Galvanized U-shaped nails for securing wire, polypropylene fencing, and metal mesh fencing to trees. 1 pound of U-nails 1.75-inch (about 50) U-nails.
Rather that pounding the U-nail all the way in, leave some space so that the tree will have room to grow without damaging the fencing.
U-nails can be used for a wide variety of tasks. In general, they are used when one wants to attach wire, fencing, small posts, or other objects to trees or thick pieces of wood.
The ones offered here are long enough to go through tree bark, get a good purchase on the wood beneath, and still leave enough space above the bark to avoid damage to the attached wire, fencing, or other gear as the tree grows into the space in the nail’s “U”. Therefore, we recommend these nails for attaching fencing and wire to trees being used as posts.
For attaching 7-foot deer fencing, use about 5 U-nails 1.75 inch per tree, more if going around a corner. In general, trees used for this purpose should be in good health, should have a trunk diameter of at least 6 inches at a height of 7 feet, and should have no branches (or only branches you are willing to remove) on the side of the three where the fence will go (on the side of the tree facing toward the deer).
In setting up a run of wire (usually along the top of the fence before the fencing is installed) proceed as follows: Start by anchoring the wire to the first post or tree in the run. If this is a wooden post or tree, do not go around it. Instead, nail in three U-nails on one side of the post or tree. Run the wire through those nails so that it comes back on itself, and terminate the wire by twisting it around itself or with a U-bolt clamp, depending on the sort of wire being used.
Then unroll the wire down the fence line, attaching it to your selected trees at the right height with single U-nails. When you come to the post or tree at the end of your run of wire, cut the wire and repeat the procedure used at the first anchor post. Tighten the run of wire before you terminate it, leaving enough slack to deal with the slight movement of tree trunks in high wind.
