Young trees and seedlings are particularly vulnerable to damage from livestock as well as native and exotic wildlife. In Texas, common threats include cattle browsing and trampling, deer browsing and antler rubbing, rabbit and rodent girdling, and disturbance by armadillos, porcupines, insects, and feral hogs.
This is a comprehensive overview of effective temporary protection strategies to ensure long-term success of reforestation and habitat improvement projects.
Common threats to young trees
Young trees and seedlings face a range of threats in Texas woodlands and forests, especially when left unprotected.
Cattle, while essential to many landowners’ operations, can cause extensive damage by grazing on tender shoots and leaves, trampling root systems, and rubbing against young trunks, which can strip bark and break limbs.
Deer frequently browse on foliage and stems, which can stunt growth or kill young plants entirely. Buck antler rubbing during the fall rut can girdle the tree, damage the vascular tissue, and often result in mortality.
Rabbits, voles, and other small mammals target the bark near the base of the trunk, leading to girdling that disrupts nutrient flow. These animals may also chew on emerging roots, reducing establishment success.
Feral hogs pose a particularly destructive threat due to their rooting behavior, which can uproot seedlings, compact soil, and destroy protective infrastructure.
Understanding these threats is crucial for selecting appropriate tree protection strategies.
Label and map trees to make monitoring easier. Use a combination of protection types for best results. Bulk purchasing materials significantly reduces perunit costs. Reassess protection needs as trees mature or site conditions change.
Protection options
Grow tubes (tree shelters)
Purpose
Protects seedlings from browsing, rodents, and wind while encouraging vertical growth.
Materials
Tree tubes, stakes, zip ties, mulch (optional)
Steps
- Drive a stake into the ground two to three inches from the seedling.
- Slide the tree tube over the seedling.
- Secure the tree tube to the stake using zip ties.
- Add mulch around the base of the seedling. Avoid placing mulch against the stem of the seedling, as this may encourage root girdling and create an environment suitable for pests and disease.
Maintenance
Inspect the seedlings monthly for leaning and constriction. Remove the tree tubes when the trees outgrow the tubes to prevent girdling
Welded-wire tree cages
Purpose
Prevents cattle and deer from physically accessing the seedling or sapling.
Materials
Welded cage wire, T-posts, zip ties or wire
Steps
- Cut the cage wire to length (enough to create a two to three foot diameter circle around the tree).
- Form a cylinder with the cage wire and place over the seedling.
- Secure the cage with two to three T-posts.
Maintenance
Inspect the cages seasonally for stability and tree clearance.
Dear-rubbing protection
Purpose
Protects saplings from antler rubbing which can girdle and kill trees. Similar to welded-wire tree cages, but at a taller scale.
Materials
Welded cage wire at least 48 inches tall, T-posts, zip ties or wire
Steps
- See steps for welded-wire tree cages. The cage should be at least 12 inches in diameter when wrapped around the sapling.
- (Optional) Combine with trunk wraps for added bark protection.
Maintenance
Inspect the cages seasonally for stability and tree clearance.
Electric fencing (area protection)
Purpose
Excludes large animals like cattle, deer, and feral hogs from planting zones.
Materials
Electric netting or polywire kit, posts, energizer, ground rod
Steps
- Clear the fence line of structures and tall vegetation. Install the posts around the planting zone, spaced out every 10 feet (or adjusted based on plot features).
- Wrap the fencing around the posts and install the energizer.
- Test the fence to ensure the energizer is functioning properly. 3,000-6,000 volts is recommended for area protection.
Maintenance
Check weekly for faults. Remove vegetation that comes in contact with the fence.
Trunk guards: spiral and mesh
Purpose
Prevents girdling and chewing by rodents and rabbits.
Materials
Choice of wrap products; one unit per tree
Steps
- Wrap a spiral or mesh guard loosely around the trunk.
- Bury the guard base one to two inches below the soil level to secure it.
Maintenance
Adjust the guard as needed as the sapling grows. Remove the guard once the trunk exceeds four inches in diameter.
Animal repellents
Purpose
Provides temporary protection from deer, rabbits, and other herbivores by deterring browsing through scent and taste. Use repellents as as supplemental measure. They are most effective when combined with physical barriers.
Materials
Choice of repellent product. Recommendations:
- Plantskydd (blood-based, long-lasting)
- Liquid Fence (ready-to-use spray)
Steps
- Follow the directions on the product packaging. Repellents may need to be thoroughly shaken to mix before use. Apply the repellent directly to foliage and stems, or as otherwise directed on the packaging.
- Apply the repellent during dry conditions, ideally in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid scorching the tree leaves and stems.
- Reapply every two to four weeks (or as otherwise stated on the product directions), or after rain events.