| I used 6' 2x4 welded wire around many of my birch trees. It works well
for as much is covered, however they will reach even higher on some of
the trees, and of course they target the trees without it.
I wrapped it around and hooked the piece that's created when you cut it
into the rectangles. If it takes 3' to go around the tree, I cut a 5'
piece and left it real loose (I didn't attach it to the tree).
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| Wrapping wire around trees is dangerous for you, the tree and horses.
When we moved into our first place here in WA, the paddock had chicken
wire wrapped around the trees. The horses pulled at it and very soon it
was a dangerous mess which I had to remove. I mentioned it to the
previous owner and he nonchalantly said, "Yeah, my horses used to pull
it loose too but I just put it back every time." I asked him if he
hadn't worried about them getting cut on the sharp ends or getting a
foot tangled in the loose wire. He said he'd never though about it!
I the wire does stay in place, the bark grows around it and in time the
wire can become embedded in the wood. I'd hate to be the one who cuts
down that tree when it dies! Even if the chainsaw didn't kickback and
injure/kill me, hitting a bunch of wire can't be good for the saw.
If I were in that situation, I'd build a fence around the tree about
6' out so the horses could reach the trunk.
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| re .3 Interesting and definitely something to think about.
My wire (which is horse fence wire, not chicken wire) will not become
embedded in the tree (or not for at least about 100 years) the way I've
put it up. So far (3 years) they haven't touched it, but now that you
raise the point I can certainly see the possibility,particularly if
they were shod.
It would be all put impossible for me to build a fence around each tree
- there wouldn't be any pasture left for them.
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