CA1249722A

CA1249722A - Tree protector

Info

Publication number: CA1249722A
Application number: CA000447852A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Thomas L. Weil; Gary L. Flasher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-25
Filing date: 1984-02-20
Publication date: 1989-02-07

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A tree protector comprising a flexible band of stainless steel wire mesh is fabricated from wire having a tensile strength of an amount sufficient to produce a wire product having a stretch-ability of at least 5%. The tree protector is made to have a preselected width for wrapping around the trunk of a tree or shrub.

Description

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TREE PROTECTOR
The invention relates to a protection device for trees or shrubs. T~le protection device comprises a flexible knitted metal mesh of a selected width and flexibility. In use, the tree protector is wrapped around a tree so that the sides overlap and then is fastened at the end to prevent unraveling.

Background and Objec-ts of the Invention Tree trunks are subject to attack and destruction from a variety of sources. There is a serious problem caused by small rodents nibbling at trees and shrubs. This nibbling leads to the destruction of trees and shrubs with resulting economic loss. This problem may be especially severe for fruit trees. Trees may also be damaged by grass trimmers, lawn mowers, etc. during grass cut-ting.
Such damage may also result in the loss of a tree. A variety of devices have been used to try and protect trees and shrubs from nibbling rodents or other 'nazards. These devices have included spiral wraps made from plastic or paper. Square woven screen has also been used. These previous attemp-ts at tree protectors have a variety of disadvantages including reducing ventilation to the tree, serving as hiding places for insect larvae and lack of flexibility.
The growth of trees also necessitates frequent adjustment of such inflexible protec-tion. Thus it is an object of -the present invention to provide a device for protecting trees which is s-turdy enough -to resist attack by nibbliny rodents and flexible enough to conform to the shape of a tree -trunk. It is a further object of this invention to provide a tree protector which allows ventilation to the tree trunk on which it is placed. It is ye-t another object of this invention to provide a tree protector which cloes not serve as a hiding place for harmful insects and insect larvae.

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Summary of the Invention -The present invention provides a tree protector comprising a Elexihle knitted metal mesh such as stainless s-teel and having a preselected width and -flexibility; in use the tree protector is wrapped around the trunk of the tree and fastened onto itself or the tree trunk.

Detailed Descrip-tion of the Invention The tree protector of this invention comprises a stretchable and flexible knitted metal mesh fabricated as a band with a preselected width for use as a wrap on a tree -trunk. While it may be possible to -Eabricate the knitted metal mesh Erom a variety o-f me-tal wire materials it is preferred that stainless steel wire be used. Stainless steel wire has good s-treng-th and durability. Stainless steel wire also has good processability, e.g.
the surface of the wire has a limited amount of galling. It is desirable to -form a tree protector which is flexible, ye-t not too springy. The thickness and tensile strength (or break strength) of the wire used may vary according to the type of wire chosen, e.g.
stainless steel and the ability to -Eorm it into the desired knitted product. It is to be noted that while a wire having an initial tensile strength is selected, the initial tensile strength will be increased through work hardening during the formation of the knit-ted product. If a wire having too high a tensile strength is used the product may be too curly and not conform well -to the tree trunk.
Addi-tionally there may be some problems in processability. A double strand oE wire may also be used. The stretchability or stretch capability of the tree protector should be from about 5% -to abou-t 15%, with 10~ being a more preferred value.
In a particularly preferred embodimen-t a double strand of stainless steel wire is used in -the knit where the initial tensile s-trength of the stainless steel wire used is selected to be between from abou-t 100,000 to about 135,000 psi (pounds per square inch) with 110,000 to about 130,000 being the most preferred range.
While various gauges of wire may be used, it is preferred that the tensile strength range be maintainable. For example, when using stainless steel, wire of a 5 or 6 mil gauge was found satisfactory.
Fabrication of the wire into a knit-ted structure is accomplished on a flat bed knitter to form a band having a plain rib knit of a preselected width. The width should be selected t.o form an easily handlable wrap and must consider -the limits of the knitting machine used. Small widths of about one inch may be useful for shrubs having a small circumference while larger widths, e.g. 2-6 inches, may be useful for trees. In use, the tree protector comprising a flexible knitted metal band is wrapped around the trunk of the tree or shrub to a height of approximately 15-18 inches. It is preferred that the overlapping edges of the wrap be positioned to interlock so that the wrap does not pull apart to leave exposed areas of -the trunk vulnerable to attack by small rodents. For protection against lawn equipment, e.g. grass trimmers and lawn mowers, it is suggested that three layers each approximately five inches high be wrapped around the trunk. The flexible nature of the tree protec-tor allows the tree to grow circumferentially for a period of time without the constant need for rewrapping.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment A tree protector was fabricated from two strands of stainless steel wire each having an initial tensile strength of between 110,000 to about 130,000 psi and a gauge of about 5 mils.
The knitting was accomplished on a V-bed machine wlth a plain rib stitch using 1~ gauge needl0s a-t 5 needles per inch. A band having a width of approximately 2 1/2 inches and a leng-th of approximately 8 feet was made.
While various embodiments have been described it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations may be found which are within the spirit and scope of -the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS

1. A tree protector comprising a band of flexible knitted stainless steel wire mesh of a preselected width wherein said mesh is fabricated from at least one strand of wire having a tensile strength of sufficient quantity to produce a wire mesh product having a stretch capability of at least 5%.

2. The tree protector of claim 1 wherein said band of flexible wire mesh comprises a rib knit.

3. The tree protector of claim 1 wherein said strand of wire has an initial tensile strength of from about 100,000 psi to about 135,000 psi.

4. The tree protector of claim 2 wherein said strand of wire has an initial tensile strength of from about 100,000 psi to about 135,000 psi.

5. The tree protector of claim 1 wherein said knitted wire mesh is fabricated from two strands of wire.

6. The tree protector of claim 2 wherein said knitted wire mesh is fabricated from two strands of wire.

7. The tree protector of claim 5 wherein said strands of wire are both stainless steel and each of said wires has a gauge of about 5 mils and an initial tensile strength of from about 110,000 psi to about 130,000 psi.