While it is frustrating to notice signs of beaver damage on trees, it is important to recognize the importance of these wetland creatures and strike a healthy balance. Read on for some helpful tips to protect trees from beaver damage.
Beaver Tree Damage Prevention
It’s taken a long time, but beavers are making a strong comeback after an unregulated fur trade decimated numbers in much of the country, driving the animals almost to the point of extinction. It is important to note that beavers are extremely beneficial residents of riparian environments , helping the ecosystem by controlling flooding, improving water quality, and providing habitat for plants and animals.
Unfortunately, if you own waterfront property, beavers may be wreaking havoc with the trees in your landscape. Beavers are resourceful animals and can find many ingenious ways to reach desirable plants and trees, often taking advantage of their teeth for additional leverage. While they prefer trees in 50 ft 15 m of water, they are often willing to travel 150 ft 45 m. or more from the water’s edge, especially if food is scarce.
Signs of beaver damage to trees
Freshly cut trees are the most obvious signs of beaver damage, and beavers are smart enough to drop the tree in exactly the right direction almost every time. Beavers have huge, sharp teeth that allow them to take down a small tree in a matter of minutes, but larger trees take a little longer to gnaw through.
Beavers also break branches to build dams and may eat the inner layer of bark, known as the cambium layer.
How to Protect Trees from Beaver Damage
Circle cages or wrapping trees with chicken wire work well for individual trees, but may not be practical if you have many trees on your property. If this is the case, consider protecting the most valuable trees first. Chicken wire is fine in a pinch, but stronger wire will last longer and offer more protection. A cage 3 feet (3 feet) high is ample in most climates, but 4 feet (3 feet) is better if you get a lot of snow. Leave about 6 inches (15 cm) between the tree and the cage.
Fence may be better if you need to protect a larger area, especially if the fence is placed to separate trees from water. If beavers tend to tunnel under the fence, you may need to block their tunnels with concrete blocks. An electrified wire created to keep dogs inside a fenced yard may also offer protection.
A mixture of exterior-grade latex paint and sand can keep beavers away from established trees, but the combination can be harmful to young trees. This method of preventing damage to beaver trees is worth trying, as beavers apparently do not appreciate the feel of sand in their mouths. Paint the trunks to a height of about 4 ft 1 m.
Repellents are usually not effective, although they can buy you a little time while you are devising other methods to protect trees from beaver damage. Try several types of big game repellents.