Author Topic: Tagging trees  (Read 8324 times)

Dada

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Tagging trees
« on: March 24, 2017, 12:04:39 PM »
Hi,
I have a question to all. What do you use for tagging trees. I used plastic tags and write on them with a permanent marker. But often after some time it fades out. Any hints on close to permanent labels will be appreciated!

Zafra

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2017, 12:21:08 PM »
I cut soda cans into tags and scratch the name into the metal. Works for me - never fades and I have yet to have one rust.

TREESNMORE

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2017, 12:23:45 PM »
Make a map of your trees in your yard .
Mike

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2017, 12:30:08 PM »
I use 1.5 x 1.5 inch aluminum cut from soda cans. Write the plant name on there with a permanent marker. Then punch holes on the written lettering.
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skhan

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2017, 03:03:14 PM »
Hi,
I have a question to all. What do you use for tagging trees. I used plastic tags and write on them with a permanent marker. But often after some time it fades out. Any hints on close to permanent labels will be appreciated!

Had the same problem, even with the new extra permanent markers.

Now I use pencil, haven't had any problems with fading yet.

EvilFruit

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2017, 03:46:34 PM »
Moh'd

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2017, 07:50:19 PM »
I use plastic tags, but I write with what are called 'Paint Markers'. These work fine. The writing does not fade over time.

HIfarm

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2017, 09:10:35 PM »
This topic comes up fairly often.  I use a Dymo Rhino 1011, which embosses letters onto stainless steel or aluminum tapes.  I have done hundreds of labels with it & I am happy with it.  I secure these with stakes I make from 1/2" PVC pipe & screw the label to the stake with a stainless screw (reg steel screws start to rust badly here in less than a year).  I like a "belt & suspenders" approach so I also maintain a map of the orchard.

Earlier discussion on this can be found here:
http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=10503.0;nowap

pineislander

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2017, 09:38:14 PM »
I use a Dymo Rhino 1011, which embosses letters onto stainless steel or aluminum tapes.
Nice industrial tool. Maybe slip the plastic pipe over a rebar for sturdiness. Everyone wants this for Christmas! I've been helping a new owner of a property which has several 100 trees some fairly uncommon and almost all are unlabeled with no records. This could have been avoided.
http://www.labelcity.com/DYMO-M1011-METAL-TAPE-EMBOSSER.html?gclid=CjwKEAjwh9PGBRCfso2n3ODgvUcSJAAhpW5ob6RmgeFQk_zMMKf2ZnAQJbGHy7mIXkbO5UudDPRQwBoCsPnw_wcB
« Last Edit: March 24, 2017, 09:40:43 PM by pineislander »

spaugh

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2017, 10:00:59 PM »
I print out the name on 72pt font in WORD.  Then laminate it and staple it to a stake and put one at the base of each tree.  Ypu can get a laminate machine on amzon for 20$
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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2017, 11:47:50 PM »
I bought some copper plant tags at a local nursery for about $9 for 20.  I then used a scrawl to etch the name into it.  I like the aluminum can ideal even better.

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2017, 06:56:48 PM »
Whatever permanent labels you decide to use it's also good to have a backup map, because some labels always get lost or damaged. Also a map allows you to look at all your plantings at once. Store the map on your hard drive and back up on flash drive or cloud drive. A map also allows you to have information that may not fit on your label, like date of acquisition ans source of acquisition.
Oscar

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2017, 10:02:39 AM »
Whatever permanent labels you decide to use it's also good to have a backup map, because some labels always get lost or damaged. Also a map allows you to look at all your plantings at once. Store the map on your hard drive and back up on flash drive or cloud drive. A map also allows you to have information that may not fit on your label, like date of acquisition ans source of acquisition.

