Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
:

OT: Winter rodent tree damage

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
5NSlezWI

03-26-2007 07:23:38




Report to Moderator

The melted snow revealed that some of our young apple trees have the bark chewed off the bottom 10-12" of the trunk. It"s deep too...about 1/8" into the wood. Evidence points to mice or moles. I have no doubt the trees will suffer and maybe not even survive, but I had heard of some sort of paint or tar that you can apply and then wrap the trunk. Has anyone heard of this or any other technique? If so, what would this "tar" be called?

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
gahorN

03-27-2007 03:41:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
It USED to be the thing...to paint tar on tree injuries.. Not anymore. Ask any tree service/county extension agent. Nowdays they say that practice actually prevents a tree from repairing itself in that area. (And that makes sense to me... the tree may grow around it in order to isolate the tar...but if so, it's because the tree considered it an invader and that's why it isolated it. Tar was intended to protect the wound from the entrance of beetles, etc., is why it was once a popular treatment. No longer tho'. There are better products.
Sounds like you might have nutria? They'll gnaw on trees like a beaver.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
gwstang

03-26-2007 17:07:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
Just wondering if this is the work of porcupines? I have never seen one way down here in the deep-deep south...just curious...and probably been watching way too many nature programs for my own good...lol.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Don in Calif

03-26-2007 11:50:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
I've successfully use a product called "tanglefoot" it's suppose to keep "ants" from climbing trees and eating the leaves/fruit. Used it many times to protect the area on trees where my 2 pet goats have stripped off tree bark...works great, seals the raw tree wound and discourages them from going after the bark in that same area...can be found at Orchard Supply Hardware for sure, I think about $8-9 for a cottage cheese size container.. some sort of very sticky pine/tar, like thick honey.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Indiana Jones

03-26-2007 10:31:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
As benny2 said, if the entire circumference of the trees are girdled, you may lose them. I've brought damaged trees back by giving them mougettes, which are small caps containing nutrients, iron, etc. that are fed to the tree near the base by a small hole drilled in just deep enough to allow the cap stem to access the tree's vascular system. The other posts describle the wrapping, which is important as well. I'd actually need to see the damage to provide any definitive prognosis.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
benny2

03-26-2007 09:50:18




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
You can use pine tar get this where they sell horse stuff, comes in QTS for around $5. Put this on wound put cotton cloth over then paint again. Paint ring of it around tree this will repel rodents from eating bark. Your tree will live if it didn't go all around tree if it went all around tree don't waste any time with it. That will kill them. You can also make tree guards with a piece of PVC thin wall by splitting pipe with saw then put around tree with a little dirt at the bottom tie it together over lapping the edge bring it snug aginst tree then tie with nylon wire slip lock tie.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
D masury

03-26-2007 09:01:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
If it mice and moles you may also have root damage as they like to start on the tender hair roots, over time the tree will just fall over...be careful of any poison..I know an orchard that ended up paying a lot of vet bills for sick dogs that ran through the orchard eating up the poison intended for the mice and moles.

Check with other orchards and the county extension service about what they are using and what is legal to use.

One of the best thing to do is keep under the trees mown close... use an offset swinging bush hog.... pulled behind your tractor...

Best of luck,

DHM

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
souNdguy

03-26-2007 10:59:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to D masury, 03-26-2007 09:01:24  
Don't be so squeamish about poisons.

it's real easy to make a box to contain the poison that is large enough to keep cat/dog/raccoon/foxes out of.

Besides.. if he has animals tresspassing on his property.. he may have legal recourse against the owners.. Most counties I know have a leash law. Just got to find out if he has a 'must fence' law where he is in order to keep animals out..

Soundguy

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Colin King

03-26-2007 08:09:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
There are a couple of products that can be used to protect from animal damage as well as winter frost burn and sun scald.

A flexible plastic tube-like wrap is used for the lower trunk. Dig it down below ground level an inch or so. This keeps rodents away from the root base. Remove the plastic tubing every spring to encourage healthy bark development and to keep good air circulation around trunk.

A tar-paper wrap is used for more delicate growth areas and protects against deer and harsh conditions (important for fruit trees in Minnesota). The paper is unwrapped and stored for the next year.

Both can wraps be found at any garden supply or nursery.

HTH

Colin, Minn

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
souNdguy

03-26-2007 07:50:41




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 07:23:38  
Pruning sealer paint.

Plus put some rat blocks out.

Soundguy



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
5NSlezWI

03-26-2007 12:44:02




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to souNdguy, 03-26-2007 07:50:41  
Thank you all for your suggestions! I'll give the sealer a try.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dan hill

03-27-2007 01:55:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Winter rodent tree damage in reply to 5NSlezWI, 03-26-2007 12:44:02  
Make some guards with hardware cloth.Make them big enough for growth of the tree. Plastic guards are easy but you will still get damage.Dont leave plastic on in the summer as you will give borers as place to work undetected.If the tree is girdled its gone.Sound like you have porcupines.You can find them high in trees after the leaves fall.Shot gun is best medicine.Dont set out trees without guards.Its a waste of time and money.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy