diff --git a/trunks/nodes.lua b/trunks/nodes.lua
index 71a8f9f..a5c0243 100644
--- a/trunks/nodes.lua
+++ b/trunks/nodes.lua
@@ -44,13 +44,15 @@ for i in pairs(NoDe) do
 		liquids_pointable = true,
 		on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 			local pt = pointed_thing
-			local direction = minetest.dir_to_facedir(placer:get_look_dir())
-			if minetest.get_node(pt.above).name=="air" then
-				minetest.swap_node(pt.above, {name="trunks:twig_"..random(1,4), param2=direction})
-				if not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
-					itemstack:take_item()
+			if not minetest.is_protected(pt.above, placer:get_player_name()) then
+				local direction = minetest.dir_to_facedir(placer:get_look_dir())
+				if minetest.get_node(pt.above).name=="air" then
+					minetest.swap_node(pt.above, {name="trunks:twig_"..random(1,4), param2=direction})
+					if not minetest.setting_getbool("creative_mode") then
+						itemstack:take_item()
+					end
+					return itemstack
 				end
-				return itemstack
 			end
 		end,
 	})