River beavers-problems

[jims]

My ground is on a river. I have a number of cottonwood trees that are 2 to 4 feet in diameter and perhaps 80 or 90 feet tall. I am not a big cottonwood fan but they are kind of majestic in a way with their size. Unfortunately the river beavers have girdled nearly all of them. Some are already dead and some cannot be far behind.
I will talk to the neighbors that trap. Perhaps they can help but I think there is a low limit on them. Unsure about that.

Someone mentioned I should wrap the bases in a wire chicken wire to stop the gnawing. That would grow into the tree but better than die outright. They may fall in the river as most lean that way to get light but if they fall on my property it will be a chore to move/remove them. Any other ideas?

I did not mind when they cut small willows other than the sharp punji sticks they left behind if one would fall on or run a tire over.

[tar12]

You should be able to get a nuisance control permit to thin them out..call the DNR and inquire..

[jims]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[sourdough44]

We have a fair sized river flowing near the camp. The camp has a few ponds, with drainage pipes. It’s always been an ongoing process fighting the beavers, mainly plugging pipes. Fur isn’t worth much now, but the biggest push is usually trapping season when the fur is getting prime. I usually say though, no real season on a problem beaver.

Even if you do trap, the river will provide a highway for more beavers, so it’s ongoing control. For that reason I’d fence any trees still alive you want to keep.

[alexcray]

Jan 25, 2022 22:19:05 GMT -5 jims said:

My ground is on a river. I have a number of cottonwood trees that are 2 to 4 feet in diameter and perhaps 80 or 90 feet tall. I am not a big cottonwood fan but they are kind of majestic in a way with their size. Unfortunately the river beavers have girdled nearly all of them. Some are already dead and some cannot be far behind.
I will talk to the neighbors that trap. Perhaps they can help but I think there is a low limit on them. Unsure about that.

Someone mentioned I should wrap the bases in a wire chicken wire to stop the gnawing. That would grow into the tree but better than die outright. They may fall in the river as most lean that way to get light but if they fall on my property it will be a chore to move/remove them. Any other ideas?

I did not mind when they cut small willows other than the sharp punji sticks they left behind if one would fall on or run a tire over.


While your neighbors might have a low limit for trapping, it could still be worth discussing with them. Trapping by professionals might be an option, but remember it's a temporary solution as other beavers might move in.