On Thu, 11 May 2006 02:24:26 GMT, RoyJ wrote:
He wants the metal to stop the gophers when the tree is young but
disintigrate before the tree gets bound up by the metal.

I've always had more success, metal-wise, using lead with gophers.
About an ounce and an eighth, delivered with velocity. Makes 'em do
backflips.