Two different scientific studies, both conducted at Auburn University in Alabama, found significantly increased survival (nearly double in most cases) and vertical growth (double and sometimes triple the growth rate) in seedlings protected with tubes compared to non-protected seedlings.įor details, read one of the studies about tree shelters, and another that combined tree shelters and weed control efforts.
They also protect seedlings and saplings from being rubbed by bucks, and they afford some protection from harsh weather conditions while also conserving moisture around the seedlings.
TUBEEX OR BLUEX TREE TUBES FULL
Once the seedling emerges at the top of the tube into full sun, it then branches out and begins to form a full crown. I took the photo above through an actual tree tube to illustrate a seedling’s “view” from inside in these conditions, the seedling will naturally “go toward the light.” Thus, the tube forces the tree to grow above the reach of browsing deer while also leaving behind ground-level shrubs, forbs and grasses that compete for light. The main function and advantage of these translucent plastic tubes is to dim available sunlight except at the top, which encourages the tree seedling to put energy into vertical growth to reach the open light at the top, just as a seedling would that is struggling to compete in the understory of a mature forest. I highly recommend you use a shelter on every tree seedling you plant this winter, and here’s why. I’ve planted a lot of tree seedlings over the last 25 years, and almost all of them were protected by plastic “tree tubes” or shelters in the seedling stage.
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