chicken wire.. very loose ... it does not need to be snug ...

something like at the link ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I put a circle about 2' high of welded wire around mine in the yard as rabbit protection. It also keeps the cat away as it likes to scratch on my only large cedar elm (15' and growing). One free source of this wire is the silt fences at construction site when they are removing the silt fencing, as this is usually just thrown away at the end of the project.

It does not have to be free. I am going to look at home depot, I hope I find one I can bend myself. I am very weak in the hands and over all. I have to do something asap, or the tree is going to have no bark left. Plastic would be ok, if I can find a plastic tree guard.

if you cant bend chicken wire.. then you cant close a bread bag with a twist tie ...

dont forget cutters if you need them... strong scissors will nearly do chicken wire [but not your good pair] ... you will need heavy cutters for fencing ... relatively speaking ...

are you sure its cat ... and not some of the other nocturnal animals ... raccoon.. anything that climbs can also sharpen their claws .... though the remedy does not change ..

ken