How to fence trees:
Fence individual trees using 14 gauge welded wire, 4 ft tall, with 2-inch x 4-inch mesh.
Beavers can chew through a weaker gauge, and we recommend the height because heavy snow can raise a beaver’s chewing surface. Depending on tree size, of course, 100 feet of fencing can protect approximately 10 trees.
Leave a gap of one foot in between the tree and the fence, all the way around the trunk’s
circumference. This practice gives the tree room to grow and ensures that this method
will be effective for years without needing maintenance or threatening to girdle and harm
the tree.
Cut the fencing so you can secure the seam by simply bending the cut ends around the
other edge. You could also use hog rings or zip ties, if preferred, although we like to
discourage leaving any plastic behind that will eventually rot off and litter the landscape.
Use a few landscape pins or staples (as long as you can find!) to secure the base of
each fence so beavers don’t chew up and underneath it. Over time, vegetation grows
around the base further securing the fence in place. When needed, cut and flare out fencing (or use scrap pieces) to accommodate low branches, roots (which beavers will also chew), and hillsides.
When to fence trees:
When a beaver has already chewed around the entire circumference of a tree, it will
eventually die and is no longer worth wrapping. It is important to wrap high-priority trees
before or immediately after the first signs of chewing are observed.
What trees to fence:
The trickiest part can be deciding what trees to prioritize for fencing. Observe what
beavers have already chewed in your area to learn about ‘your’ beavers’ specific
preferences as they differ from place to place. You need to consider the tree species,
size, and proximity to water among factors such as sentimental attachments, risk of
property damage if felled, species conservation status, and more.
As a general starting point, conifers are least preferred (but beavers can still chew them!). Favorites include alder, maple, willow, birch, poplar, cottonwood, and cherry. Beavers prefer to fell trees
about the diameter of an adult human arm, but can take down much larger trees, often
returning nightly to chew for days or weeks. Trees within 40 meters of the water are most
likely to be felled first, but beavers can travel farther for preferred species.