--Introduction--
Oceanos was crafted by Rainbow with a purpose: safeguarding young trees whilst preserving oceans.
Made from Oceanomer, their innovative recycled plastic material composed of a minimum of 50% recycled ocean-bound and post-consumer waste, Oceanos offers all the benefits of a conventional tree shelter whilst contributing to cleaner oceans and waterways.
Designed to last a minimum of 5 years, Oceanos creates a favourable microclimate to boost plant development during the crucial early stages of growth. It shields young trees from browsing animals and herbicide spray, significantly increasing their survival rates.
Benefits
- Protects from browsing animals.
- Protects from herbicide spray.
- Creates microclimate to promote healthy growth.
- Easy installation – comes with pre-fitted releasable cable ties.
Installation (view the installation tab above for a more comprehensive installation guide)
- Plant bare root or cell grown plant
- Insert stake next to plant
- Install tube over plant, gently pushing into ground
- Tighten pre-fitted cable ties around stake
- Plan for removal and recycling at end of life once the tree is established
--Specification--
| Dimensions | Oceanos Tree Shelter |
| Height | 1.2m |
| Diameter | 73-110mm |
| Number of cable ties | 2 |
| Type of cable ties | Releasable |
| Length of cable tie | 280mm (11inch) |
| Height of top cable tie from ground | 820mm |
| Height of bottom cable tie from ground | 240mm |
| Average weight/tube | 160g |
* Manufacturing tolerance of tube height +/- 25mm
** Manufacturing tolerance of cable tie height +/- 15mm
| Packaging | Oceanos Tree Shelter |
| Nest | 5 |
| Bundle | 100 |
| Bag or strap banded | Strap banded |
| Material · For all sizes | |
| Tube | Polypropylene (50% recycled ocean bound and post consumer waste) |
| Cable tie | Nylon |
| Tube colour | Green |
| Service life (tube) | Minimum 5 years |
| Biodegradable | No |
| End of life | Remove for recycling |
| Recyclable | Yes |
| Recycling options | Use a local Recycling Centre and the bin for 'Plastic' (Code 5 PP). Or contact Tubex for details of their Collection & Recycling scheme. Or use a similar agricultural recycling service. |
| Recommended support | Stake |
--Features & Benefits--
Manufactured from Oceanomer
Manufactured from Oceanomer, an innovative recycled plastic material composed of a minimum of 50% recycled ocean-bound and post-consumer waste.
Plant Welfare
Animal protection
Protects young plants from bark-stripping and browsing animals.
Herbicide protection
The tube protects from herbicide spray.
Light transmission
Creates a mini greenhouse effect, encouraging growth.
Wind protection
Delivers wind break effect, protecting plants on exposed sites.
Flared rim
To minimise stem abrasion.
Laser-line
To allow the tree to break free.
Lifespan
UV stabilised polypropylene
Provides minimum 5 years protection.
Twin walled
Delivers best strength to weight ratio.
Recyclable
Through commercial PP recycling centre or via the Tubex Collection & Recycling Scheme.
Installation
Nested
For ease of movement around site.
Pre-fitted cable ties
Thumb-releasable for easy installation & maintenance.
Green colour
Blends into background.
--Range Choices--
Height
Identify which damaging agent (animal) you wish to protect your plants from.
This will influence the height of your protection and the wooden stake to support it.
Depending on the height selected, Tree Shelters can help protect against voles, rabbits, hare and deer.
Oceanos Tree Shelters - Available sizes
| Protecting against | Vole | Rabbit | Hare | Muntjac, Roe Deer | Fallow Deer | Red Deer |
| Minimum height of tube for protection | 20cm | 60cm | 75cm | 1.20m | 1.50m | 1.80m |
| Height of supporting stake* | Not required | 75cm | 90cm | 1.20m or 1.35m | 1.50m | 1.80m |
| Diameter type | N/A | Standard | Standard | Standard or Standard Plus | Standard Plus | Standard Plus |
*It is advisable to use a longer stake for sandier, lighter soils.
Diameter
Tubes are nested (one inside the other), to save space and time when moving plant protection around a site.
Diameters describe the range of diameters you will find in a nest of tubes, from the smallest to the largest.
Rainbow Oceanos comes in nests of 5 with a diameter range of 73-110mm. 
--Installation--
Plant
Planting bare root or cell grown plants is a straightforward task, however, do not attempt to plant if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Find a suitable position for your plants, bearing in mind future growth and potential height and spread at maturity.
Bare rooted or cell grown plants can be 'notch' planted in 3 steps:
1. Begin by inserting the blade of a spade into the ground. Push the spade handle away from you and then bring it back towards you. Once you remove the spade, you will see that you have created a cavity or ‘notch’ in the ground.
2. For bare root - place the plant roots within the cavity and shake to ensure that all of the roots are in the cavity and pointing downwards.
For cell grown – place the cell gently into the ground. Ensure the top of the plug (the soil surrounding the roots) is positioned at 2 to 4cm below the surface to avoid drying out.
3. Fill the cavity with soil. Use your heel to firm the soil around the plant to remove any air pockets. Once planted, give them a good water if practical to do so.
You are now ready to install your support and protection.
Support
1. After planting, position the stake on the windward side if there are strong prevailing winds, and between 2cm to 5cm from the base of the plant.
2. Hammer the stake into the ground with a stake driver or mallet (ideally knocking 1/3 of its height into the ground). Ensure it is vertical (particularly important on sloping ground). The top of the stake should be below the top rim of the shelter and above the top cable tie.
Protect
1. Position the shelter over the tree, making sure not to damage any lateral branches, sliding the releasable tie wraps over the stake at the same time.
2. Push the shelter into the ground 1cm to 2cm. This forms a safe herbicide barrier and deters vermin from burrowing under the shelter.
3. Tighten the thumb releasable ratchet ties, ensuring the shelter is firmly positioned.
4. Tuck the tie ends into the holes in the shelter for neatness and to deter rubbing by deer or sheep.
Plan for removal and recycling of shelters at end of life once the tree is established.
--Download--
