Remember the Crabapple Dilemma we had in our Georgia Garden last year? To refresh the memory Click HERE. We were at our wits end to save this tree from the Squirrels. We had also missed the blooms each spring with them eating the buds as quickly as they popped out. We decided to give a stovepipe a try and look, it has worked a miracle for us! The pipe was able to keep the squirrels off the tree thus allowing the bark to heal and the buds to pop open this spring!
I enhanced the color in this picture to get a better view as to how many blooms we had. 
The Saint and I were so excited when we started to see buds forming on the tree! No squirrels can get to the buds for a nibble this year. I gave this tree to the Saint a few years ago and it has not done well due to the squirrels chewing and eating on the poor thing.
Now with the stovepipe keeping the squirrels at bay, the crabapple tree is really starting to shine for us.
A bee enjoys a nip on this bright sunny day.
And hopefully, the Chickadees that keep going inside my homegrown gourd house, will soon call this gourd home.Some Commenter's were concerned that the stovepipe would cause heat build up and damage to the trunk of the tree. We were very cautious to keep plenty of room between the trunk and pipe for proper air circulation. So far no damage but we will keep a close eye on her with the heat to come this summer. We are hoping for a crop of crabapples for the birds and deer this fall.
We are happy with CRABAPPLE SUCCESS, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
all looks so pretty, wonderful !!!
ReplyDeletebigh hugh Kathrin
so happy this solution worked for your crabapples. they look lovely.
ReplyDeletehappy springtime.
Oh, how nice! I'm glad you beat those peky pest!
ReplyDeleteSkeeter, I think crabapples have the most beautiful blooms! So glad the pipe worked for you. Our neighbor did that on his pecan trees, but the silly squirrel jumped on other trees and "flew" to the pecan. Neighbor was not happy! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful tree! As gardeners, we have to overcome so many obstacles. Glad you outsmarted the squirrels.
ReplyDeleteThat stovepipe also prevents rabbit damage (they scratch on tree trunks) and deer damage (antler rubbing/scent marking in the fall).
How clever! Now we need a 'How To' for the stove pipe. The Squirrels are eating our pears, again...sigh
ReplyDeleteGood Morning and yet another beautiful day here in GA! I have lots to do today so must make this quick...
ReplyDeleteKathrin, Danke!
Sharon, And Happy Spring to you as well :-)
Dawn, In the game… Squirrel-A million…. Me-A Few, lol…
Meadowview, Those stinkers are smart and cannot be fooled for long. Not sure we have completely fooled them yet as one always seems to crack the code. Only time will tell…
Cameron, the tree is in the deer pathway and I argue with the Saint about putting it there but he wanted it to feed the deer. We must first get it large enough for them to have apples. So the pipe will keep them at bay as well…
Darla, How To=Lowes, Get a Gas Pipe Vent. I think they are used in stove vent hoods to exhaust to the outside but not sure. Anyway, Measure how high you will need it to be. Cut off excess and save for another use. Paint a pretty brown color to match the tree trunk. The Pipe can be opened as it has groves to make a circle shape. Just slip it around the trunk and reattach the groves. Do not attach the pipe to the tree. Just let it rest on the ground loosely. And you have a squirrel deterrent!
I'm so glad this trick worked for you, Skeeter. The crabapples here are already starting to flower--much earlier than usual--and it's such a spectacular sight every spring. Yours is already putting on quite a show.
ReplyDeleteLooks great Skeeter! Our Sargent Crabapple is blooming for the first time this year. An Arbor Day "Freebie".
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! Way to beat the squirrels!! I love the pink crabapples, yours is stunning!
ReplyDeleteAren't squirrels pesky? I love your tree. It is beautiful! I am glad you are able to keep the critters at bay. Carla
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful blooms. I'm so glad you are getting to enjoy them this year. To be so cute, squirrels sure can be destructive.-- Randy
ReplyDeleteRose, these pictures were taken a few weeks ago so the tree is now full Green with leaves!
ReplyDeleteDave, Wonderful! Gotta love those freebies...
Lzyjo, I would not say I have beaten the squirrels yet. They often fool me...
Carla, I enjoy watching those pesky little critters playing but hate when they get into my hard worked areas of the garden. Grrrrr....
Randy, They are the worse with garden destruction! We try our best to live in harmony with the cute things though. I love my animals...
I'm glad you solved the squirrel problem. The flowers are lovely and I really like that gourd bird house.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Crabapples in the garden will be wunderbahr! Smart of you to keep a cushion around the stovepipe. I'm glad it worked. Now it can get big and nothing can harm it (not even voles hopefully;). The pink is really lovely.
ReplyDeleteChristine is supposed to come in today. Lots to do here, I don't even know where to begin, but begin I must. Everyone have a great day!
Thank you, I will be passing this info on to the husband..
ReplyDeleteYeah! I do remember that post last year. Isn't it great when something works out so well. I just love Crabapples, they are in full bloom out here now. I hope the Chickadees make the gourd their home.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so happy now. Yankees are famous for their ingenuity so welcome to yankeedom!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can make some crabapple jelly this year. I think crabapples make the best apple jelly.
Cool trick with the pipe. Love the gourd birdhouse. I have gourds waiting to be birdhouse but so far haven't gotten to them.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your beautiful crabapple tree!
ReplyDeleteHey Skeeter -glad this worked -looks great! Another busy and warm day here for us. The pool is OPEN!! No swimmers yet -daddy has to add some salt:) But, I'm sure tomorrow we'll have a few tadpoles afterschool.
ReplyDeleteHave a great night y'all! Ciao
And what a beauty she is too! Congrats on a successful spring with her.
ReplyDeleteWow, another full day in the garden today! I was in the garden from about 1:00 until the street light came on! I have had so much fun with this wonderful weather. Finished one project and now working on yet another!
ReplyDeleteJean, you crack me up with your Yankeedom, lol...
Tina, How long will Christine be there? I bet Bella girl will be happy to see mommy and mommy happy to see her fur-baby too!
Anonymous, I sure could use a hot tub dip right now! Wow, the back is tired. I bet them tadpoles will be flopping like crazy tomorrow…
Thanks for all the wonderful comments and I will pop over to say hi to all but must make it quick as my back needs to stretch out on the sofa....
Beautiful! My crab is just showing a tiny bit of color.
ReplyDeleteYour bleeding hearts are beautiful also.
Tina that sure deserves a big Whoo hoo! and all it took was a piece of stovepipe. The tree sure is beautiful now.
ReplyDeleteGood work Skeeter, I'm glad you found a solution to your crabapple trouble! We have three of them growing in our easement, courtesy of the city, and they are just about to bloom. About two weeks early this year, but I still love it!
ReplyDeleteIngenious Skeeter! It's amazing the things we have to do to protect our 'babies' from the critters. That's a great solution. Those varmints sure force us to get creative!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on winning the battle.
ReplyDeleteEveryone have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Skeeter! I'm sure the bees and birds would appreciate your efforts. Sometimes I feel bad when I curse the squirrels but I just can't help it. Dang them! They should know their place now.
ReplyDelete