Recently, trustee David Taylor led a team of eight volunteers in the task of clearing up redundant tree guards. The location was an East Sussex rural estate near Ditchling and within the National Park. Lying at the foot of the escarpment, with magnificent views of the Downs and Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Wood, the team enjoyed perfect weather.

Our fantastic volunteers spent half a day removing around 1500 plastic spiral tree guards and canes from mature saplings. The tree guards had clearly done their job and were now a threat to the plant and the environment.

Removing redundant spiral tree guards is a vital maintenance step that prevents tree rot, bark damage, and plastic pollution in our ecosystems. Once a hedge or sapling has matured enough to survive local wildlife browsing—usually 3 to 5 years after planting—the guards become redundant. If left too long, PVC spirals degrade into brittle fragments, polluting the soil and watercourses.

The Friends of the South Downs actively lead campaigns and volunteer task-force days to clean up the downs, clear out forgotten guards, and ensure they are processed for recycling or upcycling.

If you find large areas of fallen or redundant tree guards whilst out and about in the National Park, please send the location details and a photograph to enquiries@friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk. We will attempt to contact the landowner and arrange a clean up day.