Tree tubes on shrubs?

[Powder]

I'm planning on planting serviceberry (juneberry) this spring. Would using tree tubes help?

 

[rocksnstumps]

If you are worried about getting browsed too much right away, tree tubes work fine for a few years. Better than not having any protection. Longer term will probably have to cage to get them to start spreading out. I have about 1/2 doz dogwoods that grew quickly with the tube greenhouse effect but now the tubes are pretty choked with multi-stems and nothing gets established outside the tube. I have to pull the tubes and start putting cages up to give them a little more critical mass before the onslaught of browsing that is likely to occur when I pull everything. I had tubes on hand and no fencing at the time so why not. If I had to buy either one to start with I would go with a cage from the start. Did just that with a couple of serviceberry among other shrubs planted last year but no quick growth like a tube gives. Hope to see some growth spurts the 2nd and years ahead.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

I like cages for shrubs if I have any extra cages lying around. Tree tubes make them tall and spindly, but they are definitely better than nothing. Once the shrubs grow without browsing for two years it seems they can hold their own much better.

 

[Tree Spud]

I'm planning on planting serviceberry (juneberry) this spring. Would using tree tubes help?

How many?

Cages are your best bet as the tube fills up very quickly. A cage will allow faster bush development even though some lower branches may get browsed.

.