How to Protect Young Trees from the String Trimmer and Lawnmower

Young trees need protection to grow straight and for trunk protection.

Young trees are often killed by string trimmers and lawnmowers beating about the trunk. When the bark and the layer beneath it is broken all the way around, it is called girdling and can kill the tree. To prevent string trimmers from contributing to the untimely death of your tree, make an inexpensive, yet effective tree trunk protector for your freshly planted trees.

Things You'll Need

• 5- or 6-inch diameter plastic pipe drainage pipe
• Tin snips
• Drill with 1/2-inch bit
• Hacksaw

Instructions

1. Cut the plastic pipe into the desirable lengths with a hacksaw. A hacksaw cuts the material easily. The ideal length for tree trunk protection is 6 to 8 inches.

2. Drill random holes all around and up the length of the pipe with a drill. The holes allow in air to keep the trunk from rotting.

3. Cut a slit along the length of the pipe with tin snips. The slit allows you to spread the cylinder open to slip it around the tree.

Tips & Warnings

• Plastic draining pipe comes in many diameters. Select a diameter that fits around the bottom of the trunk of your tree.

• This type of drain piping retains its shape and stands up very well to the string trimmer. From one 12-foot length of plastic pipe, I could cut from 12 to 24 tree trunk protectors, making it far more resilient and inexpensive than buying from a garden supply store.

• Protect your hands with gloves -- the sharp edges of plastic can cut into your skin.

References

• Ohio State University Extension: Controlling Undesirable Trees
• University of Florida Extension: Plastic Drain Pipe as Trunk Protector