Which tree protector will you choose for your plants?

One of the main items for many gardeners to consider is ensuring there is a tree protector placed around all new plants and seedlings.

There can be many reasons to need a tree trunk protector, more so when the plants are young and quite small. In my own case young plants need protection from frost, rabbits, dogs and the lawnmower.

All new seedlings and plants need to be protected straight away as we have experienced very early and very late severe frosts here. I favour the frosted plastic tree guard for the plants in the house garden. I have also heard of some people using aluminised building paper for plant guards That would be an interesting option for the frost areas I think.

Rabbits can also be a problem for me here so when I plant outside the house garden I manage tree protection with the commercial

tree trunk protector.

When there are a lot of trees to be planted the local Landcare reforestation groups here use recycled milk cartons as tree protectors. I must say that it really is an interesting sight to see thousands of milk cartons trailing up over hills, along creek beds and beside landfall areas.

Some people use chicken wire as a tree trunk protector, that is great for a more secure and longer term tree guard.

I was fortunate enough to have quite a few metal plant guards left here by the previous owners so I have used them with great success for tomatoes over the summer months.

Some people use plastic strips as a plant protector, they circle the plastic strips around the wooden stakes which allows quite a bit of light and air to circulate that way.

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