Quick Summary
- Tree guards protect young seedlings from wind, frost, herbivores, and UV damage during the critical establishment phase — typically the first 1–3 years after planting.
- Plastic tree guard sleeves are the most popular choice for Australian revegetation — lightweight, UV-stabilised, and effective against wind, frost, and browsing animals.
- Sizing matters: Match the guard height and diameter to the species you are planting and the conditions on site.
- Tree guards are essential equipment for Landcare projects, council revegetation programs, farm shelter belts, and anyone planting native seedlings at scale.
- Pairing guards with bamboo stakes creates a stable, long-lasting protection system.
Why Tree Guards Matter for Australian Revegetation
Planting a native seedling is the easy part. Keeping it alive through its first Australian summer — that is where the real challenge lies.
Young seedlings face a gauntlet of threats in their first years: searing heat, desiccating winds, hungry rabbits and wallabies, accidental mowing or slashing, and frost in cooler regions. Without protection, survival rates on open revegetation sites can drop below 50%.
Plastic tree guards dramatically shift those odds. Studies by Greening Australia and various Landcare groups consistently report survival rates of 80–95% when guards are used, compared to 40–60% without them. For anyone investing time, money, and labour into revegetation, that difference is enormous.
How Tree Guards Work
Tree guard sleeves create a microclimate around each seedling. Inside the guard:
- Temperature is moderated. The guard traps warmth during cold nights (reducing frost damage) and provides light shade during the hottest part of the day.
- Wind speed drops dramatically. Even a gentle breeze can strip moisture from young leaves faster than roots can replace it. Inside the guard, wind speed is reduced by 60–80%.
- Humidity increases. The enclosed space traps transpired moisture, reducing water stress on the seedling.
- Herbivores are excluded. Rabbits, hares, and small wallabies cannot reach the seedling.
The combined effect is that seedlings inside guards grow faster, establish stronger root systems, and are far more likely to survive their first dry season.
Plastic Tree Guard Sleeves
Plastic tree guard sleeves are the go-to choice for most Australian revegetation work. They are simple, effective, and proven across millions of plantings.
Why Plastic Sleeves Work So Well
| Advantage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wind and frost protection | The solid sleeve blocks wind and traps warmth, creating a sheltered microclimate |
| Herbivore exclusion | Solid walls prevent rabbits, hares, and small wallabies from browsing |
| UV stabilised | Quality plastic sleeves last 3–5 years in full Australian sun |
| Lightweight | Easy to carry to remote planting sites in bulk |
| Affordable at scale | Low per-unit cost makes them practical for projects of hundreds or thousands of seedlings |
Considerations
- In very humid climates, moisture can build up inside the sleeve. Ensure the guard is open at the top to allow some ventilation.
- Seedlings may become "leggy" (tall and thin) if guards are left on too long, as the sheltered environment reduces the stimulus for strong stem development.
- Always remove guards once the seedling has established — leaving them on indefinitely can restrict trunk growth.
Guards with Stakes
For the most secure installation, use tree guards paired with bamboo stakes. The stakes anchor the guard firmly and prevent it from blowing over in strong winds. This is especially important on exposed sites — open paddocks, hilltops, and coastal plantings.
We offer guard and stake sets in both 60 cm and 75 cm stake lengths, with a choice of stake diameters (8–10 mm standard or 10–12 mm heavy-duty), in packs from 10 up to 100.
Sizing Guide
Choosing the right guard size is critical. A guard that is too small will be outgrown within months; one that is too large wastes material and money.
Height
| Guard Height | Suited To |
|---|---|
| 300 mm | Groundcovers, low grasses, very small shrubs |
| 450 mm | Small to medium shrubs, most understorey species |
| 600 mm | Medium shrubs, small trees in their first year |
| 900 mm | Most eucalyptus and acacia species, medium trees |
Our plastic tree guard sleeves are 350 mm wide x 450 mm high — the most versatile size for standard Australian revegetation with mixed native species.
Diameter
A guard diameter of 100–150 mm is standard for most tube stock seedlings. If you are planting larger pot sizes (e.g., 140 mm pots), consider using stakes set further apart to create a wider opening.
Installation Tips
Proper installation makes the difference between a guard that protects for years and one that blows away in the first storm.
What You Need
- Tree guard sleeves (one per seedling)
- Stakes — typically 2–3 per guard (bamboo is ideal)
- Cable ties, clips, or wire to secure the guard to stakes
- A mallet for firm ground
Step-by-Step Installation
- Plant the seedling first. Water it in thoroughly and allow it to settle.
- Drive stakes around the seedling, evenly spaced. Two stakes work for sheltered sites; three stakes are recommended for exposed or windy locations.
- Slide the guard over the stakes and down to ground level. Ensure the guard sits flush with the soil to prevent rabbits from squeezing underneath.
- Secure the guard to the stakes with cable ties at two points — one near the top and one near the base.
- Check stability. Give the guard a firm push from several directions. It should not lean or lift.
Common Installation Mistakes
- Guard not touching the ground: Leaves a gap for rabbits and allows wind to funnel under the guard, drying out the seedling.
- Only one stake: The guard will rotate and lean in wind, eventually pulling the seedling sideways.
- Forgetting to remove the guard: Once the seedling has grown above the guard and established a strong stem, remove the guard. Leaving it on indefinitely can girdle the trunk as it expands.
Bulk Buying for Landcare and Council Projects
Revegetation projects typically involve hundreds or thousands of seedlings, which means tree guards are one of the largest line items in the budget. Buying in bulk makes a significant difference to per-unit cost.
At Harwood's Garden Supplies, our plastic tree guard sleeves and tree guard sets with bamboo stakes are priced for project-scale quantities. Whether you are a Landcare coordinator planning a community planting day, a council managing roadside revegetation, or a farmer establishing a shelter belt, we can supply the quantities you need.
For very large orders, get in touch directly — we are happy to discuss pricing for projects of 1,000+ guards.
When to Remove Tree Guards
Timing the removal of tree guards is important. Remove too early and the seedling is vulnerable; too late and the guard can restrict growth.
General guidelines:
- Remove when the seedling has grown well above the top of the guard (at least 150–200 mm above).
- The stem should be firm and woody, not soft and green — this indicates it can withstand wind on its own.
- Aim to remove guards in autumn or early spring, avoiding the stress of a mid-summer removal.
- Check for signs of girdling — if the trunk is pressing against the guard walls, remove immediately regardless of season.
Recycling and Reuse
Quality plastic tree guards can be reused across multiple planting seasons:
- Remove guards from established seedlings.
- Brush off soil and debris.
- Inspect for cracks or UV degradation — discard any that are brittle or split.
- Store flat until the next planting season.
Well-maintained guards typically last 2–3 planting cycles, halving your per-seedling cost.
Planning a revegetation project? Browse our full tree guards collection, including guard sleeves and guard + bamboo stake sets, available in bulk with fast Australian shipping.