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THE EARLY YEARS
The first two to five years after a tree is planted are the riskiest and most difficult. Newly planted trees
are vulnerable to whatever unfavorable condition Nature (and man, too, unwittingly) dishes out. Most deer damage (foraging,
deer rub) takes place during this time. It therefore makes good sense to understand how and where newly planted
trees are vulnerable and what to do to help them.
VERTICAL GROWTH
Research shows that in the first two years tree protectors and shelters can increase tree height up to 600 percent over
trees grown without the benefit of protectors.
This accelerated growth is due to several factors.
PHOTOTROPISM
First, all plants tend to grow toward the light (a phenomenon called phototropism). Although some light is transmitted
through the protector wall, there is more light higher up, especially light directly entering the opening
at the top of the shelter. Plants will try to reach that light.
Unfortunately, tree protectors that do not transmit enough light cause the tree to divert its energy to vertical
growth at the expense of diameter and root growth. This makes the tree top-heavy and vulnerable to breaking in high wind.
It is also a major cause of dieback and increased tree mortality.
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| Back-lighted DoubleWide shows correct amount of translucence |
Tree Pro protectors transmit exactly the right amount of light to stimulate proper growth without absorbing an excessive
amount of heat.
For more see Myths & Facts.
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| Two-year old Green Ash |
VENTED VS. UNVENTED
The micro-environment inside tree protectors (the so-called mini-greenhouse) slows the dormancy process, leaving the
tree vulnerable to an early frost or freeze. Tree shelters also sometimes heat up enough during late winter and early
spring to stimulate the sap to rise and the buds to appear. When the temperature drops, the trees can be damaged and
sometimes even killed.
That's one reason we now offer vented tree protectors and shelters. Holes are drilled in the top half of the shelter
wall to allow the circulation of air from the outside.
Tree Pro protectors are designed so that they can easily be opened during in the fall to allow the trees to go dormant,
although vented Tree Pros practically eliminate the need to do so.
Another benefit of vented shelters is the dissipation of excess heat that often occurs in the South and Southwest.
The University of Pennsylvania found that temperatures inside Tubex shelters were consistently 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit
hotter than ambient temperatures. On a sunny summer day, this means the trees can be exposed to tempertures well above 100
degrees for up to six hours.
A final benefit of venting is that it allows the dissipation of excessive moisture in hot, humid climates.
For more see Protectors vs. Shelters
FERTILIZING
Broadcasting fertilizer can be a big job with much of the fertilizer going to waste. That's why we recommend dropping
a packet of time-release fertilizer into the hole at the time of planting. Doing so takes very little time and significantly
increases survivability of the tree and a properly formulated fertilizer mix can boost growth substantially.
It's analagous to taking a vitamin tablet. If we always ate a perfectly balanced diet, we wouldn't
need to augment it with vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, few people eat a proper diet day in and day out.
With trees the situation is even more difficult. Fertilizer that is spread on the ground doesn't always reach the trees'
roots. Our fertilizer packets are placed in the hole next to the tree. The roots grow all around the packet, feeding continuously.
For more see Nutri Pak Time-Release Fertilizer
WEED CONTROL
Porous weed mats do not preserve moisture as well as non-porous weed mats. That's because the sun beats down on
the mat, causing it to heat up. Moisture in the soil then evaporates through the pores, resulting in the exact opposite
of what's intended.
For more see Weed Pro Weed Mats
MYCORRHIZAE
Mycorrhizae is a type of fungus that forms a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) association with trees. By colonizing the
trees' roots and absorbing greater amounts of water and nutrients, the mycorrhizae stimulate the roots to grow much faster
than trees without mycorrhizae.
Mycorrhizae occurs naturally in forests. If that's where you're planting you may not need to add mycorrhizae. However,
since the cost per tree is just a few pennies and there are other benefits, it makes sense to make it a part of the tree planting
process.
For more see Mycorrhizal Root Dip & Root Reviver
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