Great advice! This is what I am using - http://youtu.be/SKKnCvMsMh8.

fruitlovers

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2017, 04:39:35 AM »
Nice signs! I think that would be too time consuming for me as i have too many hundreds of trees. Do you hire out?  ;D 
One question, shouldn't you use some pipe adhesive between sign coupling and stake to make sure the sign doesn't pop off or "walk" off?
Oscar

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2017, 01:30:05 PM »
Hi,
I have a question to all. What do you use for tagging trees. I used plastic tags and write on them with a permanent marker. But often after some time it fades out. Any hints on close to permanent labels will be appreciated!

Problem was solved for me when I started using Aluminum Plant Label Tree Tags (deluxe version of cutting up an aluminum can).


https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Plant-Outdoor-Marker-Labels/dp/B00TQMQ4TO

I found a smaller quantity being sold on eBay.

Note: You will need to upgrade the wire provided.

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #15 on: March 27, 2017, 02:17:37 PM »
I'm using plastic label stakes large enough to write the fruit and cultivar, and use outdoor industrial CaseMate Permanent marker to avoid fading, and then spray them with exterior clearcoat to protect them from weather.

Works great and have held up for years.

Mr. Clean

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #16 on: March 28, 2017, 07:48:02 PM »
Stainless steel military "dog tags"; I use an engraving tool.  It will last a lifetime.  You can also use the tag's stainless steel chain to connect them to the tree branch.
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DocFruitFly

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #17 on: March 29, 2017, 01:13:13 PM »
Nice signs! I think that would be too time consuming for me as i have too many hundreds of trees. Do you hire out?  ;D 
One question, shouldn't you use some pipe adhesive between sign coupling and stake to make sure the sign doesn't pop off or "walk" off?

Hey Oscar

I haven't used any glue as they fit on pretty snug so the wind isn't a problem. If someone really wanted to steal them they could just pull up the stake. Also it makes it easier if I need to replace them.

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #18 on: March 30, 2017, 09:27:05 AM »
I cut up aluminum cans and use a small hole punch. I make thousands of tags so I need something cheap and permanent. I attach the tags with 17 g aluminum wire that is marketed for electric fences. $5 for 250 feet.

I also have coding system with numbers/letters that I use in a spreadsheet so I can enter as much information and update as needed.

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This is how I attach them to the pots.


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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #19 on: April 30, 2017, 10:44:39 AM »
What I've been useing is a alluminum drink can cut into strips about 1 inch by 2 inches
I use a pen and press hard-it scores the name into the metal
Makes it easy to read no matter how long it stays out in the weather

gnappi

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #20 on: April 30, 2017, 04:01:22 PM »
Make a map of your trees in your yard .

+1! A map costs nothing, can be updated, won't girdle a branch, and can be handed to a Realtor if you sell your house :-)
Regards,

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ricshaw

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #21 on: April 30, 2017, 05:02:38 PM »

+1! A map costs nothing, can be updated, won't girdle a branch, and can be handed to a Realtor if you sell your house :-)

A map is not very good for keeping track of grafted branches on a cocktail tree.   :-\

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #22 on: October 09, 2017, 01:23:30 PM »
I bought my daughter a 3D printer in 2015 and it recently dawned on me I could print custom labels with it.  The cultivar name is printed right into the label using a hollowed out section and I stake them into the ground.  Will last for a lifetime.  Costs about $1.25 each.  Waiting an hour for each print is about the only issue.  While I  wouldn't buy a printer just for this if you have one already it is quite useful.  I use t glase media as it has no toxic smell when printing. 

With some ingenuity, I am sure a branch specific design could be done.

Daintree

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #23 on: October 10, 2017, 09:13:51 AM »
All my trees and bushes (almost 200) are in my greenhouse, and I have very carefully written on the large plastic plant markers with paint pens.  Common name on one side, latin name on the other side.  Look great!  Until I was watering one day and turned my back on my two-year-old grandson (he is grandkid #8, so you think I would have known better!).  He quickly and efficiently gathered up all my stakes, deposited them in my rose basket and presented them to me!  Of course, he looked so darned cute, happily carrying his little "Melissa and Doug" chameleon watering can, how could I be mad at him?  Have everything unscrambled except some of the citrus...

