Tubes vs cages - update

[cutman]

Some may remember that I planted numerous pears over the last few years. Some were tubed and others were caged. While it is true that the tubed trees really took off, I am much happier with the caged trees. The tubed trees are simply too top heavy, and strong winds have done a number on them.

Will take pictures over the next week, but for now wanted to revisit this discussion and state unequivocally that I would choose cages over tubes on fruit trees moving forward. In fact, I would avoid tubes completely (i.e. I wouldn't cage AND tube).

I still love tubes for hardwoods.

 

[Mennoniteman]

Some may remember that I planted numerous pears over the last few years. Some were tubed and others were caged. While it is true that the tubed trees really took off, I am much happier with the caged trees. The tubed trees are simply too top heavy, and strong winds have done a number on them.

Will take pictures over the next week, but for now wanted to revisit this discussion and state unequivocally that I would choose cages over tubes on fruit trees moving forward. In fact, I would avoid tubes completely (i.e. I wouldn't cage AND tube).

I still love tubes for hardwoods.

What are your thoughts as far as not tubing if you cage? Do tubes adversely affect the trees?

 

[cutman]

What are your thoughts as far as not tubing if you cage? Do tubes adversely affect the trees?

In my experience, the tubes cause too much vertical growth before the trunk can support the weight. When you add in fruit and the extra weight that provides you are asking for trouble.

My tubed trees are all leaning or blown over. My caged trees are perfectly fine. AND the caged trees are catching up in height, so the initial growth advantage provided by tubes was only temporary.

 

[lakngolf]

Many of the trees we plant. PEAR CHESTNUT ETC are fast growers anyway. They need to resist some wind and conditions early so that can stand tall later. But protection is a must for certain trees in my area.

 

[Chainsaw]

That is a very useful observation Cutman. I have never used tubes--only cages. None of my caged trees have been blown over or bent down from apple weight. Besides the cages I also wrapped the trunks in hardware cloth. I guess I won't try the tubes;we get lots of sustained heavy winds here.

 

[Baker]

I also have a problem with bucks destroying the tubes then destroying the trees rubbing all the bark off. A downside of a bunch of mature bucks

I like cages much better.

 

[lakngolf]

I also have a problem with bucks destroying the tubes then destroying the trees rubbing all the bark off. A downside of a bunch of mature bucks

I like cages much better.

What a tough problem to have. Invite us all down to help thin the heard.
Save a tree kill a buck, does not quite have the same charm as Save a horse ride a cowboy!

 

[Tap]

I also have a problem with bucks destroying the tubes then destroying the trees rubbing all the bark off. A downside of a bunch of mature bucks

I like cages much better.

My property is littered with destroyed tubes. It's total carnage.
But it's not just antlered bucks that wreck tubes. I watched a button buck smash one with his front hooves. The juvenile delinquent looked like he was having a blast doing it. I'm pretty sure he'll grow up to be a buck that goes out of his way to rub my most valuable trees!

 

[Mennoniteman]

What types of cages are you guys making/using?

 

[Tap]

What types of cages are you guys making/using?

I bought solid tubes from Plantra.
The plus side of those was that the deer didn't destroy them AS MUCH (they still attack them), but the solid tubes did attract mice. I've had some prime trees get girded by mice nesting in solid tubes.
I had a buddy give up on mesh tubes and he gave them to me. Those were the style that deer destroyed the most.
I gave the extras away...
BTW, how are they working for you Catscratch?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[catscratch]

I gave the extras away...
BTW, how are they working for you Catscratch?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Thanks for sending them to me, but I don't like them. Total pain in the ass! You can say it now (the "I told ya so" that I deserve).

 

[X-farmerdan]

I offer this for what ever it's worth. It's written by an acquaintance. Whitescarver was a District Conservationist for NRCS her in Virginia for nearly 30-years. He now farms, consults, and conducts independent scientific research. He's well spoken and can tell you what's white and what's black. As with all things, how findings apply to your situation always varies and requires a leap of faith.

http://www.gettingmoreontheground.c...rth-it-and-if-so-when-should-they-be-removed/

 

[dogdoc]

I have had one tube destroyed and have over 100 on my 160 acres. I think it must have been coons trying to get a wasp nest because it was chewed to pieces. I have lots of apples and pears in tubes. If I'm lazy I just toss a tube on it. If I have plenty of time I cage. I prefer a cage for fruits because it is easier to prune low branches. Sure, they grow straight up faster but the tubes support the fruit trees and I plan on leaving the tubes on for the life of the tube. I have lost one pear tree that was tubed to some type of varmint. Probably a vole because the roots were eaten--the base was not girdled. Next time I am out I will take pics of several apples and pears that I have tubed. I have never had a deer destroy a tube but have had a few that were pulled up and it was probably a deer.

 

[Brushpile]

I had trouble with trees growing up the tube and becoming both weak and also becoming chaffed on the rim of the tube. This was my solution and it works like a charm. If the tree is high value a cage is also added.

I use both, but if I had to select one over the other, I would go with a cage.