Field Labeling

19 years ago

OK, bringing an old subject back.

The few that I have in pots are temporary and not a problem.

My future plantings will be in raised 80' rows 8-10' apart, and I plan to create a map indicating the variety of each planting. However, I would like to label each tree so that it is apparent when I'm working there, picking figs, etc.

I found an old 1/2" letter stamp set (for stamping letter impressions into steel or other metals) that I inherited and had forgotten about while rummaging in my shop, and that started me thinking... A similar stamping set can be seen at the link below. Northern Tools has a much cheaper set but it is smaller, 3/16" I believe.

I made a trip to my friend's welding and fabrication shop and found some small scraps of aluminum plate, about 3/16" thick. Brought these scraps back to my shop and cut them to about 2"x5" size, some larger, and started stamping the fig varieties name on the aluminum tags. Then I drilled two holes in each tag for mounting on a wooden post. Had some 1X2 cypress scraps in the shop that were perfect for the posts, so I cut some up and mounted the tags with screws. Took my hammer and drove them into the ground near each fig tree, well into the mulch area so they won't be in the way for mowing.

I figure the posts should last for years, and if they need replacement I can just swap the tag with new screws.

The inscription will never fade, but it is more difficult to read than one with paint or dark ink.

There weren't really enough aluminum plate scraps to set me up for long, so I also picked up some scraps of galvanized steel sheet that's probably about 20guage in thickness. This will be easy to cut with sheet-metal snips but probably won't look as nice as the aluminum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Letter stamping set for marking steel, etc.

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Comments (7)

pitangadiego
19 years ago
Make a map, and photocopy it. Take a copy with you when you are in the orchard. When it gets ragged, make a new copy. When they fruit, take your map with you on tasting trips you will find that it doesn't take long before you know every tree by name and don't need the map.
gorgi
19 years ago
Use GPS!
Just joking...
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gene_washdc
19 years ago
Jon,
I do pretty much what you suggest, but it's a bit annoying to pull the map out each time, not to mention that I usually am dragging around various other tools/etc at the same time. I know a few by heart, but since I don't live next to my orchard, I don't see it enough to get it down pat. I'm all for labels.
User
Original Author
19 years ago
The number of trees that I have, much less the number of different varieties, isn't nearly what several of you guys have and seem to be adding to constantly.
I try to maintain a map that includes all of our plantings on my computer as well as printed copies. I also intend to mark each fig tree in the field to preclude confusion should my maps somehow be lost. My memory seems certain to be questionable at times. Marking of other specimen trees or ornamentals isn't really necessary, as differences in most plant varieties are more readily apparent than some of the figs seem to be.
antonv
19 years ago
i use these on everything!

http://www.orchardvalleysupply.com/ovsstore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=18&idproduct=125

they might be too small for what you seem to want to accomplish.

this is a great company to deal with!

ciao,
Anton
gorgi
19 years ago
Maybe one should see
Plant Labels - Tree Tags
for some more ideas...
http://www.nationalband.com
George (NJ).

Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Labels - Tree Tags
User
Original Author
19 years ago
I am fortunate in that I have this set of stamps for lettering the tags and I have a source in my friends fabrication shop for aluminum scrap plate to make the tags. It works well for me, and my intention with the post was to encourage readers to look at what they might have available and also suggest this method. With the 1/2" stamps I can readily read the tags when walking by, but if it was done in smaller text it would be just as legible with a closer look in 10 years. Whatever a seller may claim, I don't have much faith in ink or paint holding up over much time in our sun, and will be much more confident in the information on the tags than what my memory might recall.