aluminum screening safe for trees?

C

CFDOC

Location
Mid-atlantic
I have a large tree in my backyard that has a 12x9x8 hole in the middle of the trunk just below where all the main branches take off. Unfortunately it has become a nesting spot for opossums. They have been removed and after that was done, I took some black aluminum window screen and folded it over several times and stuffed the hole with it (there is still plenty of space around the screen for air flow since it expanded into a V shape). I then took another piece of rectangular aluminum screen material and nailed it over the hole. My understanding is that this shouldn't rust (it may corrode). Wanted to know if this would injury the tree in any way. There is definitely ventilation and I'm sure this material is rust and corrosion resistant.

Thanks!
 
Sounds like good plan

If the critters get around to tearing out the wadded screen you could take some short roofing nails to tack it in place. Try to find thick layers of bark to
Nail into avoiding a wound into the cambium if possible
 
If the bark is thin I'd recommend 3/8 or 1/2'' deep staples. If the bark is a little beefier try 1'' roofing nails like Tom D suggested. Really thick bark trees like black locust will need 1 1/4 or 1 1/2'' roofing nails.
Fair warning .... copper nails are not good for the tree's health.
 
96coal449 said:
If the bark is thin I'd recommend 3/8 or 1/2'' deep staples. If the bark is a little beefier try 1'' roofing nails like Tom D suggested. Really thick bark trees like black locust will need 1 1/4 or 1 1/2'' roofing nails.
Fair warning .... copper nails are not good for the tree's health.
Click to expand...

I have had several people mention copper toxicity to me as well. It does not make any sense, we (Arborists) install lightning protection into trees quite frequently. All of that hardware is copper. Anyone have any research or data backing this urban legend of copper toxicity to trees? I might rethink selling LP.
 
I've heard the copper deal so many time from so many different people, (old timers included), that I've come to believe it true. Good question Mert. We have all seen black stains in spar wood from steel and iron hardware. So I can see copper doing serious damage if it is indeed toxic. As a kid we made brass smoking pipes and were warned not to use copper as it was toxic to humans under a flame. Through out my roofing career I have been on old buildings with copper flashing and seen someones repair, or add on roof, where they used aluminum flashing to tie into the copper. The copper eats away at the aluminum and corrodes it away to dust.

Anyone have any info on the copper in trees legend?
 
Copper can be used as root barriers near sidewalks, sewers, etc.

It is a micronutrient but found only in small ppm in healthy trees. Application of excess copper in fert and occasionally runoff can be plant toxic, especially in more acidic soils.

Don't know of any papers on tree toxicity from hardware however
 
JD3000 said:
Copper can be used as root barriers near sidewalks, sewers, etc.

It is a micronutrient but found only in small ppm in healthy trees. Application of excess copper in fert and occasionally runoff can be plant toxic, especially in more acidic soils.

Don't know of any papers on tree toxicity from hardware however
Click to expand...
My neighbor is the head toxicologist for NOAA nw. About two years ago he invited me to a party, and unannounced to me it was a publication/regulation win.
The primary focus was passing regulation and a phase out on composit break pads due to the copper content. It turns out the copper break dust gets into the storm drains and then into the watersheds. He linked copper to destroying the salmon fry's olfactory organs which make them subject to a higher % of predation.
Off the record I asked about copper sulfides in the agricultural industry being a significant source. He said that next to storm water run off its number 2.
 
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