Rabbit Protective Tubes

25 rigid tubes

Rabbit Protective Tubes are an economical, effective method for protecting young seedlings from rabbit damage for up to three years. Constructed of a tough but flexible combination of polyethylene and polypropylene, the tube is extruded in a diamond mesh pattern that, when placed over the seedling, will allow for lateral growth. During extrusion, ultraviolet inhibitors are added that enable the tube to remain on the seedling as long as necessary, and then photo degrade (break down) when the seedling has grown to a point of establishment where minor browsing will have much less effect on seedling survival.

The Kansas Conservation Tree Planting Program offers the tubes in units of 25. The tubes are 3.25 × 18 inches. They are sufficiently rigid to stand upright when supported by a 24-inch bamboo stake (25 stakes are included in each unit). To maximize shipping and storage efficiency, the tubes are shipped nested (one inside of another). This nesting procedure results in a plus or minus 1/2 inch variance of outside and inside tube diameter measurements. If upon arrival, your tubes appear to be flat, simply place the tubes in warm water and within minutes they will flex back to their original shape.

The bamboo stakes are strong, thick-walled, rot-resistant and will last as long as the tubes. Weave a stake through the diamond mesh openings of the rabbit protective tube. The stake should begin on the outside of the tube and finish with the stake on the inside. Animals have been known to destroy newly planted seedlings the first night after they were planted. Although tubes can be placed over the seedlings later, tubes should be installed the same day the seedlings are planted.

Although they have been used successfully on many plantings, occasionally wildlife have pulled out the stakes or chewed on the tubes or stakes.