Protect Trees From Gophers

Gophers can cause severe damage and even kill newly planted trees. So I make wire baskets to put in the hole with the tree, which protects the tree's roots long enough to allow that tree to become established and once that tree is established the gophers can't do much harm to the tree. This works not only for gophers but for moles and voles as well.
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[@learntocrochet1]

Thank you for actually showing - in detail - how to make these. Clear instructions at the right speed, and without a lot of preliminary chatter.

[@HelloMoto1991]

One question. Aren’t those holes too big? All of the gopher holes I have ever seen seem to be about the same size. Would a smaller chicken wire work better?

[@RandyKraege]

Most recommend hardware cloth with smaller holes and leave some above ground too, i have gophers and rabbits to contend with!

[@carjeep3750]

From what I have read 3/4 hex works fine.

[@badgerholefarm2656]

Gophers are new to us and with all my research I learned pretty quickly we better take this seriously before planting. Thanks for the money saver tip!

[@SuzanneBandick]

Great info Rob thanks. So what happens with the tree roots as they grow and become larger than the wire holes they protrude through?

[@TheWordWithJJ]

I imagine they just grow around the wire and it kind of just disappears.

[@DeeDee-rr3sn]

Gophers can totally get through that

[@izquier]

They jump over unless you cover some or most of the ground with chicken wire.

[@WhimsicalWonderFarm]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see the tree planting!

[@AZFarms]

Thank you for watching!!

[@susanmyer1]

Looks easy enough. Thanks for showing me exactly how to do it.

[@Cmsnd]

Chicken wire won't do it. Hardware cloth is needed.

[@Miss_Judy]

excellent excellent idea! I had to put wire down over my garden to keep wild cats from using it as a litter box - I never thought about putting wire down under the ground - that is such an excellent idea!

[@AZFarms]

Thank you for watching Judy!!

[@evanspark1510]

I dont know about this cause theres a reason landscapers dont use poultry wire vs the smaller holed gopher wire which by the way is two times more expensive when installing new sod. The gopher babys or young are small enough to squeeze thru the holes! if you are gonna use that chicken wire of even stucco mesh, double it up!

[@katietalbot1942]

Now I want to be a farmer. What size wire would you use for voles?

[@souzou1000]

The gophers will go through that chicken wire...u need smaller opening, I heard the baskets will cause damage to roots when they are established

[@nataliestarbuck561]

Love your channel Rob! We have voles here but have also had problems with rabbits eating the bark so I wonder if leaving part of the basket above ground would help or do you have a better suggestion for rabbits. Thanks!

[@AZFarms]

You absolutely can! I know someone who did this and it kept the rabbits off! You can also use white tree wrap! I have no experience with the tree wrap but I have been told it works!

[@darrisnelson5223]

HAHAHAHA! The gophers around here would make quick work of that chicken wire . . . I use gopher wire and depending on the tree I'll often double it up so they don't look nearly as pretty as yours do ; ) I've never lost a tree or shrub to gophers using wire. I tend to leave mine slightly above the soil level. Great video, thanks!

[@AZFarms]

You are welcome and thanks for watching!

[@christinelange-pp3vs]

Thanks for the video Informative. Are those White boots. I worked for the Forest service. We all wore Whites.

[@ltlbnsgarden]

That is an awesome tip, thank you so much for sharing. in 2015 I had a beautiful rose bush and one day it disappeared, I think it was a gopher LOL, but he hasn't been here again.

[@AZFarms]

Sorry about your rose bush, but now that you now how to protect it from gophers its time to get a new one! Thanks for watching!!

[@Chris-dw6cu]

Are bigger baskets needed for dwarf fruit trees than plants? Or do you think I could use 9x9 baskets for them? Seems like the roots will find their way through the openings no matter what but I'm not sure

[@christasmicroflowerfarm2695]

Cool idea, gladly we don't have gophers here in Australia.

[@AZFarms]

Lucky you! Thanks for watching!!

[@Goldeneyes2534]

Thank you. Perfect demo.

[@CRUNCHYBABY]

Will this prevent gopher from entering through the top of soil. From this video appears that the bottom of roots is protected with wire, but top of soil is open and not protected by wire....

[@krislenzini6429]

Thats too big holes. Goohers, moles, and voles can fit right through it. I leave mine up because they cant get over the top and it protects the trunk from the weed wacker

[@bryanbilbrey9014]

Cut roll in half..wrap one roll around an eight inch card board form... Make one cut vertically. Every thing is done with two cuts

[@nataliehunt7554]

Ive seen most tutorials leaving bottom open. Any issues with this strategy long term?

[@sujannna]

Excellent video. helpful without blathering on. thanks for this tutorial.

[@8BitChickn]

Im going to have to do this to protect my elderberries!

[@AZFarms]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!!

[@hanktapia2016]

At the time that I made a comment on this video they were 4 dislikes what's not to like about this simple good idea that helps people save money, headaches and of course aggravation 4 dislikes really people get your head out of your butt.

[@sportsonwheelss]

you will be the fifth one to dislike when the gopher kill your plant. You will cure it for wasting your time and money because the basket shown fail its intended purpose

[@lisasawicke6878]

This is great! Thanks for the tip.

[@AZFarms]

Thanks for watching!!

[@alyssaheart6613]

The chickens sure like to be the center of attention. lol

[@AZFarms]

Alyssa Heart Yeah they like to supervise

[@filipinausasimpleliving9908]

I think the chicken wants to help you . anyway . Thanks for the tips ,, love your videos

[@AZFarms]

Awww! Thanks for watching Jen! I really appreciate it! ;)

[@infoinfo3594]

@@AZFarms what happens to the basket once the tree establishes and roots gets larger than the basket capacity?

[@susieawalt7416]

Rob, will this hinder the root systems at all? I am about to plant elderberries and have a mole problem

[@AZFarms]

No, it will not hinder the root system at all

[@krislenzini6429]

Tree roots will push stuff out of the way. Ask anyone who hadcto replace a pipe

[@infoinfo3594]

what happens to the basket once the tree establishes and roots gets larger than the basket capacity?

[@Laurel-Crowned]

The wire rusts pretty quickly so maybe within a few years there won't be much left

[@marckvaler3726]

great ! ill try this whit voles, i have lost to many plants

[@DR-pw2rh]

The Gophers climb over my basket, thats two inches above the ground. They make a dirt mound over the wire and eat the small tree.

[@hardwareclothwww.sebossfen6011]

Hi,Nice job, You have done a good work to protect trees, you have a very impressive beautiful environment. Thanks for your ideas, Just for who need SEBOSS hardware cloth,1/2,1/4 opening ,19 GA, Hot dip galvanized after welding, double galvanized, strong and sturdy, delicate and beautiful, suitable as gopher wire, protect lawn/garden from all kinds of gophers.

[@ideaman4595]

i really learned something here, thankyou

[@Brighten-up-sunshine]

Amazing - Have a great Toy Filled Day ElsaBell The Little TeaPot and friends

[@AZFarms]

Thanks for watching

[@Brighten-up-sunshine]

sure thing when you get a moment stop by our channel thanks

[@sakutasu]

Thanks!

[@skorpyo45]

I'm going to use this technique but position it the other way around to protect the plants from monkey damage!