RIP in pieces

[Pitoon]

That really sucks! This winter I had deer pretty much decimate all most all of my azalea buds. So it's looking like I won't have any flowers or very, very few at all.

The nippons should send up some shoots from the base/roots so don't toss them yet.

 

[Crawforde]

Ouch
That was a really nice tree

 

[RJG2]

Total bummer dude. Especially that privet. I took some screen shots of Matt’s setup from his Instagram page. It seems like the way to go.
View attachment 473812View attachment 473813

Yep, that's the one. Thanks!

 

[Cmd5235]

I resorted to snap traps (a type that has a semi cover in then to prevent birds from getting in). I’ve killed 29 mice, 2 voles, and 1 rat this year. That stopped the tree killing

 

[davetree]

I use a product called MoleMax - it’s a repellant for all rodents made from castor oil. I had issues before but not since I started using it. I’ve used it for about 5-6 years now.

 

[Cajunrider]

Man, I am sorry.

 

[mattspinniken]

So sorry, I remember losing around half my trees years ago.

Building these wire cages took time and they are annoying to store but I don’t want to stress about my trees in the winter. Since building them I have not had one spot of vole damage. I add some landscape fabric at the bottom for added wind protection.

 

[RJG2]

So sorry, I remember losing around half my trees years ago.

Building these wire cages took time and they are annoying to store but I don’t want to stress about my trees in the winter. Since building them I have not had one spot of vole damage. I add some landscape fabric at the bottom for added wind protection.

Thanks Matt. I'm thinking I may want to try building mine as panels so I can disassemble them, but obviously that would be more of a pain in the ass. (only have .4 acres here, and no great area to leave them permanently).

Did you use 1/4" hardware cloth, out go smaller with 1/8"?

 

[mattspinniken]

Thanks Matt. I'm thinking I may want to try building mine as panels so I can disassemble them, but obviously that would be more of a pain in the ass. (only have .4 acres here, and no great area to leave them permanently).

Did you use 1/4" hardware cloth, out go smaller with 1/8"?

I like the idea of making them in panels, just make sure there are no gaps at all in the wood. Mine are doubled up 1/4'' in most places but single is adequate if you have everything covered. The last few I built I used 1'' x 4'''s which are strong enough and lighter than the overkill wood I was using at first.