Wire mesh makes great protection for trees and small shrubs if you have a problem with jack-rabbits or other larger pests. I use wire mesh tubes on all my newly planted trees and shrubs to protect them until they have a more durable, less tasty bark that the animals will leave alone.

The 2 inch square type of wire mesh that's about 4 feet high is really versatile and will go a long way in your gardening efforts. I keep a little bit handy so I'm always prepared to protect my plants and trees from the nasty jack-rabbits that are around our property.

The wire is a little bit expensive but you'll know it's worth it the first time you see the bark chewed off around the bottom of your new favorite recently planted tree.

Roll out enough wire to go all the way around your tree or plant and cut your piece off the roll. Cut the wire right at the center of the square so you'll have a bit of wire sticking out when you want to make your wire mesh into a tube.

Lay it out on the ground so that it looks like an arch and then step all over it to relieve some of the memory of the shape it had while it was still on the roll. As you get more to the center of the roll this becomes a lot harder - it's probably best to have someone help you with this part.

Once you have your wire mesh reasonably flat pick it up and re-roll it into a circle. Overlap the edge by one square and use a pair of needle-nose pliers to wrap one wire over another.

Sometimes the wire is a bit brittle and will break - just make less tight bends and it should stop breaking on you.

Once you have your wire mesh tube you can drop it over your small tree - hopefully your tree will grow big enough that you'll en up having to cut the tube to remove it later on.