Rainbow Bio Vole Guard

--Introduction--

Use it, leave it. The Rainbow Bio Vole Guard provides environmentally responsible protection for newly planted trees, whips and hedging plants, naturally biodegrading at the end of its useful life without the need for costly collection or disposal.

Designed specifically to protect young plants against voles and small ground-dwelling rodents, the Rainbow Bio Vole Guard offers effective protection for the vulnerable lower stem, where bark stripping and feeding damage are most likely to occur.

At 20cm high with an approximate 40–50mm diameter, this compact biodegradable guard provides targeted protection around the base of newly planted whips and young trees, helping to reduce plant losses and improve establishment success.

Manufactured from 100% plant-based biodegradable polymers, the Bio Vole Guard is designed to naturally break down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass over approximately 3–5 years, depending on climatic conditions and planting location. This eliminates the need for routine collection and disposal after use, saving time, labour and associated maintenance costs.

The flexible split-tube design allows the guard to be fitted quickly around an existing stem without the need to slide it over the top of the plant, making installation straightforward across large-scale woodland and hedgerow planting projects.

Its vented construction encourages natural airflow and allows light to reach the developing stem, while providing room for gradual stem expansion and helping to minimise the risk of restriction during growth.

Available in a natural light green or brown tint, the guard blends into woodland, hedgerow and countryside planting schemes, supporting sustainable land management without unnecessary visual impact.

Ideal for hedgerow establishment, field margins, woodland edges, farmland shelterbelts and biodiversity projects, the Rainbow Bio Vole Guard provides a practical fit-and-forget solution for environmentally responsible plant protection.

Benefits

• Specialist vole protection, shielding the vulnerable lower 20cm of young stems against bark stripping and feeding damage.

• 100% plant-based and biodegradable, breaking down naturally into water, carbon dioxide and biomass.

• Compact 20cm height, providing targeted protection where vole damage is most likely to occur.

• Approximate 40–50mm diameter, accommodating young whips and slender-stemmed trees.

• Flexible split-tube design, allowing quick installation without lifting or sliding the guard over the plant.

• Vented construction, encouraging healthy airflow and allowing light to reach the developing stem.

• Approximately 3–5 year biodegradation period, depending on environmental conditions.

• Quick, tool-free installation, helping reduce labour time across larger planting projects.

• Compatible with mulch mats and supporting stakes, making it suitable for different planting and establishment methods.

• No routine removal required, helping reduce maintenance costs and long-term waste.

Storage (view the installation tab above for a comprehensive installation guide)

• Prior to installation, please store in a dry environment, protected from prolonged exposure to moisture and direct sunlight.

Biodegradation and product lifespan depend on soil conditions, climate and planting location.

--Specification--

Dimensions

Rainbow Bio Vole Guard – 20cm

• Height: 20cm

• Diameter: Approximately 40–50mm

• Design: Flexible split-tube guard

• Construction: Vented structure

• Colour: Light green or brown tint

• Installation: Wrap-around design

• Recommended use: Protection against voles and small ground-dwelling rodents

• Compatible accessories: Mulch mats and supporting stakes

Material & Product Information

• Product name: Rainbow Bio Vole Guard

• Height: 20cm

• Diameter: Approximately 40–50mm

• Guard material: 100% plant-based biodegradable polymers

• Design: Flexible split-tube with ventilation

• Guard colour: Light green or brown tint

• Expected biodegradation period: Approximately 3–5 years, depending on site conditions

• Biodegradable: Yes

• Decomposition: Breaks down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass

• End of life: Leave guard in situ to biodegrade naturally

• Installation: Tool-free wrap-around fitting

• Compatible accessories: Mulch mats and supporting stakes

• Suitable plants: Young trees, forestry whips, hedgerow plants and slender-stemmed species

• Protection: Voles and small ground-dwelling rodents

• Applications: Hedgerows, woodland edges, field margins, farmland shelterbelts and environmental planting schemes

--Features & Benefits--

Plant Welfare

Specialist vole protection

Designed specifically to protect the lower stem of young trees and hedging plants against bark stripping and feeding damage caused by voles and small ground-dwelling rodents.

