Got the shipment of ProTex tree tubes in. They can be purchased here
Forestry Suppliers
I started assembling them this weekend and had a few take aways from the start of the assembly process. I thought I'd share some things I noticed and will be testing out over the next few years.
To begin with. If you order a lot remember these may come in on a semi. :? That makes delivery to certain locations (like apartments) tricky.
2nd - don't plan on assembling them using the tabs that are designed to go together with. Dbltree posted before how animals will easily open the tubes if only using the tabs to hold them together. I'm going to test little zip ties and even household staples on them... we're using wire to hold the tube to the post so those also will be used to hold the tube together. Also you can use the holes already supplied by the tabs to run the zip tie though!
In the end this will also give you a larger tube than if you used the tabs...
3rd - these tubes don't come ventilated, you'll want to drill holes in the tubes for air flow holes to allow the cool air in the tubes in the fall so the trees can properly harden off. Also a good idea to not put holes in the bottom foot or so, that way applying herbicide is a little safer. I made that mistake on the first batch I drilled... going to have to duct tape those holes up.
4th - these tubes aren't super solid, so you'll want a solid stake to hold them in it seems.
5th - assemble shiny side out
6th - when assembling them, the tubes are a bear to curl together because they are kinda deformed. So I used a few rachet straps and curled 20-30 of them up as tight as I could in a 'tube shape' and after 15 minutes they had held that shape pretty well temorarily allowing for MUCH easier assembly.
7th - About the only time I'd see it being smart to use these tubes is if you are doing a large scale planting and wanted a bit of cost savings. They are a bit cheaper than any other tube out there. Make sure to 'request a quote' on the Forestry Suppliers website and they may cut you a nice deal! However, these tubes take a bit of time to assemble. So if you're short on time I'd stear clear of these and as Paul suggested earlier, order from Mike at
Timber Management and Seed He has solid, 5ft tubes, that require no assembly, are already vented, already have zip ties on them, and are $2.50 each.
But we'll post how the ProTex blue tubes work for us. We're happy with them so far and they look like they'll serve their purpose and do it very well!