Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard

Soil Biodegradable

Open mesh protection that encourages stronger, more wind-firm trees — and breaks down completely in the soil at end of life. No microplastic residue, no retrieval labour, no landfill. Backed by Innovate UK R&D funding.

Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard biodegradable mesh tree shelter

Product Overview

Product Specifications

Diameter 130mm 5.1in
Colour Light Brown
Packaging Packs of 50
Material Soil biodegradable mesh. 12×12mm square holes with selvedge edge. Breaks down naturally after use.
Protects against

Rabbits

0.6m 2ft

Hares

0.75m 2.5ft

Roe Deer

1.2m 4ft

Fallow Deer

1.5m 5ft

Red & Sika Deer

1.8m 6ft

Available Sizes

SKU Height Fixings
202615 0.6m 2ft 1 Non-Releasable Biodegradable Cable Tie
202622 0.75m 2.5ft 2 Non-Releasable Biodegradable Cable Ties
202639 1.2m 4ft 2 Non-Releasable Biodegradable Cable Ties
202646 1.5m 5ft 2 Non-Releasable Biodegradable Cable Ties
202653 1.8m 6ft 2 Non-Releasable Biodegradable Cable Ties
Innovate UK Backed

Fully Soil-Biodegradable

Breaks down naturally in the soil — no retrieval labour, no plastic recovery, no landfill. Supported by £360,000+ in Innovate UK R&D grant funding.

Field-Trial Proven

UK's Largest Biodegradable Tree Guard Trial

Performance validated in the largest independent UK field trial for a biodegradable tree guard. Results available on request.

Downloads

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Bio Mesh Guard biodegradable?
The Vigilis Bio Mesh Guard is manufactured from certified plant-based materials rather than conventional plastic. The material degrades through natural microbial action in the soil once the guard's service life is complete, leaving no plastic residue. It is fully plastic-free and suitable for projects where plastic-free protection is required by grant conditions or environmental policy.
Do I need to remove the Bio Mesh Guard?
No — the Bio Mesh Guard is designed to be left in place. As the material begins to degrade after several years of service, it fragments and is absorbed into the soil without leaving plastic waste. This eliminates the cost and logistics of post-establishment collection, making it particularly valuable on remote planting sites or large-scale rewilding projects.
Is the Bio Mesh Guard accepted on Countryside Stewardship grant schemes?
Biodegradable guards are generally well received on Countryside Stewardship and other publicly funded schemes that include plastic-reduction conditions. We recommend confirming accepted products with your scheme adviser before placing an order. Product data sheets are available on request — contact us or speak to your Vigilis distributor.
How does the Bio Mesh Guard compare to the standard Mesh Guard for protection?
Both guards provide equivalent browsing and bark-stripping protection. The key difference is the end-of-life story: the Bio Mesh Guard degrades in situ, while the standard Mesh Guard is collected and recycled. Choose the Bio Mesh Guard for remote sites or grant-funded schemes; choose the standard guard where collection is straightforward and recyclability reporting is valued.

Ready to protect your planting?

Get in touch with the Vigilis team

We'll help you choose the right product and connect you with your nearest distributor.