We recommend using a spiral guard to protect your new hedge, especially those under the BN11 grant scheme. They not only protect from Vermin, but also make it easier to keep the plants clean from weeds, grass and competition from easy identification when spraying or weeding.

Biodegradable tree guards are what we think is the way forward in hedging & tree whip protection. They offer the same level of protection from vermin as the normal plastic ones.  They will withstand 4-5 years of UV degradation to ensure plants are strong and established enough to survive without this added protection.

The 2 biggest savings on these biodegradable guards are: 

• Biodegradable spiral guards are better for the environment, these will naturally 100% breakdown and not look unsightly in our British countryside. Not only are you protecting your plants, you are also protecting the planet.
• There is a massive labour saving with biodegradable guards. Unlike normal plastic spiral guards, these are made from materials that naturally break down over time, meaning they do not need to be removed once the plant is established. 

Whether you choose biodegradable or normal tree guards, they both do the same job of protecting your whips. Just please remove normal plastic guards after 4 years to keep our countryside looking tree-mendous. 

At Farlow Farm Nursery, we stock biodegradable spiral guards alongside our hedging and trees, making it easy for you to get everything you need for your planting projects in one place. 

If you’d like advice on choosing the right guards for your plants, or would like to place an order, please get in touch or visit us at the nursery.