BioSpiral tree guards are an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective solution, fast and easy to install on trees, vines and hedging.
Protecting newly planted trees, hedging and vines is essential to support them through their first few years of growth. Enabling them to establish themselves in their new environment against a range of threats from grazing, weather and damage from both chemical treatments or mechanical damage. Using tree guards around the plants for the first few years protects the significant investment which has already gone into the planting.
Advantages of using BioSpiral tree guards:
- Protect the young plants from grazing
- Support the plant to grow straight
- Provide shelter from all aspects of the weather
- Protect the small plant from accidental mechanical damage
- Shield the plant from drift or inaccurately applied chemical treatments
Using tree guards to protect young plants offers the financial benefit of improving plant establishment with less loss due to herbivore predation. Historically, petroleum has been used to manufacture plastic-based low-cost spiral tree guards. As technology advances, and the search for more sustainable alternatives to petro-plastic expands, BioSpirals are one such example of where a product has been created with the same lifetime functionality of a traditional plastic version, only it has been made from a plant. Being made from plant material results in BioSpirals having a significantly improved environmental profile both in the manufacturing process and post-life disposal.
Advantages of BioSpiral tree guards compared to plastic:
- Manufactured from plant material not fossil fuel gives a more environmentally sustainable origin
- No environmental plastic contamination after use, with BioSpirals biodegrading
- Labour saving removing the need to remove spirals once plants are established
- - Olive green colour of BioSpirals blends them into the landscape without the appearance of shiny plastic
The matt olive green colour of the BioSpiral means they subtly blend into the environment. With aesthetics being increasingly important when tree guards are used in forestry, amenity or vineyards where tourism is also a consideration. The early years of growth after planting do not have to be a landscape covered in highly visible shiny plastic.
Disadvantages of using BioSpiral tree guards compared to plastic:
- Initial purchase cost
To purchase BioSpirals may require more capital from a planting projects budget, with the newer PLA technology being more expensive than standard petrochemical plastic, for example PVC. However the cost of the product should also consider other costs associated with whether to budget for BioSprials or plastic tree guards. Plastic tree guards require labour costs to remove the spiral tree protectors after the tree, hedging or vines have established and outgrown them. They then need to be disposed of, if they have been kept clean enough they may be recyclable otherwise there will be costs with either landfill or incineration. When their post-use costs are added to the initial purchase cost the price differentiation between plastic spirals and BioSpirals disappears. This financial analysis does not even consider the environmental cost of the decision.
With a desire to use more environmentally friendly and sustainable tree guards, a number of different models have been developed using a range of biodegradable materials. The suitability of a material to the UK climate however needs to be considered, primarily with our high rainfall levels. The PLA material used in BioSpirals offers the same water repellent characteristic as petro-plastic. The ability to withstand rainfall and maintain structural integrity and function makes BioSpirals well suited to planting projects in the UK. BioSpirals offer longevity for the time needed for the tree, vine or hedging to establish.
Key features of BioSpiral tree guards:
- Spiral structure expands as the plant grows to prevent strangling stem or side shoots.
- Aesthetically pleasing matt olive green colour allows the BioSprials to blend into the environment.
- Low light transmission protects young plants against bright light scorch.
- The majority of light entering the BioSpiral from above encourages vertical plant growth.
- Regularly added airflow holes reduce humidity so managing disease risk.
- Increased air movement from regularly positioned airflow holes prevent temperature buildup and risk of scorch with high summer temperatures whilst also preventing trapped stagnant cold air in winter which can increase frost risk.
For large planting projects, using tree guards to protect newly planted trees, vines or hedging can be a cost saving offering lower establishment costs by reducing the need to replant lost plants. BioSprials offer a further advantage over petro-plastic tree guards with their biodegradability meaning there is no need for labour to remove the spirals at the end of their life, they can be left in the environment to biodegrade. Using spiral tree guards can also add value to a planting project with a more successful establishment rate needing lower initial planting rate reducing both material and labour costs.
