TUBEX TREE SHELTERS

Tubex Ltd. the UK manufacturer of tree shelters and plant care products, appointed Kestrel Forestry Consultants the County Wexford based consultancy firm as their new stockist in Ireland in 2004.

Tubex are the world's leading producer of tree shelters and the best known brand in the tree shelters business. They export to over 25 countries including the USA and Canada.

Kestrel previously held the Irish agency for Arbeta, however with the merger of Arbeta and Tubex in 2003, all production and marketing was concentrated at the Tubex HQ in Aberdare, South Wales.

Since 2004 sales of Tubex products have increased by over 500% following intensive promotion and increasing acceptance of the product by the forest industry and the Forest Service.   In 2012 Tubex acquired the Acorn tree shelter brand which specialised in mesh type gurads.  The full range of Acorn tree guards and shelter guards including rolls of both products are available as an alternative to the standard Tubex guard if required. 

tubex range - tubes

Tubex supply tubes in 5 height sizes :  0.6 metre, 0.75m, 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8m. The height of tube you choose will obviously depend on which animals you wish to protect your trees from.  The following are the recommended heights for the main species of browsing animals:

Advantages of Tubes

• Maximum protection from rabbits, hare, deer, sheep, goats etc.

• Boosts growth by 50 - 100%

• Prevents damage from herbicides during spraying operations

• Prevents bracken and other broadleaf weeds falling in on trees in the autumn

• Will protect garden shrubs/plants from dogs, cats etc.

Forestry Uses

• Small sites with very high fence ratios (250 - 350 metres fencing/ha.) where rabbits/hare or deer are a major threat.

• To comply with the compulsory broadleaf element of new afforestation projects where the Forest Service have agreed to a reduced stocking usually 625 trees/ha, provided they are protected by 1.8m tree shelters

• Sites where rabbits are in field burrows

• Sites where deer fencing is required, especially those sites with high fence ratios as deer fencing can cost from  €10 to €16 per metre depending on the site.

• Filling-in existing 2-4 year old plantations which were not deer or rabbit fenced originally, and where they are now a major problem.

• Native Woodland Conservation sites where planting will be in small coupes of 100 - 1,000 trees

• To protect naturally regenerated seedlings as soon as they emerge, again in a Native Woodland Conservation setting.

• Acting as a hebicide guard especially with Round Up which can be safely applied at any time of the year, as the tube acts as cowl preventing the chemical hitting the tree.

• Agroforestry Scheme which the requires the use of 1.5m tree shelters.
  

  NB: for ACRES agri scheme:

  all trees have to be fitted with a minimum height 75cm Tubex standard & stake
  

Tubex Range - Spirals/Easywraps

Spiral guards when in stock are 60cm x 38mm.

Spirals provide low cost protection for whips and standards from rabbits and hares. We also offer a 60cm Biodegradable Spiral.

Easywraps are similar to spirals but are solid and open out or unfold like a ''swiss roll'', they are avilable in two sizes 60cm x 38mm, and 75cm x 38mm. Both spirals and Easywraps are ideal for hedging. Many foresters and contractors prefer Easywraps as the also offer increased protection from herbicide damage during spraying operations. Spirals are better suited for multi-branched trees at planting time.

NB: If the tree is under 70cms in height a bamboo cane will be required to support both the spiral and Easywrap.

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Guideline Prices Standard Tree Shelters 2024/25

T & S : Tube  & Stake

All stakes are treated softwood fourway pointed.  Stakes for 60cm tubes are 75cm x 25mm x 25mm, for 75 cm tubes are 90cm x 25mm x 25mm square. Stakes for 1.2m are 1.35m x 32 mm x 32 mm square. For the 1.5m tree shelter we supply a 1.65m x 44mm x 44mm square stake..

We recommend a 2m x 50mm x 50mm x 50mm approx stake for the 1.8m tree shelter. Sometimes, but not always we have stock at €3.50 plus VAT per stake - contact us to check for availability. You might be able to source a similar stake from suppliers near your area.

ACRES Scheme requires a minimum 75cm Tubex standard with stake for all trees planted under the scheme. A 1.2m can also be used if

preferred,

ALL PRICES PLUS VAT & DELIVERY @ 23% or you can collect by appointment.