Inexpensive Tree Protectors

Plastic

• Plastic guards protect trees from rodents and weed trimmers, and their white color prevents winter injury from temperature fluctuations. However, these guards have to be removed every summer so that trunk-boring insects don't settle in behind them. Another drawback is that the white color breaks down in ultra-violet light.

Hardware Cloth

• Galvanized hardware cloth, or mesh, is durable. It costs more than plastic products initially, but you won't have to remove or repalce it with the change of seasons. Paint the trunk with white latex interior paint, then embed the guard at least 2 inches into the ground to deter rodents. Place it far enough from the trunk to allow for growth.

Lawn Edging

• A ring of lawn edging around a tree trunk prevents damage from mowing and weed trimming. Save money by using leftover lawn edging from a bigger project. As a general precaution, pull weeds by hand near tree trunks.