TE6: Tree guard (tube and mesh)

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

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 2 April 2015
• Last updated: 5 August 2024 — See all updates

• Grant type: Capital item
• Land use: Trees (non-woodland), Uplands
• Tiers or standalone items: Higher Tier, Mid Tier
• Funding (per unit per year): Up to £100

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:

• ORH1: Manage traditional orchards
• CHRW2: Manage hedgerows
• WOD1: Manage wood pasture and parkland

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

Where you cannot use this item

You cannot use this item with:

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

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:

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

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

1. 24 July 2024

   TBC

2. 9 May 2024

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

3. 9 March 2017

   Updated for 2017 applications.

4. 29 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016.

5. 2 April 2015

   First published.