Any creative ways to label our trees?

[Flo1919]

I have planted over 25 different oaks and chestnuts on my place since 2008, not to mention fruit trees. I have attempted to use a label maker to label the names of my trees without success. An Amish gentlemen I know suggested a piece of siding from a house and a #2 pencil but, I couldn't cut the siding very well. Does anyone have a good method of labeling their trees? Thanks. Safe hunting to all!

 

[Sam]

Here are a couple ideas i have found. I plan on labeling them with coke cans and zip ties with type and planting date.

 

[j-bird]

I tend to tag mine only on a temporary basis. Either spray paint with an "O" or "W" or the like or with surveyors tape. I am more concerned about knowing they are there than I am knowing exactly what they are. I have a buddy who likes to cut wood, but can't tell an oak from a maple and I like being able to see which trees need my help and which I need to watch out for come winter when I am swinging a saw myself.

Tags I have seen where made of beer cans cut into strips and the guy used letter metal punches to make the tags with some sort of "code". He then hung them with bailing wire. These where more often than not on small trees or on trees he planted, so it was just a loose loop of wire on a branch or on the cage.

 

[Satguy]

In the cable and satellite industry we use cable drop tags that should work fine. Just label with a sharpie.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Monopric...61730&wl11=online&wl12=40500321&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[rustybucket]

In addition to labeling in the field I created a google map with all current and future tree locations with date planted info...etc. It's accessible from my phone so I can look at it while in the field.

I've also marked and labeled trees that were native or planted by someone else.

The map really helps me plan future plantings, so that when we go out in the field to plant I essentially have planting plan and don't really have to think about where i'm planting b/c it's already been thought about. Really helps planning for the 'bigger picture'

 

[CAS_HNTR]

I just bought a 100 pack of these......they work slick and should last a long time!

https://www.amazon.com/Amekron-Impress-Aluminum-Labels-Outdoor/dp/B00U52ZIXM

 

[mattpatt]

I use the aluminum labels. Write on them with a pen or other dull object. I tried using the labels that you find on nursery plants and write on them with a sharpie. The sharpie ink was gone within 6 months.

 

[Fish]

Ive used the aluminum labels and they work great until........... you forget to remove them and the tree eats them. And if you put out enough of them, you will forget some.
Do something like rustybucket mentioned. It can be as easy as writing it down on a homemade map of sorts. After a few years, you will recognize individual species by foliage and bark. When you start paying attention to trees, you will be amazed how you can begin to pick species out by form, leaves, and bark.

 

[CentralKyHunter]

I bought a $5 punch set and punch the tree name abbreviation into a $.05 washer and hang on the cage or tree stake

 

[Nebraskaz71]

I tried writing on every single tree tube this year in permanent marker the tree and year it was planted but it faded off in a big hurry. I think i'm just gonna make a color coded master map or something.

 

[shedder]

In addition to labeling in the field I created a google map with all current and future tree locations with date planted info...etc. It's accessible from my phone so I can look at it while in the field.

I've also marked and labeled trees that were native or planted by someone else.

The map really helps me plan future plantings, so that when we go out in the field to plant I essentially have planting plan and don't really have to think about where i'm planting b/c it's already been thought about. Really helps planning for the 'bigger picture'

I do this with direct seeded trees. It helps but seedlings are near impossible to find without a marker flag so be warned. 3 ft survey flags are the only thing that work well but add up $$$ with 1000's of trees

The gps points are a real pain at typical 5-10 M GPS accuracy . Waypoints to the cm would be a godsend.

 

[144]

Thought I’d post about this, as I haven’t found any reference to it on this site. I wanted to get one of those Dymo Rhino M011 Label Makers to create aluminum tags for my grafts, but couldn’t justify the cost of new one. Ran across some references online that mentioned that the 1/2” aluminum/stainless tape that these use are compatible with the older Dymo tapewriters that you can get off of eBay for $20-50 depending on condition.

Let me tell you, these older models are built like a tank and work like a charm. The M1011’s design is based directly off of the original tapewriter design, and these are built completely out of aluminum and sometimes are chromed. The actual letter wheel is metal as well, so it should last a lot longer than the newer plastic wheels as well. I liked it so much that I bought a second one so I would have a backup.

You can find these on eBay by searching for “tapewriter” or “dymo mite”. Look for the all metal versions like the one I have pictured below. There are a ton of these being listed all the time, so you can watch for one that is in great condition. Both of the ones I have were display models (paid around $40-50 via best offer), so they were practically brand new and built in the 60s.

You can get the tape on amazon for pretty cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/DYMO-Non-Adhesive-Aluminum-Embossing-31000/dp/B000GAVV7A/

Hope this helps someone...

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[Turkish]

I use the aluminum labels. Write on them with a pen or other dull object. I tried using the labels that you find on nursery plants and write on them with a sharpie. The sharpie ink was gone within 6 months.

I wrote on the outside of the tree tubes in big bold letters with a Sharpie. Doubt they made it 6 weeks. Doh!

 

[Ben Laska]

I just use different color zip ties, throw one around a branch with some room to grow and i keep a key of which colors are which on my phone, simple, cost <$5.

 

[Jon]

lesson learned from me, I purchased aluminum name plates (like this https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Plant-Outdoor-Marker-Labels/dp/B00TQMQ4TO). At first they seemed nice, but the are hollow, and filled with a cardboard material on the interior. Over time they degrade because they are not one solid piece. They are very easy to work with however, they just don't seem to last. Also the wire that supports the connection to the tree (through the two holes in the plate is weak, so use something more robust.

 

[g squared 23]

lesson learned from me, I purchased aluminum name plates (like this https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Plant-Outdoor-Marker-Labels/dp/B00TQMQ4TO). At first they seemed nice, but the are hollow, and filled with a cardboard material on the interior. Over time they degrade because they are not one solid piece. They are very easy to work with however, they just don't seem to last. Also the wire that supports the connection to the tree (through the two holes in the plate is weak, so use something more robust.

This has been my exact experience, easy to use, but would not buy again.


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[144]

This has been my exact experience, easy to use, but would not buy again.


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Yeah, same for me. After a year, could barely even make out the writing and had to use zip ties to secure them to the tree trunk, as the holes tore out. That’s why I was pumped to find the dymo for a reasonable price. Replaced all of the impressotags two weeks ago with the dymo aluminum labels and stainless steel lock wire from harbor freight. Much happier with it now.


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