Yesterday, I finished moving whips into a small nursery area in my
backyard, in preparation of grafting in the spring. As I finished the job
I wondered to myself if I should bother with rodent protection.
I convinced myself that living in a subdivision of houses, with very few
trees, that I didn't have anything to fear from rodents knawing my whips.
To make sure I hand not brought any disease into the nursery, I sprayed
the whips with a combo spray of lime/sulfur and Vlok oil.
Well I might as well sprayed them with salt and pepper, as today all the
trees have some damage, to varying degrees.
The most damaged looks like spots on a dalmation pup (1" long x 1/2"
wide"). None of them are girdled (thank goodness), but what should I do
for the spots of missing bark? Winter is coming. Should I seal them with
grafting wax?
Just want to stress to all the other neophites that rodent protection is a
MUST. Don't be fooled by where you are, the darn vermin are everywhere!
Just bought a bundle of plastic, spiral tree guards, but it is too late.
It only took them 1 night to find and feed on the trees.
Thanks,
Tom
--
Thomas Olenio
Ontario, Hardiness Zone 6a
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