Tree shelters help keep constricting support strings off a young tree's trunk.
A tree shelter protects the bark of a young sapling from sun and wind burn. The shelter supports the tree without touching it. Support strings tied to metal, wood or plastic stakes driven into the ground support the shelter until the tree is big enough to stand on its own. Tree shelters also scatter the sunlight so that photosynthesis in the tree leaves increases. A tree shelter provides insulation around the tree to help protect it from a late spring frost. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Put on a pair of gloves.
2. Cut the strings holding the tree shelter to the support stakes with a utility knife.
3. Grip each stake with your hands and pull them up out of the ground. If a stake won't come up easy, stick the blade of a shovel into the soil at the base of the stake and then pry up the stake. Push down on the shovel handle to get its blade to pry the stake upward.
4. Cut down through the tree shelter with the utility knife. Cut a line between the holes where the support strings are tied. Only allow enough blade length to cut the shelter. Too much length and you risk cutting the bark of the tree inside the shelter.
5. Grab the top edges of the shelter and pull them out and away from the tree. You may have to go down along the length of the shelter with your hands to pry it off from around the tree trunk. Keep your fingers in the cut-open seam to complete the removal.
Tags: tree shelter, around tree, length shelter, pull them, shelter with, strings tied, support strings