Tree planting continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing the industry. It is imperative that both newly planted and long-standing trees are well cared for, and, with that in mind, Forestry Journal takes a look across a range of products designed to do just that. 

TUBEX 

GIVEN the continuing industry debate surrounding biodegradable and plastic tree shelters, Tubex firmly believes that a circular tree protection solution still has a huge role to play in achieving the UK’s planting targets.

As a result, a significant focus for Tubex this year has been improving access to its tree shelter Collection & Recycling Programme, which has seen significant expansion with a growing number of collection hubs opening across the UK.

Due to the lack of long-term testing and knowledge around biodegradable products, many grant schemes such as the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) still require that both plastic and biodegradable tree shelters are removed at the end of use – a point often overlooked in the industry.
 
Tubex Recyclable Range – More Recyclable Than Ever
Tubex’s proven and circular range of recyclable tree shelters remains the lowest-impact shelter solution when collected and recycled at end of use.

The only shelters in the market manufactured with 35-per-cent recycled material and fully recyclable at end of life, Tubex’s recyclable range ensures maximum protection for the full establishment period of a sapling and is backed by extensive production capacity to meet the needs of any planting project, no matter the size.

Available in heights from 0.6 m to 1.8 m to protect against a variety of browsing animals, Tubex’s Recyclable range also includes shrub shelters, a wider diameter for shrubby plants, and Easywraps, an expandable wrap that’s easier to install and recycle than spirals, and more cost-effective.

Recycling is now more accessible through Tubex’s growing network of over 20 free-to-use collection hubs located across the UK – alongside its existing doorstep collection service available at £39 per dumpy sack.

Tubex Nature Biodegradable Shelters – New Styles
For planting projects where collection and recycling isn’t feasible, Tubex’s recently improved biodegradable range combines tested biodegradability on and in soil with scale of manufacture.

As the most in-field-tested biodegradable shelter since it launched in 2021, Tubex Nature is now introducing an improved composition for the 2024–25 season that increases its lifetime to five years without compromising biodegradability, an increased durability around the shelter zip-tie points and a softer flared rim to reduce chances of stem abrasion, based on in-field learnings and continued independent research with Wageningen University.

Tubex Nature is manufactured using a bio-based blend made from starch, plant and vegetable sources, and is also tested against ISO 17556 for in-soil biodegradability.

Tubex’s Nature range has also expanded with new shelter styles, now available in Easywrap, shrub shelter and vole guard formats.

Long-term independent research in biodegradability continues to be a priority for Tubex and this research remains at the core of its biodegradable product development.

For more information on Tubex’s range of products:  www.tubex.com/products/

VIGILIS TREE SHELTERS 

VIGILIS Tree Shelters is a leading manufacturer and global supplier of tree-protection products, with manufacturing and sales operations in the UK, Portugal and the USA. The Vigilis team is committed to the long-term development of plastic-free and soil-biodegradable tree shelters for forestry, vine and hedge planting. 

Why choose Vigilis?
Whether you’re managing large-scale reforestation projects or maintaining urban green spaces, its products are engineered to meet your needs. Join the long list of foresters, councils, charities, and government bodies that use Vigilis as their tree-protection supplier of choice. 

Products
Vigilis-Bio: Fully soil-biodegradable, plastic-free tree protection.

Vigilis-Bio tree shelters, hedge wraps, vole guards, vine guards and shrub shelters are made from derivatives of bio-based materials (potatoes, wood and corn). The cellulose structure of these materials is used to create a bio-based polymer. 

They are designed to protect for five to six years in varied environments. After this initial six-year period, the structural integrity of the tube starts to weaken and the material will then begin to fracture and fall onto the forest floor over an additional period of two to three years. Upon contact with the leaf litter and soil, microbes will begin to ‘eat’ the fragments of Vigilis Bio tree shelters. All that remains after biodegradation is water and minerals. 

No micro-plastics or toxic residues. No collection needed. Our bio products are tested to ISO 17556 for soil biodegradability and are non-toxic to the soil.
 
Performance in field trials of Bio Shelters
Thousands of Vigilis-Bio tree shelters have been in the ground for over 3.5 years and are performing in line with our lab tests. The shelters have maintained structural integrity, providing crucial protection during the tree-establishment phase. 

What’s new? Wraps and the VentAir designVigilis Wraps were launched towards the end of last season and they are proving popular. Vigilis Wraps are designed to provide comprehensive protection for your hedge plants and whips. 

  • The sturdy twin-wall structure effectively deters deer, rabbits and other herbivores from browsing.
  • The vertical slit design of Vigilis Wraps makes them flexible and easy to install, allowing for efficient planting and maintenance processes.
  • The wrap can expand as the hedge grows, preventing strangulation and encouraging a uniform and dense hedge.
  • Made from high-quality materials, Vigilis Wraps are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and provide long-lasting protection.
  • The wraps create a favourable microclimate around the whips, providing insulation from extreme temperatures, wind, and excessive sunlight.
  • Available in four heights: 20 cm, 45 cm, 60 cm, 75 cm. 
  • Vigilis also has a new vented tree shelter design, Vigilis VentAir. This provides enhanced ventilation for improved air circulation and increased light transmission. 