Targeted stem protection

The compact 20cm height concentrates protection around the vulnerable base of the plant, where vole activity and feeding damage are most likely to occur.

Light transmission

The vented structure allows natural light to reach the developing stem, helping to maintain healthy growing conditions during early establishment.

Improved ventilation

Integrated ventilation promotes airflow around the stem, helping to reduce excess moisture build-up and supporting healthy plant development.

Reduced stem restriction

The flexible split-tube construction allows room for natural stem expansion, helping minimise the risk of girdling when correctly installed and monitored.

Flexible split-tube design

Unlike fully enclosed rigid guards, the split-tube structure allows the product to be opened and positioned around the stem without disturbing developing foliage or branches.

Protection during establishment

Provides a physical barrier around newly planted whips and young trees, helping reduce damage during the important early stages of plant establishment.

Lifespan

100% biodegradable

Manufactured from 100% plant-based biodegradable polymers, the Rainbow Bio Vole Guard is designed to break down naturally rather than remain as persistent plastic waste.

Plant-based materials

Made from plant-derived polymers, providing an environmentally responsible alternative to conventional plastic vole and tree guards.

3–5 year biodegradation period

Designed to biodegrade over approximately 3–5 years, depending on weather, soil conditions and planting location.

Reduced plastic waste

Offers a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic vole guards, reducing the long-term environmental impact of plant protection across forestry and agricultural planting sites.

Flexible protection

The split-tube construction accommodates developing stems while maintaining a protective barrier around the lower section of the plant.

Natural biodegradation

As the guard reaches the end of its useful life, the biodegradable material progressively breaks down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass under suitable environmental conditions.

No removal required

The guard is designed to biodegrade naturally, removing the need for routine collection and disposal after establishment and helping reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Installation

Split-tube design

The flexible split-tube construction allows the guard to be opened and fitted directly around young stems without the need to slide it over the top of the plant.

Tool-free installation

Designed for quick fitting without specialist tools or additional fixings, making it suitable for large-scale planting projects.

Mulch mat compatibility

Can be used alongside mulch mats to combine lower-stem vole protection with surrounding weed suppression.

Stake compatibility

Suitable for use alongside supporting stakes where additional plant support is required.

Natural colour

The light green or brown-tinted material helps the guard blend into woodland, hedgerow and countryside planting schemes.

Quick installation

Designed for efficient deployment across forestry, agricultural and environmental planting projects where large quantities of young trees or whips require protection.

No removal needed

The biodegradable guard is designed to remain in place and break down naturally, helping reduce collection, transport and disposal costs after establishment.

--Range Choices--

Height

The Rainbow Bio Vole Guard featured in this listing is 20cm high, providing targeted protection against voles and other small ground-dwelling rodents.

Unlike taller tree shelters designed primarily to protect against rabbits, hares or deer, the 20cm Bio Vole Guard focuses on the vulnerable lower section of young stems where vole damage is most likely to occur.

Its compact design makes it particularly suitable for newly planted whips, hedgerow plants and young trees in areas where vole activity poses a risk to planting success.

20cm Rainbow Bio Vole Guard

The 20cm guard is ideal for woodland edges, field margins, hedgerow establishment and other rural planting projects where small rodents may damage newly planted trees.

• Height: 20cm

• Diameter: Approximately 40–50mm

• Recommended use: Protecting young trees, whips and hedging plants against voles and small ground-dwelling rodents

• Design: Flexible split-tube with ventilation

• Installation: Tool-free wrap-around fitting

• Compatible accessories: Mulch mats and supporting stakes

The 20cm Bio Vole Guard is designed primarily for protection against voles and other small ground-dwelling rodents. Where rabbits, hares or deer are present, additional or taller plant protection may be required.

Diameter Types

The Rainbow Bio Vole Guard features an approximate 40–50mm diameter, providing a protective enclosure around the base of newly planted whips and young trees.

This diameter is particularly suitable for slender-stemmed plants that require targeted protection against ground-level browsing and bark stripping.

The flexible split-tube design can accommodate gradual stem expansion, helping to reduce the risk of restriction as the plant becomes established.

