The science and innovation your trees need to thrive with the sun!
There is a new generation of tree tube that is getting amazing results in tree growth and protection. The old tubes sometimes called ‘death tubes’ lack ventilation, and flexible stakes that support a strong trunk. Plus they are usually too short and offer up your lush tree growth as a salad at the perfect height for deer!
To keep deer and other critters from damaging your young trees we use and recommend the SunFlex™ Greenhouse™ Grow Tube System that not only promotes rapid, healthy growth but also shields your seedlings from wildlife, allowing them to grow freely and securely.
While protecting your trees from animals is essential, the real advantage of the SunFlex System lies in its advanced greenhouse grow tube microclimate and trunk-support design. These features work together to encourage fast, healthy development from the roots up.
When you’re planting in “deer country” SunFlex may be the only hope a young seedling has. White-tailed deer, with an average height of 36-40 inches at the shoulder plus its neck and head length, can easily browse most any unprotected tree below a height of about 4½ ft tall.
Trying to grow unprotected hardwood seedlings in deer country is usually futile. Don’t let this be you!
Unprotected seedlings stand no chance against hungry mouths – the image above shows the all-too-familiar fate of an unprotected seedling repeatedly browsed and unable to grow-up to escape deer and other critters.
Using shorter tube shelters at 4½ ft tall is also of little use as these tube heights expose the emerging tree right at, or close to the feeding level for most North American deer species. Once deer munch the top of the emerging tree it’s natural form is irreparably harmed. The tree usually responds by robbing its root system to replace lost growth in multiple stems in an often futile effort to grow past the deer. The solution needed here is a real grow tube that’s up to the challenge of protecting and growing your trees safely above the browse line. And remember deer stand on their back legs for extended reach!
We recommend the Plantra 71″ SunFlex Grow Tubes.
*Remember to leave tubes on beyond the buck rubbing stage which can be 5+ years or swap for Plantras Screen Mesh Tree Guard.
Posted In: Edible and Ecological Landscape Design