Newly planted trees must be protected

By Bev Johnson | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, December 1, 2007

Bunkey is having tree problems. Last year he gave his wife an ornamental apple tree for her birthday. Being a little bit lazy, he didn't get mulch around it for a couple of weeks.

In the meantime, he mowed the grass. Cutting too close to the tree, he bumped the trunk leaving a nasty scar. The weed whip made the next ding.

The rabbits and mice feasted on the nice tender bark all winter. Bunkey dug up a dead birthday tree this spring.

So, how do you protect young trees? First of all, do mulch out to the dripline of your new tree. This not only keeps the nasty machines from damaging the bark, it also keeps water from evaporating as quickly, keeps the roots cool and eventually, feeds the tree as the mulch rots.

Trees have a thin layer of cells called the cambium that is just below the bark. This layer transports water and nutrients to and from the roots and leaves. Anything that damages this cambium not only weakens a tree, but makes it more vulnerable to disease and insects.

In the summer, the ring of mulch will protect the tree. In the winter, you will need to use some type of tree guard, something that protects the trunk from animals and weather.

The protection should have ventilation holes to allow the trunk to breathe. Moisture build-up can cause the bark to split, which is why most guards should be removed in the summer.

Tree guards should extend several inches below the soil and be high enough to be above the snow. Here are some guards that the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has studied.

Arborgard — (All measurements are in centimeters. It's Canada, after all.) These are plastic forms that have ventilation holes. They are 23 centimeters tall and fir around a trunk up to 10 centimeters in diameter.

Texguard — This a bright blue plastic mesh sheet. Their ads say they are easy to see.

Can you just visualize a row of bright blue trees against the white snow? Great look for Easter.

These will not have to be removed as they break down in sunlight in a few years.

Paper wrap — This will protect your tree trunk from weather but not animal damage. Burlap does the same thing. Hardware cloth keeps the beavers and rodents from lunching but is no protection from sunscald.

If you are desperate, you can cut the tops and bottoms from liter pop bottles. Cut them up the sides and stack them four high with each one on the outside of the bottle below. Do take them off in the spring when the weather settles. They look pretty ugly.

Trees are a long-term investment. Plant them properly. Give them proper protection and pruning and you will add thousands of dollars of value to your property. They are also nice to sit under with a drink on a hot day and watch your neighbors mow grass when you are done mowing yours.