There are several hidden costs to watch out for when buying tree tubes for tree seedling protection. The two largest of these are: Added tree tube stake length and shipping costs.
Tree tube stake length: With our Tubex Combitube Treeshelters, you can use a 4ft stake with a 4ft tube. You drive the stake 14-16″ into the soil, and the tube is rigid enough so that the portion extending above the stake doesn’t bend or buckle over in the wind.
With other tree tubes you might need a 5ft stake for a 4ft tube, so that after you drive the stake only a few inches of the tube extend above the top of the stake. Otherwise the tubes would crease and bend at the top of the stake.
That extra foot of stake carries several costs: Increased purchase price, increase storage and transport, and of course increased shipping costs.
Speaking of shipping costs, this is another of the hidden costs which can dramatically affect the full delivered cost of a given tree tube. When comparing tree tube options, make sure you are comparing the full delivered price, including tax, shipping and “handling.” Some companies post low online prices, but try to make shipping charges into a “profit center.”
As always, if you have any questions about Wilson Forestry Supply tree tubes, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
