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Posted

Forgive me.  I know we've had a discussion like this recently, but I'd like to open it back up for some more ideas.  As you know, gophers can be a real problem here in California.  My yard has been overrun by them for years so all of my plantings are being caged underground until I can thin out the population.  I'm beginning an end of summer push to get about 20-30 plants into the ground so I have something to show for this year.

So far I've used chicken wire w/ a 1 inch mesh.  I'm fairly confident that this is a good size to allow fat roots to grow out but no gophers in.  Anyone think 1" is too big of a mesh and will allow gophers to sneak in?

Here's the real rub:  My neighbor has a bunch of aviary wire that he's willing to give me.  This is basically chicken wire (similar thin gauge) but the mesh is only 1/2 of an inch.  I have worries that the smaller mesh will not allow roots to get out and the plants, although planted in the ground, will not be able to get estalished and roots will be damaged, sliced or crowded.  On the flip side, maybe the smaller mesh is good because, as long as I make a large planting hole, it will essentially basket the rootball until the mesh has a chance to rust out, at that time the large established plant can really stretch it's legs and will have a thick inpenetrable rootball that a gopher won't be able to do any noticable damage before I notice him and kill him.  

Do you see my thoughts?  I'd hate to plant out a bunch of plants and make a big mistake.  Please, anyone with any thoughts about roots, wire, rusting, etc, please respond.  Thanks, MattyB.

P.S., my neighbor also has 1/2" mesh hardware cloth that he's willing to give me but the guage of that wire is thicker and I'm afraid that will take many years to rot out.  

Help? ???

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

Matt,

I am having the same problem with Gophers in NorCal.  I will be digging a trench around my yard to place a barrier, but until then I am using the carbon monoxide from my car to take care of the suckers.  Check out this site and good luck.

http://www.undergroundexterm.com/

Dan

Foggy San Francisco

Average Monthly Hi 60.2 F

Average Monthly Lo 49.9 F

Avearge Monthy 55.2F

Average Summer Hi 61.8F

Average Winter Lo 45.8

Posted

Ha!  An ABS reducer down to a male hose thread and stick it on the exaust pipe! I love it.  I mean that's cruel.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

Yes a barrier around the yard is the best defense in the long run.  I would hate to have to line all my palms with chicken wires.  However, you may need to line the barrier more than 2 ft deep.  A few of the landscapers that I know said that gophers sometimes have holes more than 4 feet deep.

Posted

My vote is for gasssing them... Cough cough, uh, er I mean aviary wire...  I forgot what it is called but palm roots work around things vs. destroying them (like how they won't tear up a sidewalk like an oak) I would imagine it may restrict some roots (most palm rootsdont get much larger than 1/2 and inch anyhow) but the aplm would just send out a new root... and like you said that wire will rust out...  I dunno what kinda smack I'm talkin...  I have no good reason.  Aviary wire - final answer.

Posted

I think you need a whole battalion of Steve's GI JOES  myself! :;): At least at first, to get things under control. Then you can do a draw down in strength. Eventually  a small platoon on constant  patrol should keep things under control!

Edit: chicken wire,aviary wire,like William I dunno know,sorry? :D

Scott

Titusville, FL

1/2 mile from the Indian River

USDA Zone COLD

Posted

aviary wire (cloth) is like hardware cloth, 1/2"  x 1 1/2" galvanized after welding 14 gauge is an easy to use size, requires no frame to make shapes and can be clipped together with wire clips or hog rings (hog rings will rust) The clips are usually aluminum.  a 100' roll of this wire was $220.  (about 7 years ago).

Alan

Tampa, Florida

Zone - 10a

Posted

Ok, then to  clarify, what I'm calling aviary wire is chicken wire (the hexagonal shape) w/ a 1/2" mesh.

