Tree Tubes on Pine & Spruce Seedlings????

[deep woods goat hunter]

I have plantede about 30 pitch loblolli, white pine and norway spruce around the yard. They are anywhere from 10-18" tall.

Ive weed barrier-ed and mulched them, should I go ahead and tube them like I would an oak or chestnut seedling? or go ahead and put small cages on the dang things????

Im using Miracle Tubes.

Thanks

 

[kelcher]

I had to fence off my white pines when they were small or the deer would just chew them right off. They didn't seem to bother the spruce as much.

 

[JNRBRONC]

Didn't think I needed to cage the pines and spruce in the farmyard, but an aggressive little buck decided they would be good rub material.

 

[Hardwood11]

I have to cage every pine I plant ! Spruce in most cases… . I left one 18 inch pine without a cage in Iowa and it was about 3/4 inch high by spring !

 

[sep0667]

Small white pine definitely will need protected. They love to eat the needles in the winter and rub them. Once they get pretty good sized they don't seem to care to eat the needles as much

 

[theDoorman]

I don't think you want to tube conifers. I read that somewhere, not from first hand experience.

 

[bwhnter4life]

Tomato cages work best for young pine I have found. But they will go through those too I found out this year if they really want a rub'n tree. HaHa

 

[Snail3496]

Don't tube conifers. They'll live for a few years but won't work long term. Cage conifers

 

[deep woods goat hunter]

Don't tube conifers. They'll live for a few years but won't work long term. Cage conifers

I was just thinking of tubing them for a season or two just because the tubes were easier until they got going. Tell me if I'm being lazy and just need to cage the little devils.

 

[kelcher]

Cage them.

 

[bwhnter4life]

Quick research..says tubing can be done but remove in spring, don't leave on. Excessive extra labor and cost at that point