09. STOCK PROOF TREE GUARDS
Stock Proof Tree Guards (we don’t sell, you make)
or (see low cost corflute tree guards last photo on this page not suitable with sheep or cattle – search coflute tree guards on google for similar )
Our Durable Long Life Stock Proof Tree Guard is made from sheep yard mesh. If you have only rabbits and wallabies to contend with a similar version may be made from hinge-joint or lighter mesh. We also have a stock of Plant Pink Corflute Tree Guards that are only suitable for seedlings where grazing animals have no access. (available only pick up Jimbour Nursery)
All of the trees we sell benefit from tree guards during their first 12 to 48 months in the ground. Some more so than others. Bunya, Hoop, and Silky Oak may struggle without, however, if extra water is applied to compensate they will establish and prosper without tree guards. White Cedar is our fastest growing tree in our range for sale and it certainly could be established without tree guards provided ideal conditions are maintained during its first 3 to 6 months. Our tree guards have evolved by necessity, and we use a range of sizes, often swapping as trees mature, until they are permanently removed.
When integrating grazing animals with new plantings, you save time, energy and money with a proven plan.
The type of tree in every paddock is determined by which animals will have access and when access will commence.
Take White Cedar for instance. Planted on a 10 metre grid as part of a Shaded Forest Grazing Paddock, say 90 trees per hectare with tree guards. Sheep can graze between the trees and keep the riplines clean of grasses. White Cedar that was planted April 2017 was tall and strong enough by March 2018 to remove tree guards. Small lambs can graze the White Cedar paddock without guards from Winter 2018 onwards, because the trees have lost their foliage after the first frost, and some are well above grazing height. Then from Spring 2018 onwards we wait until all trees are well above grazing for sheep, and then at some point calves will be introduced, followed by full size small meaty milkers, maybe by year 4. .
Long Term Investment. Make 100 guards and plant 100 trees every two years with the same tree guards. Sheep Yard Mesh is good for 60 to 90 years. You can make small square guards configured from 9 rectangle sections (you loose one in the cutting, 2 per side x 4 = 8 sections) that are good for encouraging straight early growth of seedlings. GOOD EXAMPLE of a small square guard is to be seen on the TREES Page at the bottom of page: it is a Pear Seedling planted on edge of the Islandbong. Shade cloth from a roll 1.8 metres wide is cut back to 900mm.
NEW VIDEO “Munchers Shredders and Grinders” is currently available on Home Page or Search YouTube for Same Title. See how Sheep – Cattle – Chickens move through and from Long Yard Garden
PHOTO 1: Objective is to get the tree above grazing height. CIRCA 2012
PHOTO 2: Seedlings planted on a 10 metre grid as part of our new Shaded Forest Grazing Paddock. DATE of PHOTO: June 2106.
PHOTO 3: Larger scale projects will benefit from riplines. Riplines absorb runoff rainfall and are easy to dig. Riplines require several workings with a single tyne ripper to get to this stage. With a single tyne ripper rain is required to moisten the initial rip so then when you come back you can dig to a depth of at least 400mm. We then dig a tree hole with a shovel to 600mm and backfill hole with nitrochar blended with soil. An advantage from riplines is reduced grass competition. Our “Roundup Sheep” are then used to keep riplines clean of grasses as trees establish. DATE of PHOTO JUNE 2016.
PHOTO 4: Silky Oak 18 months old, 1.4 metres tall pruned to ultimately be above grazing height of sheep and cattle. Guards on left contain Bunya Pine. When guards are removed at year 2-3, they will be stock safe as cattle and sheep will only nibble Bunya and Hoop if they are starving. In this guild the trees on the right include White Cedar, Bottletrees and Kurrajong. With this line of trees, that were planted close to a fence line, we will run a hotwire when cattle come in to keep away from the narrow tree strip. By year 3 all guards will be removed and all trees will mostly be stock safe with sheep at first, and then cattle latter on. DATE of PHOTO Jan 2018.
PHOTO 5: Lambs at work amongst a fruit tree guild. CIRCA 2013.
PHOTO 6: White Cedar benefits from biochar tree plugs and a guard, ideally to get above grazing sheep within two growing seasons. To make circular guards you should buy mesh in 30 metre rolls, 1.1 or 0.9 metre in height. With Bunya and Hoop 900mm mesh is adequate as cattle or sheep usually avoid these Pines. Mesh is also available in 6m lenghts, which is better for square guards. DATE of PHOTO March 2018.
