nails in trees

medieval knievel · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:18 pm Post subject: nails in trees

i'm a bit late in putting the nest boxes up, but was wondering if people had any thoughts on using nails to attach them to the tree? we have a 25 year old birch which i was planning to put one of the boxes on, and had figured that a nail might be OK, if it's good enough for the botanic gardens to use to attach their labels o the trees.
but i've since read you should not use nails - to use rope or wire within some old garden hose.
any thoughts?

Greengage · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:32 pm Post subject:

They use zinc naills, use a brass screw thatcan be removed it does not have to be buried into the tree

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:05 am Post subject:

cheers, i used a brass screw - the tree is still standing this morning anyway.

tippben · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:46 am Post subject:

Two reasons not to use nails.

Firstly, they will damage to sapwood of the tree, and can lead to serious fungal infection.

Secondly, at some point that tree will have to be cut down or cut up. This will almost certainly involve a chainsaw. Chainsaws really really hate hitting metal. It can be quite dangerous!

James Kilkelly · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:04 am Post subject: Re: nails in trees

medieval knievel · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 2:26 pm Post subject:

i'll keep an eye on it to make sure it does not bleed unduly. i used a narrow enough two inch screw, with about an inch actually penetrating.