Today in the orchard
We have finally completed putting on the tree guards. The ones we save for last are the larger trees that require window screening or hardware cloth (aka rat wire) because the spiral tree guards are too small in diameter to expand around the trunks. We wrap the trunk with screening and then tie it tight with baling twine. The perennial million-dollar-question is, “when is a tree large enough to no longer require a tree guard?” When the bark becomes rough and plated, it’s likely tough enough to withstand the attack of the voles. But, “an ounce of prevention…” as they say. We already found one young tree with fresh chewing, and it’s only November. Agrh! It’s also worth noting that the tree guard must be nestled down into the earth at least a little bit. Last year one of the guards did not quite reach the ground and the voles found it. How do they do that?