weekender21
Well-Known Member
Who makes the best tree tubes? Is there a big difference between the brands? I've been eyeing Sunflex tubes from Plantra and Miracle tubes from Tree Pro.
Best tree tube and stakes
- Thread starter weekender21
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weekender21
Well-Known Member
Tubex tubes from Tree Protection Supply also a contender.
Paradise725
Well-Known Member
Tubex combitube from TPS is what I have used and have had good luck with so far.
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Keith Nehrke
Member
x2 for combitubes.
T-Max
Well-Known Member
I used the treeprotection tubes for the last 500 I got,if ordering enough you can deal sometimes as shipping is what kills you.Some states are offering in their cost share now also.There are advantages and disadvantages to both type of stakes i have tried.The treated wood can warp and break and the plastic conduit are cheap but if you don't bury bottom of tube it can twist around stake.I ran 1 wrap of gorilla tape around top of stake and tube to stop this on mine.Cheapest way is to find some people to go in and order abunch as a pallet is the way larger quantities ship
Redonthehead
Member
Very happy with my 700 five foot "Tree Pro Max Grow Tube" from TPS. Started 4? years ago with rebar stakes but have 1/2" pvc conduit on most.
weekender21
Well-Known Member
dogghr
Well-Known Member
Check around, Weekender, since you are in NC/ or Hawaii you lucky dog, I bought my Tubex from one of TPS suppliers near Charlottesville VA, when TPS was out of stock. They were super people to deal with, not really set up for retail but got my order in 2 days. Actually talked to the fellow for half an hour about little of everything that day. I'm not near my info right now but you should be able to google and track them down. Got a better price.
I've used Tubex Combitubes, Miracle Tubes, and Ben Meadows Plastic Rigid Mesh. The latter aren't worth the time and effort.
The build quality of the Combitubes is better. They're easier to push into the ground. The Miracle Tubes are white vs. light green and a bit more translucent. I haven't had either installed long enough to determine differences in growth due to increased light.
A third option which hasn't been discussed is wire fencing and weed mats. More labor to install/make, but the trees may harden off better without a substantial difference in growth 5 years down the road. If you have a good source of chicken wire, it may be a cheaper option.
For stakes, I will never install wood again. Warping, rotting, and the weight of them (for transport) is an issue. I used 1/2" pvc, and I was surprised at how quick it was to cut several hundred 5' lengths. The cost came to only $0.60/stake, which is tough to beat.
The build quality of the Combitubes is better. They're easier to push into the ground. The Miracle Tubes are white vs. light green and a bit more translucent. I haven't had either installed long enough to determine differences in growth due to increased light.
A third option which hasn't been discussed is wire fencing and weed mats. More labor to install/make, but the trees may harden off better without a substantial difference in growth 5 years down the road. If you have a good source of chicken wire, it may be a cheaper option.
For stakes, I will never install wood again. Warping, rotting, and the weight of them (for transport) is an issue. I used 1/2" pvc, and I was surprised at how quick it was to cut several hundred 5' lengths. The cost came to only $0.60/stake, which is tough to beat.
weekender21
Well-Known Member
That's too bad about the plastic rigid mesh. I bought a few in case I had trees to big to get a standard tube over. The plan was to use them on the more mature trees (only the ones I can't get a tube on) then cage them. I'm planning to cage all trees in addition to the tubes. That will go out the window if I plant more than a few dozen trees.
So it sounds like the Tubex and Miricle tubes (Tree Protection Supply and Tree Protector) are both good options. Are the Sunflex tubes from Plantra less popular because of they cost more or are they actually a lesser product?
Thanks for all the help, this site rocks!
So it sounds like the Tubex and Miricle tubes (Tree Protection Supply and Tree Protector) are both good options. Are the Sunflex tubes from Plantra less popular because of they cost more or are they actually a lesser product?
Thanks for all the help, this site rocks!
MarkDarvin
Well-Known Member
Tubex. I also do buy the fiberglass rods from Plantra though.
One big thing I like about Tubex is the flared top. I had all kinds of plantra tubes from years past, and their non-flared edge on top has rubbed through the cambium on lots of trees. I've had to go back and cut the tops down once the tree reached above the safe browse line to keep it from any further damage.
One big thing I like about Tubex is the flared top. I had all kinds of plantra tubes from years past, and their non-flared edge on top has rubbed through the cambium on lots of trees. I've had to go back and cut the tops down once the tree reached above the safe browse line to keep it from any further damage.