Carolyn

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #24 on: October 10, 2017, 06:28:47 PM »
As mentioned above, these aluminum tags are great to fill the need. The metal is soft enough to indent the with normal writing from a ball point pen. 50 of them for $10. Really hard to beat.

https://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Durability-Applications-Emboss-Aluminum/dp/B01LP3KFWS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507674373&sr=8-1&keywords=aluminum+tree+tags


Bill Blevins

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #26 on: February 12, 2018, 01:24:30 PM »
Make a map of your trees in your yard .

Agreed! I wanted a map of all of the plants in my yard and I also wanted nice plant tags. I couldn't find anything that I could afford and so I built Plants Map back in 2014-15.

Feel free to give it a try and request a free custom sample tag that links to one of your plants to see how everything works: http://info.plantsmap.com/tags

Here is my half of the yard. My wife has another 1000 or so "dots" in her woodland garden ;)



Here's my profile: https://www.plantsmap.com/bill-blevins

« Last Edit: February 12, 2018, 01:29:48 PM by Bill Blevins »
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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #27 on: February 12, 2018, 11:21:00 PM »
Thanks Bill!  Sample ordered!  I'll post a picture when it comes in.... this is exactly what I have been looking for.

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #28 on: February 13, 2018, 12:19:24 AM »
I tried Aluminum tags but they split open but stay on, One I find most useful is using brother label maker, I print labels, have labels from 6 years ago and have not faded. Cant speak for Florida that gets a lot of rain, but have not faded in UV dry heat, after 6 yrs in my yard I know what I what, need tags for newer ones as everything I have are cocktail of 10 plus varieties, whether its mangoes, cherimoya, stone fruits, citrus, or avocados. I print long tag and then glue together the two ends around the branch, tag opens as branch gets thicker. However, I will perm tag them at some point, its always good to tag.

ScottR

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #29 on: February 13, 2018, 11:45:34 AM »
I used to use aluminum labels but being close to ocean some would oxidize with in a few years now I use National band & Tag Co.I order # 2720 -which are copper tags  check out at www.nationalband.com or tags@nationalband.com. I get 1000 tags for $100. And you can just write name on them. ;)

Seanny

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #30 on: February 13, 2018, 09:28:34 PM »
Any one has success with engraving on aluminum?

I have a pencil engraver and a roll of aluminum. I'm wondering if it worth doing it.
My other option is to get metal alphabet stamp to stamp the aluminum.

spaugh

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #31 on: February 13, 2018, 11:37:37 PM »
I used to use aluminum labels but being close to ocean some would oxidize with in a few years now I use National band & Tag Co.I order # 2720 -which are copper tags  check out at www.nationalband.com or tags@nationalband.com. I get 1000 tags for $100. And you can just write name on them. ;)

nice, thanks
Brad Spaugh

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #32 on: February 14, 2018, 05:33:36 AM »
Second the map!

I have used steel and copper a lot in The past but don't like it nearly as much as aluminum now.  Copper also goes green, steel that's.  Never tried stainless but its hard as hell. Copper and alumni are easy with a strong pen or rounded nail.  Never lived near the ocean so no experience on the aluminum near salt water, good to know.  But copper and steel will go bad regardless of ocean proximity.

Plastic is a never, it will degrade in UV.  Perhaps some are better but trees being long term, they always outlive their tags.  I gave up on plastic after 5 years and countless collections confused and data lost.  Also the time I started making maps, that is a brilliant idea!  Print it too, never trust a hard drive...