PHOTO 6a: Broad Leaf Bottle Tree in Dalby Qld. Trunk is about 600 mm wide – tree is 8 metres tall. One of the fastest growing brachychitons up to 3 metres within 7 years under ideal conditions. Livestock have never been observed eating bark of this tree. Susceptible to all livestock and marsupials when small. Palatable leaves. SEE MORE in our TREES Section.
PHOTO 2: Seedlings planted on a 10 metre grid as part of our new Shaded Forest Grazing Paddock. DATE of PHOTO: June 2106.
PHOTO 7: White Cedar planted one week after Cyclone Debbie in April 2017, now average 1.7 metres 11 months after planting into biochar plugs (as of 01/03/18). UPDATE: Massive hail storm Oct ’18 removed all leaves and shredded soft bark at top of tree. All have fully recovered. Some were pruned back and are now vigorously growing new branches. Weaner lambs were introduced 1/11/18. After 3 weeks of lush green grass, some have started to eat the bark at base of White Cedar. Time to move lambs or replace tree guards. Trees will recover. DATE of PHOTO March 2018.
PHOTO 8: Bunya Pine and Belah now 16 months old in heavy clay. Bunya is almost 1m tall and is displaying lush new growth, (planted into a biochar plug). DATE of PHOTO APRIL ’18.
PHOTO 9: Bunya and Gumbi Gumbi planted together on lighter soil. More info on Gumbi in our TREES for Sale Section. The Gumbi is a very fast hardy tree that may be allowed to grow or it may be cut back at some time. It is developing root access for the Bunya. Livestock avoid mature Gumbi, so once Bunya is ready to remove its tree guard, both trees will be compatible for integrated grazing. Sheep will defoliate small Gumbi Trees. If only eaten once and then protected, they will recover rapidly if moisture is available. THE REASON why we plant certain trees close together is explained in STORY Number 3 Drought Buster Trees and Fungus.
PHOTO 10: Typical tree hole dug or initially ripped to 600mm minimum. No hard or fast rules. You want the correct balance of carbon to nitrogen. One method is biochar with liquid offal applied as the hole is backfilled with a layered blend of biochar and soil. You could use leaves and twigs, or sawdust and blood and bone. At 600mm new roots can access subsoil moisture rapidly. Consider this as a soft biochar crystal plug that allows for rapid, penetrating root development. What you have added is ultimately slow release plant food. Carbon binds with nitrogen to form humus, which is soluble plant food. Ripping allows for easy digging. Bobcat with auger is a fast single hole method, or dig by hand. A good mix of carbon rich matter around the base of the seedling will condition topsoil to allow for more rainfall penetration. CAUTION – Excess Nitrates Kill Trees Especially during Frost and Dry.
PHOTO 11a: Here we have planted a cluster of Hugh Desmanthus within a tree guard. Hugh will persist for many years until you are ready to plant a tree in this hole that is being conditioned by the desmanthus. For SEED Go To Living Fallows Section in Above Menu
PHOTO 11b: Same strategy as in Photo 11a this time with Butterfly Pea – capable of developing a 1.5 metre tap root within first growing season. Plant will persist for many years until you are ready to remove it or let it keep growing. SEED for Sale in Living Fallows Section in Above Menu.
PHOTO 12a: 18 month old Hoop Pine Seedling. One of seventy mixed tree species, planted into biochar plugs, as part of a Shaded Forest Grazing Paddock. Tree hole was dug into a well prepared ripline. Backfilled with biochar and liquid offal. You may add extra nitrogen to base of hole that will be accessed over time. Also, this nutrient is an earthworm attractant. Earthworms start working the plug, making additional conduits for new roots to access. Last big rain was February 2018 – 170 mm, with only 65 mm fallen since 01/03/18 to 01/09/18. Since that rain event of Feb 18, the Hoop Pines (and Bunyas as well) have been watered 3 times with a total of 45 litres of water by hand, viz: 15 litres from a 20 litre bucket on 3 occasions. DATE of PHOTO July 2018.
PHOTO 12b: Fig planted into a Biochar Burrow grew to 1.5 metres within 5 months. DATE of PHOTO: March 2019.
PHOTO 12c: These Corflute Tree Guards will persist in field conditions for up to 5 years provided you maintain them.