William, I've been looking at roots alot lately and I've seen a lot of roots that are bigger than 1/2" in diameter.  Maybe Bo can chime in.  He's probably got charts on the diameter of root thicknessess.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

the wire will rust out after a while anyway so I dont see it as much of an issue, the roots on palms are stout enough to go thru a lot of other stuff, concrete, blactop , etc

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Abraham Lincoln

The way of the transgressor is hard

Posted

Also places that sell more farming related items have PVC coated wire mesh - usually in green.

It's heavy duty stuff. I used it in Oregon to keep deer away from plants. It's just a thought.

Scott

San Fernando Valley, California

Sunset Climate Zone 18

Posted

(palmotrafficante @ Sep. 27 2007,11:35)

QUOTE
the wire will rust out after a while anyway so I dont see it as much of an issue, the roots on palms are stout enough to go thru a lot of other stuff, concrete, blactop , etc

Tad,  I figured that the wire will rust out eventually, it's the "after a while" part that I'm trying to get some input on.  

bump

bump

bump

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

plant away matty b no worries your roots gonna be fine, smaller mesh muy bueno, I would think as small as gophers are 1 inch mesh would be toooo big.

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Abraham Lincoln

The way of the transgressor is hard

Posted

You could block the palms with 36" rhizome bamboo barrier.  Just make a large ring around the palms and they should be fine.  The barrier has save all my bamboo from the gophers.  Unfortunately, the barrier can be expensive.

Dan

Foggy San Francisco

Average Monthly Hi 60.2 F

Average Monthly Lo 49.9 F

Avearge Monthy 55.2F

Average Summer Hi 61.8F

Average Winter Lo 45.8

Posted

Thanks for the suggestion Dan.  If I had to dig a 36" hole at my place I would need dynamite as it turns into rock between 6" and 12" down.  Don't ask me how the gophers manage it 'cause I don't know.  I've not been able to trap a single one yet.  They seem to have adapted to the terrain and only move in very shallow burrows (2-3 inches deep) until they find a pocket and then go down I guess.  I have no experience with this yet, but according to my neighbor Bob, once you plant a palm and start watering it the DG starts to break down and the roots find their ways into the cracks.  I think it's similar to Bo's lava.  As long as there's water then they find a way to root out.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

Good luck and post pics when you can

Dan

Foggy San Francisco

Average Monthly Hi 60.2 F

Average Monthly Lo 49.9 F

Avearge Monthy 55.2F

Average Summer Hi 61.8F

Average Winter Lo 45.8

Posted

so let me get this straight, your worried if the roots will make it thru the wire or not? but your not worried about them finding their way thru the rocks and stuff???  wrap them up in your free wire plant them an forget about it!!!

Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.

Abraham Lincoln

The way of the transgressor is hard

Posted

(BigFrond @ Sep. 27 2007,09:18)

QUOTE
Yes a barrier around the yard is the best defense in the long run.  I would hate to have to line all my palms with chicken wires.  However, you may need to line the barrier more than 2 ft deep.  A few of the landscapers that I know said that gophers sometimes have holes more than 4 feet deep.

I would  consider "barriers" (as described below) a placebo.  I drilled 3' diameter holes around my property for trees and have found gopher holes pop up 10' below grade in the bottom of some holes.

Cages are the only effective barrier here.  Even with two cats and semi-residen hawks, our two acres are infested with gophers.

Robert

Madera, CA (central San Joaquin valley)

9A

Posted

(palmotrafficante @ Sep. 27 2007,13:41)

QUOTE
so let me get this straight, your worried if the roots will make it thru the wire or not? but your not worried about them finding their way thru the rocks and stuff???  wrap them up in your free wire plant them an forget about it!!!

Good point.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

Chicken wire is too big, aviary is too small.  The reason I've been down on the aviary wire...I've dug some plants that had the aviary wire after three years in the ground, and the wire looks the same as the day I put it in. Galvinizing techniques have improved, and that sucks for those of us doing battle with these merciless killers.