PltdWorld

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #33 on: February 16, 2018, 07:25:46 PM »
The first of my PlantsMap tags just came in... super excited!  Our community does a Spring Garden Tour and my goal is to have all of my trees tagged on the walking path I built before the 2019 tour.










wslau

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #34 on: February 17, 2018, 03:06:08 AM »
Mentioned earlier....the best metal labels I have found are the aluminum ones embossed by the DYMO Rhino M1011 label maker.  Overall, not cheap though.  The label maker costs more than $130 and the aluminum tape rolls costs several dollars each.  But these labels do not fall apart (with age) because they are a single piece of aluminum.  The "pressed" metal labels that everyone else has recommended can separate over time.  I've experienced this...hence why I have switched to the DYMO labels.
You do have to buy metal tie wire separately to wrap the tag around the branch.
However, the DYMO can punch a nice small hole in the aluminum tape tag.

« Last Edit: February 17, 2018, 02:36:17 PM by wslau »
Warren

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #35 on: February 17, 2018, 08:09:33 AM »
Not the best  way but a quickie way is to use the old  type window blinds that are thick that are sunlight resistant. Write on them with pencil not any kind of ink pen or sharpie. Cut to six- nine inches. After writing the trees name stick the written end in the ground at the base of the tree or cover it with a rock or two or a brick.

Thinner new style blinds might work. I have not tried them.

Triloba Tracker

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #36 on: February 17, 2018, 12:31:13 PM »
 Good discussion. I need permanent labels for grafts that I’m doing in the woods. Hundreds of trees out there,  so a map is not feasible. I had heard of the soda can idea, but I just bought some of the aluminum tags from Amazon. Thanks for the link!

Bill Blevins

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #37 on: February 19, 2018, 08:33:14 AM »
The first of my PlantsMap tags just came in... super excited!

Wow. Nice mounting job! That is how Florida Tech Botanical Garden is mounting theirs. Can I use one of those photos to show mounting options?

Your tags are cut from a 0.040" aluminum sheet that has been coated with a surface called UltraBlack. It is military spec satin black surface that is in simulated testing (ongoing) for 12+ years and is showing no degradation after temp extremes, uv and chemical exposure, etc. This surface is what is used to label the outside of aircraft parts. Our partners at Goodwill Industries use a C02 laser to etch through the black surface to expose the aluminum underneath. Unless you hit it with your shovel or weed trimmer it should last for years. Our friend who owns Lark Label has customers with the same material and some are are 20 years old and they still look new. At our botanical garden, we clean the tags once a year with regular windex - usually the weekend before a big garden tour :)
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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #38 on: February 19, 2018, 08:41:01 AM »
I’m doing in the woods. Hundreds of trees out there,  so a map is not feasible.

Do you have a mobile phone signal where you are working on the trees? ie: can you visit a website on your smartphone while you are out in the woods?
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Triloba Tracker

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #39 on: February 19, 2018, 11:10:45 AM »
I’m doing in the woods. Hundreds of trees out there,  so a map is not feasible.

Do you have a mobile phone signal where you are working on the trees? ie: can you visit a website on your smartphone while you are out in the woods?

Yep...

Bill Blevins

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #40 on: February 19, 2018, 12:40:11 PM »
I’m doing in the woods. Hundreds of trees out there,  so a map is not feasible.

Do you have a mobile phone signal where you are working on the trees? ie: can you visit a website on your smartphone while you are out in the woods?

Yep...

There is a button on Plants Map edit pages to use your phone GPS to locate where you are standing to map plants in the field. It actually works really good in town and gets the pin within 5-10 feet. The problem is out in the forest where there is no signal, it gets sketchy and the pins aren't as close. I usually pin a tree from my phone in the field and then come back to a computer or my tablet and fine tune it. Here is an example of a trail someone made in the woods https://www.plantsmap.com/organizations/grelen-nursery
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wslau

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Re: Tagging trees
« Reply #41 on: February 19, 2018, 07:20:00 PM »
The aluminum tag (2 aluminum sheets pressed between paper) may separate over time, but it won't fall off.
So yes, it is still the best and cheapest deal for permanent tagging.


« Last Edit: February 19, 2018, 07:24:36 PM by wslau »
Warren