Recyclable Tree Shelters and Hedge Wraps
For those requiring traditional tree guards, Vigilis offers high-quality, long-lasting, recyclable tree shelters and hedge wraps. It also offers a Protect, Collect, Recycle scheme where, once your trees no longer need protection, you can bag up your used shelters for recycling.

sales@vigilistreeshelters.com  |  www.vigilistreeshelters.com
Call: 01371 512 981

RAINBOW 

THE Rainbow Terra is being heralded as the first and only tree shelter that biodegrades in any type of environment: soil, freshwater, or ocean. It is externally tested and proven that the Rainbow Terra will biodegrade and leave no waste or harm to these environments. The Rainbow Terra is certified soil biodegradable by the renowned independent TUV organisation – truly making it the clean-conscience option.

The revolutionary new Rainbow Terra shelter has been developed to provide a 100 per cent biodegradable tree shelter to the landscape and forestry industries. It is manufactured from 100 per cent wood- and plant-based materials grown within the UK. The Rainbow Terra tree shelter biodegrades naturally in soil over five years, into healthy nutrients that will not harm the soil, freshwater systems, or oceans.

The Terra shelter is borne out of extensive research into the biodegradation release rates of plant materials and FSC/PEFC-certified pine and spruce grown sustainably in the UK. Combining UK-sourced wood with a plant-based resin created the base composition for the Rainbow Terra.

Available in heights of 60 cm up to 120 cm with a diameter between 75 and 100 mm, the Rainbow Terra comes with multiple pre-fitted cable-tie options and is a robust, single-wall construction to withstand the elements. With an average lifespan of five years, it has a shaped rim to minimise stem abrasion and a natural look and feel to complement the surrounding environment, which also enables excellent light transmission.

www.rainbow.eu.com

GREEN GRID 

SOIL compaction is a common cause of root dieback and ultimately the decline of the tree. It is the first few passes of heavy plant that cause the damage. The RootBridge system has been developed in response to this. It is a steel bridge that is supported on a base of screw piles to support the load above the roots and root area. The piles take the load below the root plate and ensure that there is no soil compaction around the fine roots. The steel structure is 80-per-cent void, which allows maximum flow of water through the RootBridge and minimises its intrusion on the rooting area.

The roots of a tree play a huge part in the health and natural function of a tree. Trees need food, water, and nutrients to survive. They make their food through photosynthesis and this process is dependent on the water absorbed by the roots. Cutting roots or restricting their space will limit this.

Roots also need oxygen to grow. Soil pores hold air and water. If the soil is dense and compacted, there won’t be enough oxygen for the roots. Too much water in the soil also limits oxygen intake.

Well-drained soil with enough oxygen and water is best for root growth. The depth the oxygen reaches depends on a number of factors but the highest amounts are found in the top 300 mm of soil. Roots grow horizontally from the base of the tree, buttress roots near the trunk stabilize the tree and woody lateral roots spread out and taper down to the ephemeral roots that soak up water, oxygen and nutrients. These roots grow where conditions are suitable and die back if resources are not available.

WANT MORE LIKE THIS? 

The RootBridge system offers a permanent solution to creating a low-impact roadway within the root-protection area of existing trees. RootBridge variants range from pedestrian loading up to full highway specification, and we are often involved from planning stage to ensure suitable access can be created into new sites.

www.greengridsystems.com

NEXGEN 

WHEN Gary Hurlstone first set up NexGen, he aimed to produce a plastic-free, commercially available tree shelter that would protect young plants without harming the environment. After years of research and design, that vision aim is now a reality. NexGen’s range of tree shelters, hedging and vole guards:

  • are made from more than 60-per-cent British wool
  • break down through a combination of biodegradable (fungal, algae, mosses and other soil organisms) and environmental degradation (UV, rain, ice and wind) to feed the soil and support the ecosystem
  • let in the right level and spectrum of light to promote healthy plants and strong, balanced growth as well as controlling overheating due to climate change
  • can be easily pushed into the soil, sealing off the base to protect against grazing animals and harmful herbicide sprays
  • have passed industry-standard ecotoxicity tests
  • are pH neutral so as they break down they don’t affect the soil conditions
  • are pollution-free guaranteed
  • do not need to be collected and recycled.

Five-year useful lifetime warranty
NexGen’s British wool-based tree shelters have been in field trials nationwide since late 2020.

The most recent results continue to deliver, with reports showing the shelters can well withstand the highs and lows of the British weather. NexGen’s confidence in their products’ performance means they are delighted to offer a five-year useful lifetime warranty across their entire range.

Creating a nourishing, rich biodiversity
As NexGen’s tree shelters degrade, rather than harm the ecosystem around the young plants, they feed it. The shelters also provide a natural habitat for mosses and lichens, which colonise the surface of the tree shelters to create and support a rich biodiversity.

What might not be so apparent to the casual observer is the fungal growth that forms on the base of NexGen’s tree shelters. The fungi form where the shelters have been pushed into the soil to stop voles and herbicides from attacking the young trees.

The degradation process also changes the colour of the shelters. This natural colour palette blends beautifully into the surrounding countryside – not surprisingly when the main base material is sheep’s wool and when compared with plastic or bio-plastic tree shelters.

Support for British industry and the environment
Keen to make sure that no part of the shelter contaminates the land with plastic, NexGen has move away from plastic cable ties. Its bespoke, British mild steel design is fully biodegradable and easy to use and reuse. Although they start to rust when exposed to the elements, the metal ties last more than five years and biodegrade without causing environmental harm. And, in line with the company’s commitment to protecting the environment, all NexGen’s packaging can be recycled or composted. 

Available from autumn 2024
The NexGen range is manufactured in the UK and is available to buy this autumn from well-known industry distributors. Find out more at www.nexgen-ts.com.