Frequently Asked Questions

In order to be able to transport efficiently, Tubex are nested with four or five differing diametres. The impacts of diametre in a tubes are minimal for the tree although large leaved species are best suited for the larger tube

If the support fails and the tube is leaning this should be dealt with as soon as possible as the tree will begin growing at an angle and could be subjected to browsing

Yes, all of Tubex products are manufactured at our site in Aberdare, Wales

The Tubex tube protects the plant from fungal attack while the plant is still inside the tube, especially if the spores are spread by wind. Once the plant emerges from the top of the tube it is again vulnerable to attack from wind borne spores.

If the tree already has an infestation of a pest such as Whooly Aphid when it comes from the nursery, then the Tubex tube can sometimes provide a safe environment for the pest to survive and where no insecticides and attack the pests. However, Tubex tubes do not encourage pests or diseases and in fact they positively protect the plant from wind-born spores such as Mildew.

In some very rare cases, birds can enter a tube and be unable to exit. Birds have been known to nest in tubes and where this is perceived as an issue, a net sock can be placed over the top of the tube until the tree emerges.

The ratio of root to shoot and also of height to diameter is sometimes affected when using very tall tubes. For example in a 1.5m tube, compared with a tree planted without a shelter, the tree inside the shelter can sometimes grow a little taller than would naturally occur given the diameter of the trunk, but this only happens whilst the tree is within the tube. As soon as the tree exits the shelter then the natural growth ratios return. If this is a concern then using ventilated shelters such as Combitube and Ventex will slow the growth of the tree/vine and actually enhance the root and stem growth beyond that achieved with no Tubex shelter.

Tree shelters allow wild animals to roam freely around the trees as they would in nature. Fencing keeps them out and limits their range. Tree shelters are therefore the prefered method of protection to maintain the freedom for deer and not force them into areas they do not usually go to.

Yes – this is not a problem. Once the snow starts to melt then because the inside of the tube gets a little warmer than outside, the snow will melt quicker. Up to that time there is little difference between snow inside and snow outside the tube.

The time span between investing in a new plantation and recovering some revenue from the crop, whether in fruit or timber, is reduced using Tubex as our tubes accelerate the growth. Therefore the investment return is speeded up. Also, maintenance operations such as weeding/replacing dead trees etc. is dramatically reduced by using Tubex guards. Finally, Tubex guards improve the shape or ‘form’ of the tree, so when it comes to trees grown for timber then using Tubex guards means greater value of timber can be secured from each tree.

Most hardwood tree species and also most vines thrive very well in Tubex tubes.

Different tree and shrub species prefer different types of tube, although most hardwood tree species in Europe respond to the benefits afforded by the environment in one form or another. Vines generally thrive in a tube. Check with Tubex for individual detail.

In ventilated tubes such as Tubex Ventex or Tubex Combitube, the tree benefits from a little ‘wind rocking’ which helps to strengthen the roots. It also helps to harden the bark of the stem and to reduce the temperature inside the shelter.

A solid tube, even with ventilation, creates a greenhouse effect and offers protection from herbicides and browsing. A net or mesh is purely a physical barrier to prevent browsing

Tubex shelters encourage vertical growth and reduce side branches within the tube. This gives a strong and straight stem to the tree, which is better for timber quality.

There is almost always an increase in temperature inside Tubex tubes (less so with ventilated tubes such as Combitube and Ventex) but our experience tells us that even in hot countries such as Spain, in most cases this is not enough to damage the tree or reduce growth rates. The increase is only around 2-6 degrees depending on conditions (wind etc.

Once the tree gets out of the top of the Tubex tube there is still a growth benefit – Tubex tubes reduce weeds and maintain moisture around the tree, so the tree continues to grow more strongly if using Tubex.

Yes, the 60 or 75cm solid tubes are beneficial for a conifer to protect against mice and rabbits.

If the support fails and the tube is leaning this should be dealt with as soon as possible as the tree will begin growing at an angle and could be subjected to browsing

Once the tube is no longer needed, you will need a safety knife to safely remove the tree shelter without harming the tree or yourself, and bulk bags to place the old tree shelters for recycling – you can recycle them for FREE through our Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme. With the safety knife cut the tube from top to bottom enabling the tube to be removed from the tree. Remove the cable ties and the stake, and place the tubes vertically and nested together in the bulk bags.

Download the below guide on how to remove a tree shelter: TUBEX Collection Recycling – How to Remove Tree Shelters 06.23.pdf

Once the tree emerges from the top of the tube the growth benefit is reducing but the tree is still protected from browsing by mice, rabbits, hares and deer. The tube should remain on the tree until such time as the threat is minimal bearing in mnd deer can rub agaisnt tree stems from several years after estsablishment

Tubex are photodegradable and in time will breakdown in direct sunlight. Storage in shade is prefered until use.

Tubex should be supported by a high quality stake to suit the height of the tube. Generally 32mm x 32mm or 30mm round are normal treated with approved protection. Stake timber species can be softwood or untreated hardwood like oak or Accacia.

Tubex are suitable for exposed sites with a high quality support stake. Combitube and Ventex as well as Treeguard products are suggested as the air is able to flow through the tube more easily and the tree inside gets used to being rocked by the wind

Most hardwood tree species and also most vines thrive very well in Tubex tubes.

Yes – this is not a problem. Once the snow starts to melt then because the inside of the tube gets a little warmer than outside, the snow will melt quicker. Up to that time there is little difference between snow inside and snow outside the tube.

Wraps are really used when there are large branches and also roots which mean it would be impossible to place a solid tube over the tree. Also, where growers/farmers need to gain access to the plant to remove small side shoots (such as with vines) then the wrap is easier. If neither of these factors are present then using a solid guard is mostly the best option as it is very secure from animal and herbicide damage.

