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Why is There Plastic in the Forest? The Unexpected Benefits of Tree Shelters

24 January 2025

A countryside installation with hundreds of tree shelters in a line. The sun is above.

We all know plastic pollution is a major environmental concern, so it might seem strange to find plastic in the forest.  Yet quite often you’ll see plastic tubes throughout woodland environments.

These plastic tubes, known as tree shelters, play a vital role in establishing healthy new trees, and are becoming increasingly recognised for their contribution to successful reforestation efforts. From promoting faster growth to increasing survival rates, plastic tree shelters provide a versatile tool for safeguarding and expanding green spaces whilst simultaneously minimising environmental impact.

 

The Benefits of Plastic Tree Shelters

Let’s take a closer look at the multiple benefits plastic tree shelters offer.

Protection from the elements: Young trees are incredibly vulnerable. Strong winds, scorching sunlight, frost, and heavy rain can cause significant damage or even death. Tree shelters act as a barrier, protecting the sapling from the elements.

Predator and pest control: Deer, rabbits and other herbivores love to browse on young trees, hindering their growth or killing them outright. Tree shelters provide a physical deterrent, preventing these animals from accessing the sapling. Additionally, they can help to protect against insect pests and diseases.

Optimised growth conditions: By creating a hyper-localised microclimate, tree shelters increase humidity levels around the sapling. This reduces water loss through transpiration, allowing the tree to utilise water more efficiently. The warmer temperatures within the shelter can also accelerate growth rates.

Weed suppression: Competition from weeds can be detrimental to young trees. Tree shelters effectively suppress weed growth, giving the sapling a competitive advantage in acquiring essential nutrients and water.

Tubex Tree Shelters in a field.

The Role of Plastic Tree Shelters in Reforestation

Reforestation is a complex process, but tree shelters have proven to be valuable tools for increasing success rates. By protecting young trees during their critical establishment phase, plastic tree shelters enhance survival rates and accelerate forest regeneration.

Cost-Effective: While tree shelters require an initial investment, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. By significantly improving tree survival rates, shelters reduce the need for costly and labour-intensive replanting. This results in overall time and money savings, making reforestation projects more efficient and sustainable.

Ecological Benefits: Successful reforestation contributes to carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and soil stabilisation. Healthy forests absorb carbon dioxide, support diverse species and reduce soil erosion. Tree shelters play a crucial role in these environmental goals by ensuring young trees grow into mature, thriving forests.

 

Materials and Sustainability

Given the growing awareness of plastic pollution, the material composition of tree shelters has become a critical consideration. Fortunately, advancements in plastic technology, a commitment to sustainability and recycling initiatives have led to more environmentally friendly options.

A recent study presented at the Forest Working Plastics Group in November 2022 confirmed that, where tree shelters are required, plastic tree shelters made from recycled materials have the lowest environmental impact.

The key to this sustainability is circularity. Products like our Tubex Standard range incorporate recycled materials from the outset. After these shelters have done their job, they can then be collected and recycled through our Collection & Recycling Programme, creating a closed-loop system.

Advances have also been made in biodegradable technologies, as demonstrated by our Tubex Nature Standard range. Composed of bio-based materials derived from sugarcane, corn, and starch, these tree shelters break down naturally into water and CO2 through a microbiological process, minimising waste in hard-to-reach areas where the collection of tree shelters might be unfeasible.

 

Can plastic help our forests?

While we must remain ever-vigilant about how we use plastic, it is clear that there is a positive role plastic tree shelters play in helping our forests – from protecting young saplings to significantly aiding reforestation efforts.  When combined with new innovations and advancements in recycled and biodegradable materials, tree shelters are becoming even more environmentally friendly.

Learn more about our approach to sustainability.