W W W . P R O T E C T . E A R T H
Competition from grass and weeds is the primary cause of failure in young woodlands. Grass and weeds are very efficient at sucking up moisture and nutrients before they reach the tree's roots.
The Goal: Keep a 1-metre diameter circle weed-free around the base of the tree for the first three years. This significantly increases survival rates and growth speed.
Check Inside the Guard: Grass and weeds often thrive inside tree shelters because they act like mini-greenhouses. Carefully pull any growth from inside the guard by hand.
Unsure? Take a look at this short demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXbSG4xvL_E
Volunteers: Hand-weeding is a straightforward task and a great way to involve volunteers or local groups in the care of the woodland.
Mulching is the most effective way to support your weeding efforts.
A thick layer of wood chips or bark (about 3-4 inches deep) or mulch mats suppress weed growth and keep the soil moist during dry Spring and Summer spells. As the mulch breaks down, it improves soil health and prevents the "drought stress" that can stunt or kill young saplings.
The Doughnut Rule: Aim for a 1-metre circle of mulch around the tree, but keep it a few inches away from the trunk itself. Piling it against the bark can cause rot.
Free Wood chips: You can often source free mulch for your project here: freewoodchips.co.uk
Tree guards, shelters, and spirals protect your saplings from being eaten or damaged. To be effective, they usually need to stay in place for 3 to 5 years (5 years is recommended if you have a high deer population).
Check & Straighten: Ensure all shelters, stakes, and canes are upright and firm in the ground. If a guard has fallen over, or is at a funny angle, try your best to straighten it.
Close the Gap: Make sure there is no gap between the bottom of the guard and the ground. This prevents voles and rabbits from getting underneath to nibble the bark.
Damaged Items: If you find broken stakes or damaged shelters that you cannot fix, let us know and we can provide replacements.
Young trees are most vulnerable during their first few years. Keep an eye on the weather and the appearance of your trees during the Spring and Summer.
Signs of Stress: Look for leaves that are yellowing, wilting, or curling up. These are signs of "drought stress."
When to Contact Us: If you notice these signs or if your area experiences a prolonged period of drought, please let us know so we can advise on the best course of action.
While it’s tempting to keep the site "tidy," mowing is generally not required for the health of your trees. In fact, mowing can make grass growth more vigorous and thirstier for water.
Stay Clear: If you do mow (for paths or access), keep at least 1 metre away from the base of your trees. Lawnmowers and strimmers are the leading cause of bark damage, which can "ring-bark" and kill a young sapling.
Support Biodiversity: Keeping long grass around saplings provides habitat for voles, insects, and ground-nesting birds. It also helps camouflage the trees, making them less obvious to deer.
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It is normal for about 10–15% of new saplings not to survive their first year. Identifying these early is vital so we can plan for "restocking" (replacing dead trees) in the next planting season. While Protect Earth staff try to visit periodically, you can help us reduce cost and mileage by keeping an eye on survival rates yourself.
How to Check (The Scratch Test): If a tree looks dead, don't pull it out. Use your fingernail or a small knife to gently scratch a tiny bit of bark away from the main stem.
Marking Failures: If you find a dead tree, leave it in the ground, and keep the guard and stake in place; it may still regrow from the roots. Mark the top of the guard with spray paint or permanent marker, or tie a piece of biodegradable string to the stake. This identifies the location for future checks and ensures we can reuse the guard and stake if we need to restock.
Reporting Back: Let us know if you notice a high number of losses in a specific area. This helps us work out how many replacement trees and stakes we need to bring for the next winter.