The Life of a Tree Shelter

Tree shelters being fitted to newly planted trees.

Over the past few years, we've planted more than 50,000 trees across the Heathpatch estate, each one protected at the time of planting by a ‘tree shelter’.  These plastic sleeves, often called guards or tubes, shield young saplings from hungry wildlife and harsh weather, creating a microclimate that encourages healthy, early growth.  For many of our trees, these small tubes are the reason they've had the chance to take root and thrive.

The plantations receive regular visits to check on the health of the trees and ensure that the shelters are still in place.

But tree shelters aren’t meant to last forever.  Once the trees are strong enough to stand on their own, usually after 5 to 10 years, the shelters need to be carefully removed.  If left in place, they can start to restrict the growth of the young trees, and the plastic is in danger of becoming an environmental hazard.  That’s why when they’ve passed their usefulness to the tree, we gather up the guards to send them off for specialist recycling.

Members of the Hadleigh Environmental Action Team helping to remove and collect the tubes.

This work, and much of our tree care over the years, has been quietly overseen by our friend, Richard Adams, with help from a group of volunteers from Hadleigh Environmental Action Team.  Richard’s attention to detail and his care for the land have shaped not just our woodland, but the way we think about it.  We’re not just planting trees, we’re caring about them. 

All collected up ready to be delivered to the recycling centre.

The shelters themselves are made from polypropylene, a plastic that can be recycled and reused.  Once delivered to the recycling centre, they’re washed, shredded, and turned back into raw material.  From there, they’re used to create new tree shelters, closing the loop and giving a fresh start to the tubes in supporting the next generation of woodland.  Thank you to everyone involved in each stage.

Our tubes at the collection centre for recycling.

Every decision we make, from planting to recycling, is part of a bigger picture. We're not just helping the environment now, we're planting a legacy for the generations who will walk beneath their branches long after we're gone.

One of our older plantations looking very inviting.