I use old aluminum blinds and a basic graphite pencil on tomato labels and they don’t fade. Have to try it for trees too!
A quick affirmation- @TNHunter has found a tag that works for trees, and also for the squirrel/raccoon/varmint traps that many of us use around our property (trap tags are required in most states). I just bought one online. Thank you!
This is my new guy.
Interesting that you can feed these labels thru a Cuddlebug or Sizzix to emboss them… i dont have the time or will to do it myself… but interesting.
Much cheaper on Amazon if you have Prime which i gave up.
Any recommendations for a stronger wire? The little wires repeatedly break for me.
I have purchased a spool of aluminum electric fence wire… Probably 15 or 16 guage. No galvanic reaction with the Embosso/Impresso tags or pieces of aluminum venetian blind.
This is so cool, I’m buying one!
@ramv … i have a roll of 12-2 romex electrical wire… in the garage… I used the bare copper wire from that.
TNHunter
To punch the hole in my tag… I use this nail set tool. I have had that thing since the early 90s.
Lay the tag on a scrap 2x4 and that nail set tool will punch a nice clean hole with one tap of a hammer.
TNHunter
I write with old pens that don’t have ink anymore. Free. I also pick up pop/beer cans riding on my bike through town. Also free. I engrave by putting old newspaper down under it, so it engraves really well. I also use the hole puncher-50 cents at a yard sale. I haven’t cut myself in 20 years. I get about 30 tags out of one pop can. I don’t have to buy anything or store anything. Super easy.
John S
PDX OR
I use color electrical tape with each color as a code for a certain variety. Until i can make something longer lasting at the time of grafting.
I used to use the soda/beer can tags but I’ve found that aluminum alloy corrodes if it comes into contact with our irrigation water or soil and is very hard to read.
I’ve had really good results with 15mm copper pipe. I had lots of short off cuts after doing some plumbing. I use a lump hammer to beat them flat then use a punch set to engrave the letters. I fill the impression with white enamel paint and wipe over. They look smart and will last longer than the tree, but they do take a while to make. I’ve only made them for my best garden trees.
The main problem so far that I have had with soda can aluminum tags: Rabbits (I assume) chew on any that are within a foot of the ground on small trees, making so many creases that the original writing is no longer readable. Some tags are actually chewed or torn off. Tags on larger trees higher up are undamaged.
Good info. I haven’t seen that yet at all here.
I ordered one as well. Is that stainless tape you have there in the picture?
Yes. It works very well.