When I started caging trees I would fasten the cage “ VERY “ well with many fasteners ( wire, etc).
Then I realized it took to long to get in the cage to do maintenance. Pulling weeds ,pruning , etc.
As a result , many lacked the maintenance desired .
Then I started using a single rebar stake on the up wind side,
Of a cage made from 2x4 in.Welded wire 6ft. Tall.
Weaving the stake though the holes in the fencing, at 3 places,
Bottom, middle , and top.bending the wire fencing slightly to make it easy. And only fastening the cage into a circle at 3 places from the wire that is left over from cutting the cage bent to form a hook.
So now . I can simply lift the cage up , sliding it up the stake, to do weeding , cut root suckers , etc.
Or unfasten the three hooks to have access the the upper part.
So quick - easy, compared to zip ties , twisted wire fasteners ,etc.
@poncirusguy, While your handcuff suggestion may work for play in the bedroom, it’s pretty near useless for deer damage prevention. I just find it way too difficult to get the cuffs on/off a rambunctious deer.
I call it mason’s wire. Simple iron wire that after a while in the ground will rust away. Inexpensive, available where masonry stuff is sold or Amazon. Twist it tight, cut it off, replace.
I mostly use re-useable zip ties now. And I try to keep some out in the orchard because there are lots of uses for them. I just loop them on the top cattle panel wire on one of the cages, and when I need one, look around for them.
I also use cheap aluminum carabiners for panel to panel, or welded wire to hold shut at the seams. so I can use them as gates or entry points for the square enclosures.
I’ve also been known to use stainless safety wire or even left over insulated wires 12 or 14 gauge for places I don’t want to be permanent.
@Bigmike1116 It looks like you are using heavier and wider gauge hardware cloth than I am, so for you this might not work, but I have variously used twine, clothespins, and binder clips.
(For context, I am caging the bottom 18" of espaliered apple and pear trees to protect against winter rodent damage, not caging whole trees to guard against deer.)
I get re-useable zip ties as a filler item from Temu and maybe Aliexpress.
The re-useable ones aren’t as strong, but for the application you’re talking about strength isn’t an issue.
I use zip ties for all of my welded wire and cattle panel fencing cages and enclosures now. I used to think it was a temporary solution when I didn’t have time or energy to use the steel clips, but have found they last for years and I don’t bother with the metal ones anymore
I use used drip tape. It is wide enough to secure my tomato cages to the post. Of course with hardware cloth, you would have to make a larger hole in the cage.
I am supposed to replace the zip ties that were put up for initial construction with wire ties I make out of small gauge galvanized wire. I still would use plastic zip ties for the door opening. But I don’t always get around to replacing them. The tree protectors will be up for many years until the tree is too high for deer to destroy. The plastic zip ties break and fall off after a couple or three years. Never really measured the time…but they are temporary. But I have no issue cutting the temporary ties when I need access and replace the 2 ties holding the door closed. I never take the cage off, I only open the swing door access.
If you take the tip of the cable tie and insert it were it went through the locking mechanism,you can usually just pull them right through and use them repeatedly.
Take one,sit down in your chair,mess with it a little while and bingo.
Almost all cable ties come undone like this,there’s even an insert tool made of aluminum for smooth disconnection.