An aggressive rooted palm, such as a Biz or P Torallyi can produce roots too large for those aviary holes in 3/4 years, thus keeping the roots inside the basket. I have 3 Biz in the ground here from 15's three years ago, and he caged one is half the plant.

I'll come help you set some traps properly and map out your strategery..LMK

Signed,

Obee Juan de Topo

If global warming means I can grow Cocos Nucifera, then bring it on....

Posted

(MattyB @ Sep. 27 2007,12:16)

QUOTE
Ha!  An ABS reducer down to a male hose thread and stick it on the exaust pipe! I love it.  I mean that's cruel.

That's PERFECT!

All we need is a recipe for Gopher Curry . . . .

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Posted

Barriers won't keep them out.  You'll need to just keep after them.  

Maybe trespass on the yard they're invading from?

(I love gopher curry . . . )

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Posted

here's the stuff

goferwire.jpg

I get by with a little help from my fronds

Posted

Danny - That looks pretty good. I guess you line the hole you've dug with it then plant as normal?

Scott

San Fernando Valley, California

Sunset Climate Zone 18

Posted

(STEVE IN SO CAL @ Sep. 27 2007,20:42)

QUOTE
Chicken wire is too big, aviary is too small.  The reason I've been down on the aviary wire...I've dug some plants that had the aviary wire after three years in the ground, and the wire looks the same as the day I put it in. Galvinizing techniques have improved, and that sucks for those of us doing battle with these merciless killers.

An aggressive rooted palm, such as a Biz or P Torallyi can produce roots too large for those aviary holes in 3/4 years, thus keeping the roots inside the basket. I have 3 Biz in the ground here from 15's three years ago, and he caged one is half the plant.

I'll come help you set some traps properly and map out your strategery..LMK

Signed,

Obee Juan de Topo

That's not what I wanted to hear Steve! :angry:  The caged one is half the plant?  Ohhhh nooooo.   I've already planted Bizzies w/ chicken wire in a heavily infested area.  They can really get through 1" chicken wire?  Prove it. :(   I'm hoping that the aviary wire will rot out quicker than yours because it's already rusting a bit because it's been sitting out for probably 10 years under Bob's tree.

Matt Bradford

"Manambe Lavaka"

Spring Valley, CA (8.5 miles inland from San Diego Bay)

10B on the hill (635 ft. elevation)

9B in the canyon (520 ft. elevation)

Posted

If I was going to wire something again, I'd use chicken not aviary. Mine were all planted in aviary wire. But you should trap also...

If global warming means I can grow Cocos Nucifera, then bring it on....

Posted

(palmazon @ Sep. 28 2007,07:24)

QUOTE
here's the stuff

goferwire.jpg

Danny-

Dost thou have sale locations?

Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

"The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

-George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

  • 5 years later...
Posted

(palmazon @ Sep. 28 2007,07:24)

QUOTE
here's the stuff

goferwire.jpg

Danny-

Dost thou have sale locations?

Coral Gables, FL 8 miles North of Fairchild USDA Zone 10B

Posted

Matty has since hired a professional to do this job.

  • Upvote 1

In my post I sometimes express "my" opinion. Warning, it may differ from "your" opinion. If so, please do not feel insulted, just state your own if you wish. Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or any other damages

Posted (edited)

Hi,

For the past 2 to 3 years i have using this gaze wire metal mesh with plastic surrounding,its light weight and also flexible too.And it does not cost the earth.I buy these thing in meters and then cut it according to my requirement.Here are the visuals for those who have not see it in my Palm maintenance threads...

post-108-0-01350200-1379244649_thumb.jpg post-108-0-92439400-1379244753_thumb.jpg

post-108-0-91305500-1379244696_thumb.jpg post-108-0-44141600-1379244722_thumb.jpg

post-108-0-23685400-1379244786_thumb.jpg

And this thing cheap and it works !

Love,

kris.

Edited by Kris

love conquers all..

43278.gif

.

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