Best practice for using BioSprial tree guards:
- Transplant the plant into the soil, ensuring it is standing straight. BioSpirals are suitable for use with both bare root and cell-grown plants.
- Place a cane 2cm from the transplant. If wind is commonly from one direction place the cane upwind (direction the wind comes from).
- Starting at the bottom of the transplant, wind the BioSpiral around the cane and stem. Both the stem and cane should be on the inside of the BioSpiral.
- At the end of its life remove the BioSpiral and dispose of in an industrial composting unit.
Summary
Available in two heights (60 or 75 cm) the BioSprial tree guards offer protection for young delicate plants. BioSpirals are made from 100% biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) polymers derived from plants. Lasting at least three years positioned around a plant, if not removed they will then gradually break down due to microbial activity, eventually turning into carbon dioxide and water. Alternatively they can be removed once they have done their job of protecting the young plant and disposed of within an industrial composter to decompose more quickly. BioSpirals offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional PVC (petro-plastic) spiral tree guards.
BioSprials are part of Andermatts growing petro-plastic free product portfolio. Along with other petro-plastic free products such as BioTie (product page on andermattuk.com), BioFleece and InsectoNet. Products made from petro-plastics help farmers to grow our food. Products made from it make farming more efficient, can reduce the amount of other inputs required, and extend the growing seasons in which food is produced. Advancing science now allows us to manufacture products with the same desirable characteristics; frost protection, insect netting or mould resistant ties but in a more sustainable way.
FAQs
Why use tree guards when planting trees and vines?
Establishment rate of new plantings can be reduced as a result of feeding from herbivores on young plants. Herbivores such as rabbits, deer and hares will feed on leave young branches and bark of young plants killing them.
How long do BioSpiral tree guards last?
BioSprial tree guards will last at least three years once wrapped around a tree or vine.
Being made from plant material, will BioSpirals dissolve when it rains?
No. BioSpirals require microbial activity, heat and moisture to degrade.
Can you tell BioSprials are made from plant material?
No. We suspect if you touched a BioSprial and were not told it was made from corn starch you would assume it was a normal plastic tree guard. Looks like plastic, feels like plastic, works like plastic, made from plants.
What is PLA?
PLA stands for polylactic acid, a naturally occurring compound which can be made from plant starch. In terms of the PLA used to made BioSprials, it is a long chain polymer derived from plant material which has some properties similar to long hydrocarbon chains in plastic made from fossil fuels. It is these similar properties which allow us to make products which have some characteristics similar to products made from petro-chemicals.
What is the difference between the 60 and 75cm BioSpiral?
Length. One BioSpiral is 60 cm long, the other 75 cm. They have the same internal diameter.
How do I choose between 60 or 75cm BioSpiral?
The best suited BioSpiral height will depend on your project. A combination of the size and type of the plant you are wanting to protect, and the size of the herbivore you are wanting to prevent feeding on it.
Are BioSpirals suitable for use with both bare root and cell grown plants?
Yes. BioSpirals are suitable for use with any method the transplanted plant has been grown with. Bare root, small or large plugs.
What happens to the BioSpiral as the plant grows?
The BioSpiral is designed to expand as the tree, vine or hedging grows. The widening stem or increasing number of side shoots will unravel the spiral and shoots will be able to grow between the spiral twists.
What types of damage to plants can using BioSprials protect against?
1. Animal browsing
Feeding from herbivore animals such as deer, rabbits, hares and voles can damage young plants. This can lead to significantly slower growth and establishment or plant death. Animals such as deer, rabbits, hares and voles will feed on both plant leaves and the bark.
2. Mechanical damage
Where machinery is used around new plantings, such as grass strimming to reduce plant competition, a BioSpiral will protect the stem of the plant from accidental damage.
3. Chemical damage
Where chemicals are applied to ground around new plantings, the BioSprial will act as a physical barrier against accidental contact with the plant for example splash or drift.
4. Weather damage
From physical support against wind, to shelter against scorch from bright direct sunlight.