Rodent Guards for Apple Trees

Wires strung near your apple trees can carry rodents over your tree guards.


Rodents and other small animals can damage the bark around the base of your fruit trees. The damage resulting from these small pests can girdle your trees, preventing vital nutrients from reaching the upper branches. Rodent guards are simple physical barriers that shield your apple tree from gnawing pests. You can employ several different types of barriers to effectively prevent rodent damage.

Rodent Guards

Sheet metal sheathing or rigid plastic installed around the base of your apple tree provides a strong deterrent to rodents and other small animals. Sheet metal used for a rodent guard should measure 2 inches longer than the circumference of your apple tree at the base and between 18 and 24 inches in width. The sheet metal is wrapped around the base of the tree and buried to a depth of 1 inch. The sheet metal is secured using wires looped through holes drilled in the corners of the sheet metal.

Using Paint

Interior latex paint and hardware cloth provide an effective alternative barrier against rodents. A layer of white latex paint applied to the bottom 2 feet of your apple tree's trunk will create a rodent deterrent barrier. Use a section of hardware cloth 2 feet wide and at least 2 inches longer than the circumference of the trunk's base to protect the layer of paint and the tree trunk from damage.

Time of Year

Leaves, apples or other debris trapped between the rodent guard and the trunk can provide a breeding ground for burrowing pests. Rodent guards made from sheet metal or rigid plastic can provide a haven for burrowing insects during the spring and summer. Remove these guards at the end of the winter season to avoid attracting additional pests. Latex paint and hardware cloth are an effective method to prevent rodent damage during the spring and summer without providing a haven for damaging insects.


Trees with low-hanging branches allow rodents to bypass rodent guards. Pruning any low-hanging branches that reach the ground denies rodents a path around your rodent guards. Wooden fences also provide a route for rodents into your tree. You can use traps along the top of the fence on either side of the tree to prevent rodents from using your fences to bypass your rodent guards. Hard plastic rodent guards are often used for smaller apple trees. Prune the lower branches from your young apple trees before you install a rodent guard to maintain a healthy growth habit.

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