Suitable for:

• Young forestry whips – protects vulnerable lower stems against vole feeding and bark damage.

• Newly planted hedging – provides targeted protection for young native hedgerow species.

• Young broadleaf trees – shields developing stems from small rodent damage.

• Woodland edge planting – helps protect vulnerable plants where vole activity may be present.

• Field margin planting – supports the establishment of young trees and hedging along agricultural boundaries.

• Environmental planting – provides biodegradable stem protection for larger-scale planting and habitat restoration projects.

Applications

The Rainbow Bio Vole Guard is suited to a wide range of environmental, agricultural and landscape planting projects, including:

• Hedgerow creation and restoration – protecting newly planted hedging species against vole feeding and bark-stripping damage.

• Woodland edges and buffer zones – providing targeted lower-stem protection for vulnerable young trees.

• Field margin planting – supporting the establishment of young trees and hedgerows along agricultural boundaries.

• Agri-environment and countryside stewardship schemes – providing biodegradable plant protection for environmentally focused land management.

• Farmland rewilding projects – helping safeguard young plants within habitat restoration and biodiversity schemes.

• Shelterbelt establishment – protecting newly planted trees and shrubs in agricultural and exposed rural locations.

• Estate management and landscape restoration – providing practical protection across woodland, hedgerow and environmental planting projects.

• Biodiversity Net Gain projects – supporting the establishment of young plants within ecological enhancement and habitat creation schemes.

--Installation--

Plant

Planting bare root or cell grown whips and young trees is a straightforward task. However, do not attempt to plant if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

Select a suitable planting position, allowing for the plant's future height and spread at maturity. Where vole activity is known to be present, take particular care to ensure that newly planted stems receive appropriate protection.

Bare rooted or cell grown plants can be planted in three 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 have created a cavity or 'notch' in the ground.

2. For bare root plants – place the roots within the cavity, ensuring they are pointing downwards and are not folded or compressed. Gently shake the plant to help the roots settle into position.

   For cell grown plants – place the root plug gently into the ground, following the recommended planting depth for the species. Ensure the roots are properly covered and protected from drying out.

3. Fill the cavity with soil, gently firming around the plant to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting where practical.

You are now ready to install your protection.

Support

The Rainbow Bio Vole Guard features a flexible split-tube design and can be installed around newly planted stems without specialist installation equipment.

1. After planting, assess whether the young tree or whip requires additional support based on its height, species and growing conditions.

2. Where required, position a bamboo cane or suitable supporting stake close to the base of the plant, taking care not to damage the roots.

3. Push the support securely into the ground, ensuring it is positioned vertically and does not place unnecessary pressure on the developing stem.

4. If using a mulch mat, position it correctly around the plant before fitting the vole guard, ensuring the stem remains accessible.

5. Check that any supporting stake or mulch mat does not obstruct the fitting or ventilation of the Bio Vole Guard.

Protect

1. Carefully open the 20cm Rainbow Bio Vole Guard along its split section, allowing the guard to be positioned directly around the lower stem of the newly planted tree or hedging plant.

2. Position the guard around the base of the stem, ensuring the vulnerable lower section is enclosed without damaging developing shoots or branches.

3. Allow the approximate 40–50mm diameter to provide suitable space around the stem, ensuring the guard is not fitted too tightly and can accommodate natural growth.

4. Ensure the lower edge of the guard sits close to ground level to help prevent voles and other small rodents from accessing the vulnerable base of the plant.

5. Check that the split-tube guard is correctly positioned and provides continuous protective coverage around the lower stem.

6. Ensure the ventilation openings remain unobstructed, allowing natural airflow and light to reach the developing stem.

7. Where mulch mats or supporting stakes are used, ensure they remain securely positioned without interfering with the guard or restricting the plant.

8. Periodically inspect the guard during establishment to ensure the plant is growing freely and that the protective tube is not restricting developing stems. Adjust the guard if required.

9. No routine removal required – the Rainbow Bio Vole Guard is designed to remain in place and naturally biodegrade at the end of its useful life, reducing the need for collection and disposal.