as the tree grows it should pop the staples out. If no one else gets a pic for you I can tomorrow. Hopefully with a rather large Tom in front of it.

 

[Native Hunter]

I use a small stapler to hold it together, as the tree grows it should pop the staples out. If no one else gets a pic for you I can tomorrow. Hopefully with a rather large Tom in front of it.

LOL on the tom turkey!! Looking forward to the pics.

 

[browndog]

Thanks - how do you attach it on the ends? Do you fold it to leave room for tree growth?

The hardware cloth I bought came with aluminum wire, so I used that to tie the ends together. The alumuinum window screen, I fold the end a few times and staple it with a paper stapler. I leave room for some growth. I prefer the hardware cloth.

 

[Native Hunter]

The hardware cloth I bought came with aluminum wire, so I used that to tie the ends together. The alumuinum window screen, I fold the end a few times and staple it with a paper stapler. I leave room for some growth. I prefer the hardware cloth.

Good info! Thanks!

 

[Turkey Creek]

I prefer the metal window screen as it will also keep apple tree borers out of the base of your tree while it as young at least. Easier to cut and lower cost as well. Anything over 1/4" openings will allow mice and vole entry.

 

[Native Hunter]

I prefer the metal window screen as it will also keep apple tree borers out of the base of your tree while it as young at least. Easier to cut and lower cost as well. Anything over 1/4" openings will allow mice and vole entry.

Chris, how long will it last? Also, do you feel that when the tree matures that you still need it? My thought are maybe not on a full sized tree but maybe on a semi dwarf??

 

[Catscratch]

Like many of these guys I prefer window screen. It's cheap, easy, and effective. The first trees I did with it I used scissors to cut it, and a stapler bind it. I found myself carrying too much crap around to plant trees so now I use a knife to cut it (the blade will follow on of the columns) and folding to bind it.

Here are a couple of pics that had screen in it. Not sure you can tell much from them but you might get the idea.

 

[browndog]

Here is hardware cloth that has been around a crabapple for two years.

 

[Turkey Creek]

Chris, how long will it last? Also, do you feel that when the tree matures that you still need it? My thought are maybe not on a full sized tree but maybe on a semi dwarf??

It will last several years. You dont need it on mature trees for rabbits or mice. I dont recall seeing a study done on borers in regards to long term benefit.

 

[CrazyEd]

I like to go at least 12" wide and 36" if not 48" tall but we get a good amount of snow up this way. I prefer aluminum window screen and buy 100' rolls on Amazon. Com. I've had the same screen on trees for 7 years now. I'm going to use it as long as I can. It's a cheap way to protect my investment.

 

[CrazyEd]

 

[sandbur]

I fold that screen over and staple it to itself in a couple more places. Then rotate it so the folded over part is on the south and SW side of the tree. More shade for sunscauld protection!

Is that snow around the base or are you adding something else?

 

[CrazyEd]

I fold that screen over and staple it to itself in a couple more places. Then rotate it so the folded over part is on the south and SW side of the tree. More shade for sunscauld protection!

Is that snow around the base or are you adding something else?

Lime

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Native Hunter]

Great information everyone. Thanks so much.

 

[Native Hunter]

PS: Crazy Ed - I found that screen on Amazon and ordered it. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

Native - I use the same method as Crazy Ed in his pic. I use 32" aluminum screen and cut it to 12" long pieces off the roll. The 32" side goes vertically up the trunk and sits directly on the landscape cloth. I fold the 12" dimension in half around the tree trunk and staple it shut with a paper stapler. I staple the long side at the edges, and the top & bottom in to the trunk so I can fit a finger inside the bottom and top for growth. I end up with a wrap of screen 32" tall and 6" wide once stapled shut. I sit the screen down tight to the landscape cloth and then pile 4" of crushed, pea-sized limestone all over the landscape cloth tight to the screen. The screen then is 4" below the level of limestone. Mice and voles won't burrow thru the limestone because it's sharp & jagged and it caves in on any attempt to tunnel. In 4 years and 61 trees - no mice, voles or chewing. Ed's pic on post #14 is a good illustration of what I do - except I cover ALL the landscape cloth right out to the cage. Limestone is cheap here.

As to mature trees needing screen ........ we had a beautiful large, older tree get killed one winter by girdling mice and/or voles. What a heartbreaker that was. It was just the one tree - but it CAN happen !!!

 

[greyphase]

I use the window screen like most guys but with a little twist. After I make my cylinder I cut a 4-6 inch slit on at the bottom opposite where I stapled it together to create 2 flaps that I think help hold down the screen when I cover it with gravel.