Protecting new trees from beavers

[traveler]

So we put some willows near the shore at the new cabin for privacy, etc...

It's on a river, and we saw some beavers in the channel right in front of the cabin. There aren't any dams around and few trees close by, but i know beavers like willows so I figure they might target them for food even if not for dam building.

Anybody have any ideas? The "hot lead injection" is doable, but I hear it's not very effective in the long run, and we kind of like having the wildlife close by:) Just not quite that close...! Thanks.

[JeffB]

I have heard that wrapping the base with chicken wire will do the trick.

[Acemac]

traps!

you will have beaver issues until you figure out how to get rid of the beaver!

[Tom7227]

traps!

you will have beaver issues until you figure out how to get rid of the beaver!

And it's about impossible to get rid of the beaver, espcially on moving water. Put some stout fencing around them, maybe a circle about 2 feet out and that may work.

[traveler]

yup, thats about the gist of what I've read so far... trying to get rid of them is almost futile, need to concentrate on "armoring" the trees. I bought some 3 ft. high fenceing that i'm going to wrap them with asap...hope I'm not too late:)

[bassmann77]

My Dad's friend had the same situation that you are in. He put the heavy duty chicken wire around the trees and it worked for him. He did notice that the beavers would just move down the river and get the other trees. Hope whatever option you choose works for you.

[Tom7227]

If you actually put the fencing on the trees you could create a problem in a few years because it will constrict the growth of the trunk and eventually kill the tree. That's why I suggested putting it out a ways. Ifyou do put it on the trees I also wonder if 3 feet is high enough. Just wondering, don't know for sure how high they can reach to do their thing.

[sturgeonator]

How big do you think a beaver grows? I've trapped thousands of them through the years and have yet to see one that wouldn't need a step ladder to chew a tree down over a three foot fence!

[traveler]

I'm thinking 3 feet will he high enough. Unless they team up and do a beaver pile.

I'll keep it plenty loose around the trunks to allow for growth, plus i can loosten it eventually as needed.