Tree Protection - 2"x4" Welded Wire Fencing

I am prepping for a busy Spring Planting Season. Today I cut 36" sections of 2"x4" welded wire fence to make 12" Diameter Tree Protection fencing. These are for trees that don't really like tree tubes such as coniferous trees, walnuts and some fruit trees. They'll also be used in areas that are under heavy pressure from deer as bucks don't like to rub their antlers on metal, but don't mind tearing up a few plastic tubes each Fall!

[@charlesdevier8203]

I use the same thing on my 3 chestnut trees. The cage has been around the 4 year old trees for over a year and no damage at all. I also use my larger "tomato cages" to put around the trees in our yard during the winter months.

[@johnsangl]

I would definitely do the same if I was only dealing with a few trees. When you get more than 450 of them, it gets a little harder. The tree tubes serve a purpose there. Good idea w the tomato cages too.

[@waylonlegend4603]

Should I go with 4 or 5’ tubes. My idea was to go with 4’ tubes surrounded with 4’ fence. Once the chestnut grows out of the tube I’ll remove it and it will have the fence.

[@waylonlegend4603]

Did you have problems with the branches wanting to out of the sides of the fence and not straight up?

[@allenglasgow3813]

I cut at 4 ft slitely larger than what u use try laying out on ground entire 100 ft length make a 8ft stick marked in middle lay down at one end of wire use lopers long enough so that u dont need to bend over make first cut at middle mark alternating next to upright wires. wire together with three of stub wires at top middle and bottom scrounge old decking , cut to 4-5 ft length and rip at 1 inch and make point by running free hand through table saw weave stake between wire starting in at bottom and out near top so u can drive stake in with top outside cage in most cases one stake is enough because it will be fairly tightly woven in cage u get 5 stakes from a 2x6. A 4ft cage is a compromise sometimes a deer will break off a top but a new leader will form. U can raise the cage as the tree grows as the stake will be woven tight enough to still suport it when u lay out 100 ft of wire put a stake or 2 in the wire lenght wise at each end this will keep it from rolling up i can give u more hints on planting trees i plant thousands

[@johnsangl]

Pretty awesome tip and I could follow your instructions. Thanks for sharing. I’m happy to hear Any other tips you might have as well.

[@waylonlegend4603]

I’m going with fencing for the chestnuts. But I’m worried about the branches poking through the gaps. I was going to use shrink wrap around them.

[@johnsangl]

If you use shrink-wrap, be prepared to use much heavier-duty stakes than without shrink-wrap. That will definitely catch a lot of wind. I really only care about the leader of the tree below 6 foot - any side branches will ultimately be trimmed anyway so I don't worry about grazing on branches that poke through the gaps.

[@allenglasgow3813]

a few more comments u can keep the leader of the tree centered by putting 1-3 sticks through through the cage near the top if the top gets broken u want to develope as straight a new leader as possible if u have 2-3 new branches pull them together with the best as straight as possible and tape with 1in masking tape will last a year or so. if not use a thin straight stick and tape to remaining trunk and new leader with new leader as straight as possible without too much strain. if you are doing a forestry planting talk to us agriculture dept about equip program , they will pay for plantings under certain circumstances. i got 300 trees ( 4-5 ft in pots) and cage wire for free for first 100 ft from river (which eventually flows into the chesapeak bay)and $4.00 each for the other 900 trees i planted in flood plane i recently commented on how i save on wire and how i grow seedlings to 4-5 ft( in another recent tree cage youtube video) before i re-dig for final planting

[@johnsangl]

Great tips! The 1-3 sticks thru the cage - do they brace against the edge of the cage or extend all the way to the ground? How do you secure them to the leader?

[@allenglasgow3813]

the cage is about 15 in wide , use sticks about 2-5 ft long ,a stick with a fork or 2 is even better. simply stick them through the cage in a way that straighens the leader by pressure do not secure stick to tree i put the sticks through the cage about 1-5 squares down u can straighten a somewhat bent tree by putting a stick on one side down low and on the other side somewhat above the sticks are not secured at all im just talking about sticks i pick up off ground or cut from nearby bushes i am trying to grow timber trees so a straight trunk that is gradually trimed to 20 -24 ft to center all knots is ideal if the tree is centered this makes it a little harder for deer to break the leader and the sticks poking out 6-12 in may help a little

[@johnm1199]

Tip . I use 10 feet so when the tree gets to be 5 feet deer can't get to them . Making them small will cost you years worth of growth if they get browsed

[@johnsangl]

The 2nd roll of fencing you see in the picture will be larger circles for that very reason. Appreciate you watching & commenting!

[@cherieiduke1723]

I asked on a previous video where you got your hazelnuts for growing. I would like to add persimmon to my yard also. And you're not just an hour or 2 from ohio lol

[@johnsangl]

Hazelnut seed is from Burnt Ridge Nursery.

[@terrypatrick3406]

good luck turkey hunting

[@johnsangl]

Thanks Terry! Posted a video of the trip this evening.

[@maryverrinder1561]

What do you use as a stake to hold the wire in place?

[@johnsangl]

Either 1/2" rebar or a 1" treated pine stake. Either one is 5ft tall driven at least 1 foot into the ground. There is very little wind resistance to wire cages so I don't double-stake and I haven't had to fix leaning cages like I do with tree tubes.