Gator bags

[KevinS]

I've never used the gator bags for watering, but there are some small city trees around my house that still have bags on. How long should those bags stay on a tree? Should the bags be left on through the winter or would it have any effect on the lower trunk?

 

[TreeLogic]

Never used them either Kevin but it is my belief that they could cause problems, particularly with causing a buildup of organic material/soil on the root flare. Just a theory though.

 

[KevinS]

I've heard if they're left on to long causing shaded dampness roots can form above ground behind the bag to

 

[tomthetreeman]

One year, max... They deliver water where needed at first, but will encourage too much rooting around the trunk if left on too long. Take off in winter, they can crack. I like to think of them as watering devices for people who just won't do it otherwise. They are a good failsafe.

-Tom

 

[oldoakman]

What Tom said. We leave them on through the season and remove them in the fall. Our water crew takes care of that. Here in the south they seem to encourage fire ant colonies and mice/chipmunks/other rodents like to chew on them. I have also run into snakes when taking them off too.