Tubex have chosen the optimum colour for light transmission and also to ‘blend into’ the natural surroundings. In theory it is possible to use other colours but green seems best to us, although brown can offer certain advantages – please ask for details.

In ventilated tubes such as Tubex Ventex or Tubex Combitube, the tree benefits from a little ‘wind rocking’ which helps to strengthen the roots. It also helps to harden the bark of the stem and to reduce the temperature inside the shelter.

A solid tube, even with ventilation, creates a greenhouse effect and offers protection from herbicides and browsing. A net or mesh is purely a physical barrier to prevent browsing

Yes, all our recyclable tree shelters (made from PP and HDPE) can be recycled at their end of life. You can do so for FREE through our Tubex  Collection and Recycling Programme, and we will collect them and recycle them into new Tubex products, contibuting to a circular economy.

The Treeguard range of net products are made from 100% recycled polyethelene, which can be recycled again after use.

Tubex tubes are photodegradable, meaning they breakdown in sunlight. Ultimately, the tubes would break apart in situ but it is suggested that they are removed before this happens. We are developing a compostable solution to be launched in the upcomming months.

Nowadays, most of Tubex tubes are made from polypropylene, which stays in situ during the service life and can be removed in its entirity to be recycled leaving no trace or contamination. We just launch the Tubex Collection and Recycle programme to to offer a simple and effective solution to close the loop and ensure responsible disposal is within reach for everyone. Already, our standard tree shelters contain up to 30% of recycled content and our netting solutions contain up to 85%, our goal is that by the end of 2022 our tree shelters will be manufactured 100% out of recycled plastic.

As well we are working to develop a fully compostable at field solution.

Choosing the right tree protection for each location means the “most sustainable” option won’t be the same for every scenario. Each material choice has wider impacts and it’s important to remember biodegradable shelters are not a magic solution.

We recommend using recyclable shelters for easy access area where collection is possible, as recyclable PP shelters are still the lowest environmental impact option (LCA study here: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10130156/) and represent a circular use of materials vs. a linear economy where products are “made to waste”.

If collection isn’t possible due to limited access or dense woodland, we recommend our Tubex Nature biodegradable shelters as the most sustainable alternative.

Check out our dedicated blog on this matter here

We want to offer a simple and effective solution to ensure the responsible disposal and recycling of tree shelters at their end-of-life. With the FREE collection hubs across the UK we want to ensure that collection and recycling is within reach of everyone to promote a circular economy.

Recyclable PP shelters are still the lowest environmental impact option (Independent LCA study here: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10130156/) and represent a circular use of materials vs. a linear economy where products are “made to waste”.

Yes, you need to book a drop-off, we can not accept walk-ins at our hubs. It is very important that you check the dates available for each location above and contact the contact person to arrange a drop-off so we can allocate for someone to manage the collection.

Collections are available 1st May to 30th September, outside of the tree planting season. 

For drop off collections at our hubs – Please check above the dates each hub location is available, and contact them to arrange a drop-off.

For individual doorstep pickup collections – Please contact us to arrange an individual collection.

They can weight between 35-60kg depending upon the type of Tubex product and how efficiently they are filled. You should aim to pack 350-400 1.2m standard shelters nested and vertically. Check our guide on how to remove tree shelters here. ​

Once the tubes are collected, they are washed and shredded into flake, then repelletized and returned to Tubex where it is fed back into the manufacturing process of our Tubex recyclable products.

Currently, all recyclable Tubex products contain an average of 35% recycled polymer – with some like Tubex meshes being 100% recycled already. Our aim is to continue increasing the recycled content of our products up to 100% in the shortest time possible, so we can further increase their circularity and reduce our environmental impact and the use of new resources.

Drop-off collection – You can use any bulk sacks or request from the hub a Tubex bulk sack if needed.

Doorstep pick-up collection – You will need to buy the bags from Tubex or our distribution partners to enable the pick-up. Cost for individual collections is a flat-rate of £39 per bag collected – with a minimum order of 6 bags anywhere on UK mainland – T&Cs apply.

You’re responsible to collect your tubes and bag them up in the dumpy sacks – and we’ll take care from there. If you’ve booked a drop-off you will need to drop-off the bags at the hub. If you’ve booked a doorstep collection, we will arrange to collect your bags from you.

FREE Collection Hubs – There is no minimum amount of shelters/bags for drop-off collections at any of our free hubs across the UK. You can take as little as one bag.

Doorstep Pick Up Collections – The minimum order for individual collections is 6 bulk bags – you can order these through Tubex or our distribution partners at a flat-rate of £39 per bag collected anywhere on UK mainland. Collection for fewer than 6 bags or from UK islands will be priced on a case-by-case basis.

We accept any Tubex PP or PE tree shelters as part of the scheme, as well as any other manufacturers’ PP and PE tree shelters. We cannot accept any other materials, such as PVC spirals, bio-based or biodegradable material as they can pollute the recycling process. If you can remove the nylon zip ties from the shelters before bagging them up.

Any person with the need to dispose of tree shelters can use the Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme. Follow the instructions above to arrange a drop-off collection at at any of our free hubs across the UK, or to book an individual doorstep pickup collection.

Once the tube is no longer needed, you will need a safety knife to safely remove the tree shelter without harming the tree or yourself, and bulk bags to place the old tree shelters for recycling – you can recycle them for FREE through our Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme. With the safety knife cut the tube from top to bottom enabling the tube to be removed from the tree. Remove the cable ties and the stake, and place the tubes vertically and nested together in the bulk bags.

Download the below guide on how to remove a tree shelter: TUBEX Collection Recycling – How to Remove Tree Shelters 06.23.pdf