Choosing the right Ekidna Tree Guard for your project

A simple, long-life tree protection system with two core sizes and flexible configurations to suit different animals, planting types and site conditions.

Designed as a practical alternative to exclusion fencing that creates maintenance and expensive post and rail guard systems

Start here: which guard do you need?

Most projects can be solved by choosing the right guard height based on the animals present. Ekidna Tree Guards are only vulnerable if animals can get their heads over the top of the guard.

If you’re unsure, we recommend starting with a small number to test in your specific conditions.

Choosing the right guard »
Animals you want to protect your trees from Recommended guard to use
Cattle, deer, kangaroos
Large Ekidna Guard to provide 1.7m of height
Sheep, pigs, wallabies, wombats, rabbits
Standard Ekidna Guard
Mixed or unsure
Trial by using the Large Ekidna Guard is safest

A flexible protection system

Ekidna Tree Guard sheets can be tied together in many different configurations. This allows you to:

  • adjust height for higher browsing pressure
  • increase diameter for larger trees or shrubs
  • adapt protection as plantings establish
Choosing the right guard »

Products (select for pricing)

Standard Ekidna Guard

Our original 1150 high x 1125 mm (36cm diameter) spiky metal guard. Suitable for sheep, wombats, wallabies and pigs.

Large Ekidna Guard

A larger 1700 high x 1125mm (36cm diameter or 54cm wrapped the other way) spiky metal guard. Suitable for protection against cattle, kangaroos and deer.

Custom Rebar Post Driver

A post driver designed to drive rebar posts up to our recommended 12mm. This lightweight driver will allow many hours of comfortable installation.

Frequently asked questions

There are two options for posts with Ekidna Guards – please note we do not supply any posts as it is cheaper to get them local to where you are. You can use either star pickets, new or used, or lengths of rebar cut into posts. About half our customers use each post type.

The advantage of rebar is that it is cheaper, lighter and has some flex. When using bar we recommend 12mm diameter. This comes as a standard 6m length from metal suppliers.

We recommend a minimum 1.5m long rebar post or 2m with the large guard if you have very high grazing pressure and want to be conservative. Always put 50cm in the ground. Our custom rebar driver is light enough to be used for many hours so it is worth purchasing if you have a decent sized project.

What ever posts you use we recommend use of three posts per guard although some customers have successfully only used two star pickets. It really depends on the type, size and behavior of animals you are protecting your trees from.

The longevity of the welded mesh will differ based on local climatic conditions. While our Australian wire supplier can not give us a specific year guarantee on the mesh, we see no reason why it would not last a minimum of 10 years and in many places a lot longer.

In the 5 years we have been selling these guards and tens of thousands installed we have not had a single report of injury to animals. 

Yes, you can pick up guards from one of our suppliers (please see the map on ‘How to buy’) or from our manufacturing partner at Hallam, Victoria.

Payment options are provided on the tax invoice we supply. Payment can be made via EFT or via credit card. No cash orders are available.