Who’s been nibbling my plants? cont.

At a couple of the UGLN Lorax Project sites we have had trouble with two large herbivores, deer and wallabies, browsing on the plants. To try and overcome this issue at certain sites this year we have started to use the large (900mm tall) mesh tree guards.

Kangaroo at a wire mesh tree guard.

Two types have been used, plastic mesh and wire mesh. Being mesh, the plants will still blow around in the wind and shouldn’t become spindly and weak.

The rare Round-leaf Pomaderris protected by a tall guard.

Plastic mesh guard

The cost is around $4.30 to guard and stake each plant. This includes 3 x 1200mm stakes and 1 x 900mm mesh guard. Stakes can be purchased from GATE Enterprises in Seymour for 72c each. Plastic or wire mesh guards are from Arborgreen or Suregro at around $2.15 each.

Plant selection is also important, although usually by trial and error. Prickly species and others with a strong odour such as Eucalypts and Olearia’s are often not touched except maybe out of curiosity. I have found Gahnia and Carex species are also left alone.

These species could be planted with standard guards while plants like acacias, indigofera and she-oaks especially would benefit from the extra protection.

Chris Cobern. UGLN Landcare Co-ordinator.

Around the clock protection.