Mesh Shelters

Open-structured shelters balancing protection with airflow for vigorous, healthy establishment.

Vigilis Mesh Guards provide robust, open-sided protection for young trees and shrubs, allowing natural airflow and light while defending against deer, rabbit, and livestock browsing and bark-stripping. Available in recyclable polypropylene or soil-biodegradable formats, they are the preferred choice for agroforestry, hedgerow planting, estate management, and rewilding schemes.

Mesh Shelters Products

Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard biodegradable mesh tree shelter
Mesh Shelters

Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard

Soil Biodegradable

0.6–1.8m 2ft–6ft Biodegradable
Vigilis Mesh Guard recyclable mesh tree shelter
Mesh Shelters

Vigilis Mesh Guard

Recyclable & Collectable

0.6–1.8m 2ft–6ft Recyclable

Which size do I need?

Match your site's predation pressure to the right guard height

By predation height

0.6m 2ft

Rabbits

Standard UK planting requirement

0.75m 2.5ft

Hares

Open farmland & upland sites

1.2m 4ft

Roe Deer

Woodland edge & upland sites

1.5m 5ft

Fallow Deer

Lowland estates & parkland

1.8m 6ft

Red & Sika Deer

Highland & high-pressure sites

Heights shown are the minimum recommended guard height for each predation type. On mixed-pressure sites, always specify the higher guard height. For vole and field mouse protection, see our Voleguards category.

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Mesh Shelters are used in

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Forestry

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Rewilding

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Landscaping

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Agroforestry

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use a mesh guard instead of a solid tube shelter?
Mesh guards are better suited to species that benefit from free airflow — including conifers, most hedgerow plants, and trees on warmer or more humid sites where tube moisture build-up is a concern. They encourage a stronger, more wind-hardened stem and a more natural growth habit than solid tubes. Solid tube shelters deliver greater warmth and growth acceleration in cold, exposed locations — if maximum early establishment speed is the priority, tubes may outperform mesh.
What animals do mesh guards protect against?
Vigilis Mesh Guards protect against rabbits, hares, deer (height-dependent), and livestock browsing and bark-stripping. Unlike solid tube shelters, rigid mesh also guards against antler rubbing damage, as the guard prevents deer from getting close enough to the stem. Note that very small rodents such as voles can enter through the mesh — maintaining a clear vegetation-free area around the base reduces vole pressure.
What height mesh guard do I need?
Height requirements are the same as for tube shelters: 0.6 m–0.75 m for rabbit and hare control; 1.2 m for roe deer and muntjac; 1.8 m for fallow, sika, red deer, or where cattle are present. Always match height to the largest browsing species on site. See Forest Research's deer management guidance for a full species breakdown.
Are mesh guards suitable for agroforestry and estate planting?
Yes — mesh guards are widely used in silvoarable and silvopasture agroforestry systems where trees need protection from livestock while maintaining an open, natural appearance in the landscape. Their rigid construction also withstands the accidental mechanical contact that is common in managed agricultural settings. For ELM-funded agroforestry schemes, confirm accepted products with your scheme adviser.
What is the Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard?
The Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard offers the same open-sided protection as the standard Mesh Guard but is made from plant-based, soil-biodegradable materials — fully plastic-free. It degrades naturally in the soil at end of life with no collection required, making it ideal for remote sites or grant schemes with plastic-reduction conditions. To find a stockist, use our distributor finder.

Mesh Guards: Open-Sided Tree Protection for Woodland, Agroforestry, and Estate Planting

Vigilis Mesh Guards provide a robust alternative to solid tube shelters, combining effective deer and rabbit protection with the open, airy construction that many tree species prefer. The mesh allows free airflow and lateral light to reach the growing stem, encouraging a more wind-hardened, naturally shaped tree than you typically get from tube-sheltered growth. They are equally at home in large-scale forestry schemes, agroforestry systems, estate parkland, and rewilding projects.

Mesh Guard vs Tube Shelter: Which Is Right for Your Site?

Tube shelters deliver faster early growth through the microclimate effect — raised temperature and CO₂ inside the tube accelerate development, which is especially valuable in cold or exposed upland sites. Mesh guards are the better choice where airflow is a priority: for conifers, hedgerow species, and trees in humid lowland settings prone to fungal disease. They also provide greater protection against antler rub and bark-stripping than solid tubes, making them effective on sites with high deer pressure of that type. The Forestry Commission’s technical guide to tree shelters and guards covers the evidence base for both approaches.

Biodegradable and Recyclable Options

The Vigilis Mesh Guard is made from UV-stabilised recyclable polypropylene and can be returned through our Protect, Collect, Recycle scheme at end of life. The Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard is fully soil biodegradable and plastic-free — it degrades in situ with no collection required, reducing the whole-life cost and management burden for remote or inaccessible sites.

Applications and Where to Buy

Mesh guards are used across commercial forestry, hedgerow creation, rewilding, agroforestry, parkland, and amenity planting. To find your nearest Vigilis stockist, visit our distributor finder, or contact the Vigilis team for project advice and volume pricing.