Restoration plantings often have tree tubes or cages around young saplings to prevent damage from white-tailed deer, groundhogs, and rabbits as much as possible to give young plants a good start without being pruned by wildlife. These young trees need to be checked on several times per year. This opportunity is great for earning service hours; completing with a team, club or family; and it's flexile to work at your own pace on your own schedule.
- Check if the sapling in still alive
- Check if the tube or cage is still standing and sturdy
- Hammer in or replace wobbly or rotten stakes
- Replace tubes with cages when saplings are ready for more space
- Remove cages when trunks are thick enough to survive wildlife damage
- cut vines off of the cage, tube, or sapling
- Pull out weeds growing inside the tube or cage with the sapling to reduce competition
Training and orientation will be provided for new volunteers.
