Installing a Tree Pro Protector
The 60 inch tall Tree Protector will provide a healthy growing environment for your seedlings. The more site preparation, mowing, mulching, and weed management you do, the greater your planting success will be. A fast growing tree, is a healthy tree.
Place your stake 2.5 inches from your seedling. The key is to have the seedling centered in the tube. Place the stake on the side with the strongest prevailing winds. Tighten the zip ties once the stake has been secured into the ground.
Remember that the vent holes go up and that the solid half of the protector goes towards the ground.
Reform the flat and open protector in to a cylinder using zip ties that are provided. With the holes of the Tree Protector lined up, slide the zip ties through both holes in each side wall and lock the tie with two or three clicks to keep it in place.
Carefully slide the protector down over the top of the tree and the zip ties over the stake. The stake does not have to be attached to the top zip tie on a Tree Protector. The top zip tie simply holds the tube together. The stake must be 2 or 3 inches above the second zip tie down from the top.
Push the bottom of the protector loosely into the ground.
Tighten the 4 zip ties to secure the tube in place.
A bird can mistake the opening of the tube as a potential nesting site. We provide a bird net for all tubes and tree protectors that are 4, 5, and 6 feet tall. Once the tube is installed take the time to place a bird net over the top of the tube.to keep birds from falling into the tube install the bird net over the top of the tube. The goal is to protect Bluebirds and other song birds from getting trapped inside the tree protector. The bird net must be removed before the terminal bud touches the net. Trees can grow fast, so once the terminal bud is within 12 to 18 inches inches of the top, you should slide the bird net down along the side of the tree protector. Once the terminal bud has grown safely out of the top of the tube you can slide the bird net up above the tube where it will rest against the trunk of the seedling. This will continue to help save a birds life
Fold back the tabs on the top of the tube to remove sharp edges away from the tender bark of the tree.
When placing the tube over the seedling be sure to carefully gather the branches together so that all the branches are pointed upwards.