TE6: Tree guard (tube and mesh)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the tree guard (tube and mesh) item.

This item is part of Capital Grants 2024. You must read the Capital Grants 2024 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£3.95 per guard

Where you can use this item

You can use this item on trees on a land parcel if you’re already using the land parcel for:

You can also use this item when planting in-field agroforestry trees.

Where you cannot use this item

You cannot use this item with:

How this item benefits the environment

This item protects trees from damage caused by grazing animals and wild animals.

What you must do to use this item

You must:

  • erect tree guards at least 1.5m high which are made of a tree tube and stake
  • use chicken wire to prevent animals from grazing or rubbing against the tree (barbed wire can be fastened around the chicken wire to provide extra protection)
  • design tree guards to allow access for formative pruning, applying mulch and clearing vegetation around the base of each tree

You must not:

  • fasten guards to the tree
  • attach guards so they rub against, constrict or damage the tree in any way

Evidence you must keep 

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of existing trees to be protected

Please see the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants, and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

Other items and actions you can use with this item

Capital items

You can use this item with:

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 5 August 2024 + show all updates
  1. TBC

  2. Updates made to 'Where to use this item' section.

  3. Updated for 2017 applications.

  4. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  5. First published.