There’s a better way to protect young trees from mower and string-trimmer damage, thanks to the inventive prowess of an Ontario environmental group.
Toni Ellis with the Elora Environmental Centre said her organization, with a few slices of an ‘X-ACTO knife,’ is repurposing biodegradable, compost containers to make their Tree Guard product.
They’re currently selling for $3 each as a fundraiser for the organization. Ellis hopes prices can
Not only does the Tree Guard protect young trees from mower and weed-whipper damage, the system keeps mulch away from the base of trees preventing tree volcanos and the material used in their construction decomposes within a year or two.
be reduced with higher volume sales and streamlined production.
“We sort of invented them,” Ellis said.
“It started because we have been planting lots of trees over the years and we were frustrated with the number of small trees being damaged. They provide a physical barrier and they’re also a visual cue.”
Ellis brought samples that were used as table favours at the Ontario Urban Forest Council meeting in Markham on November 2.
They’re made from the compostable section from the Greenlid product being marketed by the Toronto company, Autom River Inc. The sections will stand up to water but will eventually break down when bacteria are also present.
Rather than being used to hold household organic waste, however, the guards have been modified to protect young trees. Ellis said they should serve that purpose for about a year before safely being degraded.
That’s an advantage over plastic guards which need to be removed. In addition, plastic tree guards can present a problem in themselves, creating a high humidity zone around the base of trees which can promote disease leading to trunk damage.
The breathable Tree Guard in comparison, simply goes away after serving its intended purpose.
Ellis said the Tree Guard is also useful when used in combination with mulch. It helps prevent tree volcanos — mulch that’s mounded up against base of trees. By placing the tree guards first and mulching afterward, the problem is avoided.
Tree Guards began to be sold by the Elora Environmental Centre as a pilot project in the summer of 2018. Sales are expected to continue this year.
Ellis hopes sales can be made to other organizations with an interest in trees and the environment such as Ontario’s horticultural societies.
Tree Guards can also be decorated which opens up the possibility of having school children involved in tree planting projects, perhaps using crayons to decorate the guards before they’re placed around young trees in a school yard.
The Elora Environmental Centre was founded in 1993. The not-for-profit organization has a board of directors and a mandate to build environmentally-sustainable communities with a focus on trees, water and climate.
To learn more about the organization and Tree Guards, visit the website.
— Jeffrey Carter