Pear tree damage even with 5’ tube!

Paradise725

Well-Known Member

• Jul 28, 2018

• #1

I was disappointed to find that one of my pear trees had been broken off inside of my tube. I noticed some browse on these earlier in the summer so I’m guessing maybe a deer on its hind legs bent the tube over and broke it? Anyone else had this kind of experience?

Luckily there were green leaves below the part that had broken, so I’m optimistic the tree will survive.


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Z

Zeek

Member

• Jul 28, 2018

• #2

Yup. Have to cage them. No matter how much food is out there, unprotected, or under protected fruit trees will be found and eaten.

 

Keith Nehrke

Member

• Jul 29, 2018

• #3

I had half of my sawtooth oak mangled in their tubes sometime over the past two weeks. No clue why, and it was only in a single area. Most of the trees were recoverable as they were only 1-yr in the ground. I always cage fruit trees, but still had something do a number on one of my pear last year inside the cage. We don't get many bear, but I suspect a lone male wandering looking for a home.

 

Tap

Well-Known Member

• Jul 29, 2018

• #4

Paradise725 said:

I was disappointed to find that one of my pear trees had been broken off inside of my tube. I noticed some browse on these earlier in the summer so I’m guessing maybe a deer on its hind legs bent the tube over and broke it? Anyone else had this kind of experience?

Luckily there were green leaves below the part that had broken, so I’m optimistic the tree will survive.


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I hate tubes for that very reason. I've had that same thing happen way too many times. I think a cure may be to double stake the tube with sometime like rebar. I've watched young deer smashing tubes with their front hooves. They looked like destructive juvenile delinquents just out for vandalism...I've watched it happen with my own 2 eyes.
But I've also had mice nest right inside the tube. They live and sleep right in the kitchen...I've had lots of trees girded right within mouse nests.
Cage trees. Tubes suck.

 

X-farmerdan

Well-Known Member

• Jul 29, 2018

• #5

I don't have trees and no personal experience with tubes. But, I have heard that not all tubes are created equal. Now, I can't remember the name(s) of the good one(s). If I remember, I'll ask NRCS on Tuesday. We do a lot of CREP riaprian buffers here. Tree plantings are required. After several experiences like those you describe above, one brand of tube survives. A lot of help that is, I know. I'll make a note....

Here's a quick read from a man for whom I have the utmost respect. It's a quick read and probably nothing more than yo already know.....
https://www.gettingmoreontheground....rth-it-and-if-so-when-should-they-be-removed/

 

Last edited: Jul 29, 2018

Paradise725

Well-Known Member

• Jul 30, 2018

• #6

So I’ve got 10 pears and 3 chestnuts (thanks Wayne), all in 5’ tubex combitubes. I’ve been lucky enough that they have all survived into their second year, so I can’t say that I’m disappointed in the tubes. I just didn’t realize a deer would damage them in this way. I plan to cage them at some point, but was thinking that would be a couple years down the road at which point I will remove the tubes. Thanks everyone. Sounds like it’s just a hazard that all of us land managers deal with!


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TreeDaddy

Well-Known Member

• Jul 30, 2018

• #7

Raccoons jack with tubes in search of wasps

i knew we would get back to tubes v cages at some point........

bill

 

Nebraskaz71

Active Member

• Jul 30, 2018

• #8

I've got 5ft cages 4ft wide and they still get to them and eat a bunch, I've learned especially this year to hate tubes for everything including oaks.

 

g squared 23

Well-Known Member

• Jul 30, 2018

• #9

Tubes suck bruh. Cages will last years and years.


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Tap

Well-Known Member

• Jul 31, 2018

• #10

g squared 23 said:

Tubes suck bruh. Cages will last years and years.


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I agree with your assessment on tubes.
Cages last for years unless they are repeatedly smashed with front loader buckets like some of us are known to do...over and over again
Tree planting lesson...always allow more space between them than you think you'll ever need...then add a few more feet before you dig the hole. Ask me how I know........

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