2019

A New Technique for Protecting Young Trees - Protective Mesh for Treetops

To protect trees from damage caused by the even-toed ungulates living in the forest, JSC "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM) takes a number of measures to protect young forest stands. LVM South Kurzeme Region is testing a new method for the protection of tree shoots - a protective mesh for the tops of small pines.

"The protection of young forest stands against damage caused by the even-toed ungulates is particularly critical in winter, when it is difficult for animals to find feed and the tops and branches of the young conifer trees become a favourite feed. At the end of 2018, we carried out an experiment on a 3-hectare area, putting a protective mesh on the tops of small pines. It should protect the treetops from being bitten off. We will be able to judge the efficiency of this method already in the spring," says Dace Gūtmane, LVM South Kurzeme Region Forest Management Planning Manager.

In 2018, protection of the restored forest areas against forest animal damage was carried out in an area of 14208 ha managed by LVM; in turn, protection of trunks of young forest stands - in an area of almost 2000 ha. Every year, the number of areas that need to be treated against the damage caused by even-toed ungulates increases. This is due to the growing number of animals in certain areas.

Wild deer, elks living in the forest prefer young tree shoots and trunk bark, and it threatens further growth of the buds and the formation of a full-fledged trunk. To prevent this from happening, the treetops and the side branches in the area managed by LVM are treated with plant protection products - repellents that deter animals with odour and unpleasant taste. Alternatively, greasy sheep wool is used to protect young stands, putting it onto the treetops; it can be done in any weather conditions.

In areas where there are many forest animals, this kind of young plant protection is already in place in the first year of planting until the trees reach a height of at least one and a half metres. Later, it is important to protect the trunks of young trees from elk and deer damage. For protection purposes, spiral tree wraps are used, which are wound on a tree trunk without covering the branch part thus blocking access to the trunk bark.