Hi oldryder- I use my hardware cloth tree guards to protect against rodent and mower damage. #3 The white plastic guards were discussed in the link below. That might answer some of your questions about them. #4 For me, the guards should be tall enough that the animals can't get to the tree, even when it snows. #5 I think I may always keep the guards on, just to prevent mower damage. #6, Yeah, that's about all I ever do... just press the hardware cloth down in to the dirt a bit, and then backfill with mulch... Mostly so they don't move around in the weather, and so animals would have to dig a bit to get under them. I'm sure others will be able to give you better answers than I have! -Glenn Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fruit/msg0109531620564.html

Unless you use a frame to support the netting, the netting will damage and distort the tree more than the cicadas. This includes the light weight frost blanket. A tree can't grow properly when restricted like that. A good covering over a frame is the black woven 30% polypropylene shade fabric. It doesn't snag on trees but needs support above the tree like anything else.

tasymo, my apologies i haven't responded a bit sooner. it's summer and am busy along with a 3 day rodeo this weekend. (big doin's in a small town !) i hated like the dickens to start this thread without pics but thought maybe it will give other orchardists'/gardeners'maybe an idea to run away with. my top of the line 1200 dollar digital cam i bought about 6 or 7 years ago only works when it wants to. as such i been using that venerable 35 mil that keeps on ticking for the past 25 years. will keep fooling with the digital to hopefully get some pics. my fences are around individual trees and are square in design. i've used logs and limbs from 6 to 10 feet in length from primarily dead and down quaker aspens. i've erected maybe 20 so far and am still learning. size and design could be to suit your personal whims. i'm opting for the larger squares as i can maybe do a bit of gardening inside with my trees. i think as far as fence height goes 4 feet will be what i shall shoot for give or take. some of my fences are as low as 2 feet but the smaller ungulates just do not leap inside( i believe at their eye level it appears as leaping into a trap !). at this point i have made them quite sturdy just by interlocking limbs and shoring up with propped logs. one could also use rope or wire to secure corners or just notch the logs for stability. i'm more into functionality , but i'm sure these structures could be made to really look nice in a farm or rustic setting. i bet using freshly cut white birch would make beautiful fences in an more urban setting(maybe notched or secured with rope). as a further benefit i'm strpping off the quakers bark and am adding it to my mulch. am trying some pepper plants and vine plants inside but the crummy weather here has set my veggies back so from a practical gardening aspect i don't know whether i will have anything to report back on later. i imagine a climbing bean,pea or whatever could also be utilized. a bean plant (nitrogen fixer)could be cut off at ground level after harvest and the dying roots could release nitrogen for the fruit trees benefit. will keep tryin for some pics ! nick, im workin' on some squash - fingers crossed. wildlifeman

Use white interior latex paint. The tree bark needs to remain porous. I would not use primer or enamel.