388: Tree Tubes, Cages & The Right Way To Protect Fruit Trees with Cory Franceus and Matt Zahl
From Habitat Podcast by Jared Van Hees
May 29, 2026 · 1h 15m
About this episode
In this episode, the hosts discuss various methods for protecting fruit trees and the importance of maintenance.
Habitat Podcast #388 - In today’s episode of The Habitat Podcast, we are back in the studio with Cory Franceus and Matt Zahl! We discuss: Tree tubes are easy, but cages may protect better long-term. Apple trees can struggle when tubes hold leaf debris. Mouse guards help prevent young trees from being girdled. Weak trunks can get damaged after tubes come off. Fruit trees need yearly maintenance, not just planting. Autumn olive can explode fast after sunlight hits the ground. Some autumn olive is worth keeping if it creates bedding. Spring is the time to clean up access and shooting lanes. Food plots help create social activity, not just food. Earlier fall planting may help beat late-summer drought. And So Much More! Shop the New Native Seed Collection from Vitalize Seed here: https://vitalizeseed.com/collections/vitalize-native-product-line Use Code HABITAT26 and Get Your Plot Blaster Here: https://plotblaster.com/ PATREON - Patreon - Habitat Podcast Brand new HP Patreon for those who want to support the Habitat Podcast. Good luck this Fall and if you have a question yourself, just…
People in this episode
Host: Jared Van Hees
Guests: Cory Franceus, Matt Zahl
Topics covered
- fruit tree protection
- tree maintenance
- wildlife management
- food plots
- autumn olive
- saddle hunting
Keywords
- tree tubes
- cages
- apple trees
- mouse guards
- autumn olive
- food plots
- fall planting
Sponsors
Vitalize Seed, Plot Blaster
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Habitat Podcast
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