lp: I will still use the wire cages, especially when I can move one from a tree that has grown large enough to a new tree. And I did buy one more roll of cattle fencing this spring--good for about 31 cages. Yes, the lighter wire is not very good. I use the 10/12.5 gauge (the 10 gauge is for the top and bottom wires). And I don't use the high tensile, which is much more expensive and harder to make cages with. Heavier gauge wires are just overkill. I get a brand at Southern States that is from Mexico. But last summer I paid $115, and now they insisted that it went up to $175, even on sale--whew!! Maybe last summer they made a mistake or something. Anyway, I just went ahead and bought one roll--I really need two, hence my trying to think of other things. I usually anchor my cages with heavy rocks over the bottom wire, and I have the narrower openings at the top, where it is more difficult for deer to poke their heads through. If I have them near the road, I use one heavy grade steel post to anchor them and then one heavy rock. Deer can occasionally dislodge one and I don't want something like that rolling onto the road if that should happen. As for the rope--I will be going shopping today to see what I can find. I first thought of the cotton because I thought it would hold the repellent well. If I can't find that I may try hemp, or maybe some wool yarn, or something. I don't really know much about all the various synthetics, but I suspect nylon would be one of the least absorptive/effective. --Spruce

I have had many Alberta Spruces both on the west and north sides of our home, in large cement pots with good drainage. None of them have ever made it past 1-2 winters here. But we have since replaced the spruces with 'Hicksii' Yews and they have done wonderfully! They grow upright and stay narrower than the more common yews, but do require some pruning/shearing occasionally to keep their nice shape (and they love it). So you might want to check your local nurseries and give those a try. Hope this helps...

Whenever I see damage like this, I am reminded how lucky I am that the deer around here don't seem to know hostas are edible. They walk right by my hostas all the time, but it's frustrating how much they like any kind of flower buds. They regularly like to deadhead the flowers before they've opened. They also like the birdfeeders for the seed. It helps that we still have a lot of natural food for them. Even though I'm in a neighborhood it's hills and mountain sides so there's lots of wild growing weeds and trees they like to eat first. I think my flower buds are for dessert.

Well shoot, I'm getting mixed information on the Monpin :-O I saw several sites stating that they're deer resistant, although subject to deer rubbing their antlers on them: https://www.greenhousemag.com/product/ember-waves-western-arborvitae-monrovia/ https://dawesarb.arboretumexplorer.org/taxon-32411.aspx I'm starting to run out of time for this planting season, so I have to make a decision... I was leaning towards planting Thuja Green Giants along my property line to create a hedge, they're a LOT cheaper than the Southern Magnolias at $10 /each for 2-3' trees locally! I have a Little Gem Southern Magnolia that I planned to plant a little in front of that, then I was going to layer the Monpin and Tasman Ruffles. That would be $300 total, and they're all supposed to be deer resistant. I have fringe flower bushes that I was going to prune this year, so I could plant cuttings in this new area, too. And then I would still have plenty of room to add flowering trees and shrubs next year. But if the Monpin really isn't as deer resistant as the sites are saying, then that kinda squashes all of that plan. Except maybe for the Green Giants, I think they're close to indestructible.