tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094253214225998105.post1858470762146307925..comments2023-07-07T04:35:20.527-04:00Comments on Unstuffed: The Tree Year- Catalpa ObservationsAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14504083012497351241noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094253214225998105.post-4437349102561237972011-03-25T12:47:31.251-04:002011-03-25T12:47:31.251-04:00J.G.!!! You're awesome. Thanks for this info...J.G.!!! You're awesome. Thanks for this info dude. And please send my thanks to your source. :)<br /><br />Now as much as I'd like to get all Hinterland Who's Who on the culprit, I'll probably skip the infrared camera set up and see what I can discover with patience and binoculars- though this is most likely a nocturnal operation!<br /><br />However I think I will concoct some creature bane and paste it on as a deterent. I have a feeling this little catalpa has put up with a lot recently and could do with a break. Love the idea of the festive decorations too. <br /><br />Oh and I did a little more research yesterday and learned that cabling a tree is common practice with forked trunks, but not without risks, and you really need to know what you're doing.<br /><br />Learnening is fun!Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14504083012497351241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6094253214225998105.post-8730419056422889332011-03-25T11:25:39.472-04:002011-03-25T11:25:39.472-04:00I consulted a professional who does some great vol...I consulted a professional who does some great volunteer work (wrt trees) here in the city. <br /><br />Her response is below:<br /><br />======<br />I think your friend is right (but I could put up an infrared camera and do a wildlife study to be sure for a mere $1,000). Perhaps it is being chewed for new squirrel condos, or possibly to eat the cambium (the tissue growing under the corky outer layer). I don’t think the catalpa has especially sweet sap, but perhaps the squirrels think otherwise. <br /><br />As the sap starts to flow, red squirrels sometimes chew holes in the bark of sugar maples and other hardwoods. After the sap oozes out and evaporation concentrates the sugar, the squirrels return to lap up the sweetness.<br /><br />Your friend could put wire mesh hardware cloth or chicken wire around the trunk of the tree to prevent the chewing, and give the tree a chance to partition I off. Spraying the trunk with a taste repellent also might work (but it may wash off). Hot-pepper sprays and products such as Ro-pel are easy to use (so I’m told – I have personally never used them).<br />=====<br /><br />Unstuffed - I vote for the Hot-pepper option, and perhaps add some bright mexican decorations too -- a spring Fiesta for saving sap!J.Garloughhttp://www.jgarlough.canoreply@blogger.com