--Characteristics--
Also sometimes known as the Giant Arbor-vitae, the Western Red Cedar was introduced into Britain from North America in 1853 as a parkland ornamental tree. A tall, narrow tree, it is a cypress, rather than a cedar. It has become a popular alternative to Leylandii as a fragrant evergreen hedge.
Site and soil
The Western Red Cedar does well in any well-drained soil and is very tolerant of shade. Does best in areas of high rainfall which give it the moist atmosphere it prefers.
Height and spread
After 10 years: 2.4m x 1.2m
After 20 years: 6m x 1.5m
Leaf and bark
The small, scale-like leaves are borne in flat sprays. They are dark green on the upper surface, paler beneath, and strongly pineapple scented. The bark is reddish, deeply fissured and fibrous.
Flower, seed and fruit
The small flowers open in March, the females yellowish-green, the males red with pale yellow pollen. The cones are 1-2cm long, ripening from green to brown.
Uses
Hedges, shelter, ornamental tree. A good alternative to Leylandii if a slower growing, dense evergreen hedge is required. The very durable timber is both light and strong, and is used for cladding, roof shingles, ladders, garden sheds and rugby posts. Native Americans used Western Red Cedar for canoes and totem poles. The fibrous bark has also been used to make rope and clothing.
Wildlife
The Western Red Cedar’s dense habit provides good shelter for birds in bad weather. Insects shelter in the deeply fissured bark and are a food source for birds.
--Plant Protection--
--Planting & Care--
Aftercare
Hedges should be trimmed twice a year in June and September to keep growth dense. If necessary, they can be cut back into old growth without creating bare patches.
The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
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| Vole, Mice 20cm |
Rabbit 60cm |
Hare 75cm |
Roe Deer, Muntjac 1.20m |
Fallow Deer 1.50m |
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
![]() Vole, Mice 20cm |
Vole Guard 20cm |
None required |
| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
![]() Rabbit 60cm |
Spiral Guard* 60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
| Tubex Easywrap* 60cm x 50-65mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
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| Mesh Guard with Spray Shield 60cm x 130mm |
2 x Bamboo Canes 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
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| Tubex Fruitwrap* 60cm x 65-80mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbs |
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| Tubex Ecostart* 60cm x 57-73cm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Tree Shelter 60cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shrub Shelter 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs 60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mm |
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| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
![]() Hare 75cm |
Tubex Easywrap* 75cm x 50-65mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
| Spiral Guard* 75cm x 50mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
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| Tubex Fruitwrap* 75cm x 65-80mm *Not recommended for this species |
Bamboo Cane 90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbs |
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| Tubex Ecostart* 75cm x 57-73mm *Not recommended for this species |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Tree Shelter 75cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Combitube 75cm x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 90cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shrub Shelter 75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mm |
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| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
![]() Roe Deer/Muntjac 1.20m |
Tubex Tree Shelter 1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
| Tubex Combitube 1.20m x 73-105mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 1.20m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 1.20m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mm |
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| Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard 1.20m x 300mm |
Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mm |
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| Pest & Minimum Protection Height | Protection Type Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants. |
Support Required Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites. |
| Sorted by price; lowest to highest | ||
Fallow Deer1.50m |
Tubex Tree Shelter 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
| Tubex Combitube 1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
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| Tubex Treeguard Mesh Tube 1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm |
Square Sawn Tree Stake 1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mm |
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| Galvanised Mesh Tree Guard 1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm |
Machine Rounded Tree Stake 1.80m x 60mm |
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Spraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.





