TE6: Tree guard (tube and mesh)

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£3.95 per guard

How this item benefits the environment

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

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:

• CHRW2: Manage hedgerows

You can only use this item when planting trees with these capital items:

• AF1: Plant an agroforestry woodland tree
• AF2: Plant an agroforestry fruit tree
• TE1: Planting standard hedgerow tree
• TE2: Planting standard parkland tree
• TE3: Planting fruit trees
• TE4: Supply and plant tree

You cannot use this item with:

• TE7: Tree guard (wood post and rail)
• TE8: Tree guard (wood post and wire)

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• erect tree guards at least 1.5 metres (m) 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

Read 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.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide. *[m]: metres