Tree tags

[Gray git]

I've been asked to re-tag about 150 trees as part of a job working of a report as kids have snapped off the old disk type tags making identify a little harder than it should be, they want to go for plastic type tags this time so just asking if I need to get the purpose made hammer for them or any other alternatives are advised, looked at what treekit and landmark trading have available but very different prices, advice appreciated.

[treequip]

If you mean the Latschbacher tags, they are for end grain on cut timber rather than trees. They can do some ugly damage to trees is applied parallel to the grain, particularly on thin bark and especially on Acers

 

Most have a nail hole so use that rather than the applicator hammer

[Gray git]

If you mean the Latschbacher tags, they are for end grain on cut timber rather than trees. They can do some ugly damage to trees is applied parallel to the grain, particularly on thin bark and especially on Acers

 

Most have a nail hole so use that rather than the applicator hammer

 

Just worked on another site which were all that style of tag dug into the bark and applied on recommendation by the consultant on his last inspection as apparently better than nailing to the tree and definitely better for the chipper if you miss 1!

Definitely cheaper to use the nails as a normal hammer will do.

[treequip]

Just worked on another site which were all that style of tag dug into the bark and applied on recommendation by the consultant on his last inspection as apparently better than nailing to the tree and definitely better for the chipper if you miss 1!

Definitely cheaper to use the nails as a normal hammer will do.

 

I don't see how those tags can be better, they leave horrendous damage where a traditional ally tag and nail leaves nothing but a tiny hole that's plugged by a nail.

 

As far as the chipper goes the tiny nail and that paper thin ally disk should be no kind of challenge to a chipper.

 

The consultant needs to look at the state those tags leave the bark in a couple of seasons after the survey

[daltontrees]

I don't see how those tags can be better, they leave horrendous damage where a traditional ally tag and nail leaves nothing but a tiny hole that's plugged by a nail.

 

As far as the chipper goes the tiny nail and that paper thin ally disk should be no kind of challenge to a chipper.

 

The consultant needs to look at the state those tags leave the bark in a couple of seasons after the survey

 

I have to clarify. The forestry range of Latschbacher tags come in at least 3 different patterns of lugs, and the curved ones are only suitable for end-grain, it would be almost criminal to use them on bark of living trees and I agree about Acers, the damage can be phenomenal and I have seen it being so bad on a Norway that it has split the bark from the ground to about 3 metres and will probably kill the tree 10 or 20 years on.

 

But the straight lug tags are ideal for living trees, the slightly barbed lug penetrates only the bark and if you adjust your hitting action you can be almost sure never to break the cambium. The tag gets carried on the bark as the tree grows.

 

Latschbacher also does Arbotags or something like that which are designed purely for living trees, and although a special hammer is needed it looks like an effective system. One of the key benefits of Latschbacher generally is the ability to tag trees at a height of 2.2m with no difficulty at all, perfect for situations where kids are going to try and nick them. And it's a fast fast system, on a cold day with numb fingers you can tag trees in no more than the time it takes to walk (or run) between them, I can tag a tree as I pass it without breaking stride.

 

I did a big survey last year, client specified Latschbacher, and I was also reinspecting trees tagged as far back as 2008. I have just started a big survey and I have taken delivery of 3000 Latschbacher tags which I recommended to the client. They are laser-etched with the client's name, and of a colour chosen not to coincide with the opposing local team colours and the cost of customising them was very little extra. These trees were tagged with aluminium discs in 2008.

 

The evidence is that the survival rate of Latschbacher tags falls about 5% a year whereas the aluminium discs are about 10 a year. And where the discs have lasted and the tree has had to wrap around the tag the wounds are messy and some were getting infected.

 

So, check out the full range of Signumat/Latschbacher tags before condemning them all, there's more to them than the end-grain pattern. They are the best anti-pilfering soulution and by far the fastest system I have ever used. They're only slightly dearer than the aluminium discs, and of course no nails are needed (although one or two can be added if required).

 

And yes you need the hammer, which is dear, but it's very ergonomic and should last forever. I don't use the cassettes myself.

 

I got mine from Landmark Trading, they were significantly more expensive than Richmonds but it was worth it because they called me back, listened and understood what I wanted and kept me informed all the way and couriered them to me when they said they would. 4 weeks on I'm still waiting for Richmonds to call me back.

[10 Bears]

I like the Latschbacher system too, and have used it many times. The only drawback I would say is that grey squirrels are a little find of them, either scratching off the numbers as they try to chem them, or completely removing the tags and running off with them - I have seen this happen!

 

All in though, when tagging trees, I would choose Latschbacher over ali tags every time.