As mentioned above, I quit having mice issues by spraying around each tree. No competing vegetation for the tree and I’m assuming no cover for mice.

Just took the first of my tubes off. I wouldn’t plant a tree without them from my experience over the last 4 years. Running around a 96% rate on survival so far.

I should probably do this. Perhaps I've been afraid the spray might kill the tree I guess.

I've also thought about spraying some spots in the fall where I plan on planting trees in the spring.

We used black corrugated drain tile on our new skinny trees. We cut lengths of that to what we needed for each tree then slit the tube lengthwise and slipped it on. The tube maintains its round shape well but as the tree grows it easily sheds the plastic tile tubes over time too.
We had great luck with those.
Kept the rabbits from chewing the bark as the snow deepened, and kept the bucks from using the new trees as rubbing posts.
Jim

We did same thing with them for the new trees we planted at our old house.
Like this…